From Chars to Santeuil via the Buttes de Rosne

Take line J from Paris Saint-Lazare towards Gisors and get off at Chars.

(S) From the station, take the Sentier Pavet, which starts opposite the station. Then turn left when you reach a road, then immediately turn sharp right onto Rue de la Villetertre. This road climbs gently above Chars and turns into a track: follow this track as it winds through the fields.

(1) At the first junction with a^{PR® sign}, at La Cavée, carry on straight ahead and head down towards the railway line. The path runs quite close to the railway line. Then turn right at the first junction near the Étang de Vivier le Comte. Cross the railway line via a level crossing and begin a gentle climb.

(2) On reaching the Bois de Beaumont, take the first track on the right. Stay on this track until it ends. On the second section, there is a direct view of the route’s destination: the Buttes de Rosnes. The track ends on the Route de Saint-Cyr.

(3): Follow it to the left, passing a few houses in Romesnil, then take the first right towards La Pierre Frite (signposted). Carry straight on at the next junction. The road gives way to a track which you should follow. Then ignore the next two tracks coming from the left, keeping to the right, until you reach the Menhir de la Pierre Frite. This menhir is situated on the edge of a wood, just after a left-hand bend.

(4) At the next junction, turn right onto a track that leads downhill and offers a view of the Buttes de Rosne and Chavençon. Follow the track to the D3.

(5) Take the road opposite until you reach the junction

(6) Turn right at the hairpin bend when you reach the road, then immediately turn left onto the Route de Goupillon. Follow this road past a private property.

(7) Then turn onto the first path on the right (^PR®). You’ll then begin a short climb leading directly to the Buttes de Rosne, parts of which are shaded by pine trees. Ignore a small path coming from the left, then, at the next two junctions, keep to the left.

(8) You will then reach a star-shaped junction; take the second path leading off to the right. Leave the^PR® and join another one at the next junction: keep to the right. Then continue straight on along the^GR® at the next fork.

(9) From there, at each junction, carry on straight ahead until you reach the signpost: “Buttes de Rosne; altitude 213 m; highest point of the ‘Le toit du Vexin’ route”. Then take the track on the left. Follow this track until you reach the first path coming from the right.

(10) Take this path. Ignore the first two paths on the right, which lead to private land. At the third junction, ignore the path on the left, which leads to a house. From there, carry on straight ahead at every junction until it is no longer possible to continue straight ahead.

(11) Then turn left onto a^PR®. The path then becomes a track and leads to the D188, which you follow to the right towards Le Heaulme. Pass through the village, continuing straight on at the first two junctions.

(12) At the third junction, turn left onto Rue de Marines towards the cemetery. Walk past the cemetery and stay on the road until you reach the first^{PR® sign} coming from the right (markers).

(13) At this junction, take the path heading south-west towards Marines. This path is quite wide and passes close to a few ponds. Take the first path on the right, which runs alongside a mountain bike trail. Then take the first path on the left and reach Marines via Les Hautiers. The path then joins Rue du Maréchal Foch: follow it to the right.

(14) Then turn immediately left onto a lane that turns into a track and runs alongside fields. At the first junction, turn right towards the centre of Marines. At the second, turn left onto a track that leads to the old railway line linking Marines to Chars.

(15) At this junction, turn sharp right and go under the D28 to reach the end of the greenway. Continue straight on along a narrow lane until you reach the tourist office. Then turn left onto a cul-de-sac (Rue de la Croix des Vignes) which leads onto Boulevard Gambetta.

(16) Cross it at the pedestrian crossing and take the second street on the right (Rue du Goulet). Cross Avenue du 18 Juin and follow the^GR®1past the Marines cemetery and along Rue du Goulet. Once you’ve passed the cemetery, at the junction with Rue de la Métairie, carry straight on along the^GR®. You’ll pass a sewage treatment plant: at this point, carry straight on along a track that runs under the D915.

(17) Turn right at a right angle towards the south. After this turn, leave the track and turn right onto another track. Follow this track until you reach the road (D51).

(18) Turn right onto a track used by the^GR®1D. Ignore the next track coming from the right and enter a woodland on a downhill path. At the end of the track, continue along a narrow lane until it ends at the Place des Tilleuls. Then take Rue de la Viosne, which starts at the south-eastern corner of the square. Cross the stream of the same name near a wash house and cross the railway line at a level crossing.

(19) Then turn left onto a track and keep left onto a path that runs alongside the railway line for a good kilometre, passing close to the Abri des Cousins. The path then turns into a narrow lane that leads directly to Santeuil station. End of the walk (E).

You can have a picnic when you arrive at Le Heaulme

Plan carefully and check journey times: trains do not run every hour. Alternatively, come by car, making arrangements to leave one car in Santeuil and another in Chars.

Places to see:
- La Pierre Frite.
- The Buttes de Rosne.

Enjoy the various panoramic views