From Crouy-sur-Ourcq to Lizy-sur-Ourcq along the canal

Starting point and access: Crouy-sur-Ourcq station
- Transilien - Line P, on the section between Meaux and La Ferté-Milon.
Go to the end of the platform to take the Avenue de la Gare exit, at the rear of the train when arriving on track 1 (in the direction of Meaux to La Ferté-Milon), at the front of the train when arriving on track 2 (in the opposite direction).

Red and white + yellow markings

(S) At the end of the platform, go through a small gate and turn right onto the road (cross the tracks at the level crossing if you have arrived on track 2). Cross the Ourcq, leave the town and follow the^GR®®11on the road.

(1) When the road turns right, continue straight ahead and climb onto the grassy verge to reach the towpath of the Canal de l'Ourcq, at the Crouy-sur-Ourcq river station. Turn left and follow the canal on your right. At the start of a straight stretch following a nice curve, note the bell tower of the church in May-en-Multien in the distance, directly in line with the canal.

Red and white markings

(2) At the first bridge, ignore the yellow arrow indicating a left turn, cross a small road and continue along the towpath, with the canal still on your right. At the start of a long straight stretch, note the small mouth of the Gergogne on the opposite bank.

Red and white + yellow markings

(3) Cross the canal via the Pont de May bridge and continue for about 100 metres along a gravel track.

Red and white markings

(4) When the track gives way to tarmac, turn right onto a path closed to motor vehicles that enters a wood and climb uphill under cover. Ignore a path branching off to the left and continue climbing through the wood, which gradually thins out.

(5) At the top of the hill (calvary in the middle of three pollarded trees), turn right. Immediately ignore a path leading off to the right and head towards the buildings. Leave the football stadium car park on your right and, at the crossroads, take the street opposite to pass between the church on your left and the school and town hall on your right. At the crossroads, turn left and walk alongside the church on your left.

(6) From the church, continue west along the street (D94 and Rue de Crouy on the map). Before the stop sign, turn left into Ruelle du Pressoir. When the tarmac turns left, turn right onto a path that starts between two walls and pass a beautiful cedar tree on your left. After a slight descent (ignore a path on the left), the path gives way to tarmac. At Place de l'Ancien Calvaire (cedar tree), take the second right, Rue du Pré Grault.

(7) At the fork, leave the^GR®®11trail on the right and take the street on the left that goes downhill (see an alternative route in the practical information section). The wide street soon gives way to a narrow road that descends gently between meadows and fields. Cross a path, pass a sewage treatment plant on the left side of the road and continue downhill.

Red and white + yellow markings

(4) At the crossroads you took on the way out, continue straight ahead on the stony track and cross the canal again via the Pont de May bridge.

Yellow markings

(3) At the end of the bridge, turn right and follow the towpath with the canal on your right. Ignore all the paths leading off to the left and note the large wetland area on your left (pond or marsh depending on the season). When you arrive at Marnoue la Poterie, note an old blockhouse at the foot of a large weeping willow on the opposite bank. At the start of a small road (railway line in the distance), ignore the yellow arrow that invites you to turn left at the hairpin bend and continue along the road for a few metres until you reach the bridge.

No markings
On the map, a^PR®® trail is marked in purple, but the only signpost is located at the very end of the section described below.

(8) Continue along the towpath, with the canal on your right. Note the loading ramps of an old blockhouse on the opposite bank and reach the Pont de Vernelle bridge (wash house below on the left).

Red and white markings

(9) Return to the^GR®®11and continue along the towpath, keeping as close as possible to the canal on your right (avoid the parallel path below on the left). Pass under the TGV Est line.

(10) At the next bridge, continue along the towpath, with the canal on your right, again avoiding the path below on the left.

(11) At the D102 road, continue along the towpath and cross a canal spillway. Further on, walk past a few industrial buildings on your left. As you approach the first houses, the towpath becomes paved and climbs up to a bridge.

(12) At the bridge, leave the canal, which you have been following closely until now, and use the pedestrian crossing to cross the road (as there is only a pavement on one side) and follow it downhill on the left. At the bottom, go around the roundabout on the left (town hall) and turn left onto the D401 towards the A4 and Château-Thierry, preferably on the pavement on the right. Cross the Ourcq (the river) and continue straight on to Lizy-sur-Ourcq station (E).

To return home:
- Transilien - Line P, towards La Ferté Milon (direct access) or Meaux and Paris-Est (use the underground passage).

Train timetables: consult the Transilien website.

For motorists:
Both stations are located on the same section of the same line: leave one vehicle in the car park of one of the two stations and make the outward or return journey by train. It is also possible to organise two vehicles, one at each of the two stations.

Most of the route follows the towpath, which is in very good condition throughout. The circular route at May-en-Multien follows a good path and small roads with little traffic. This hike can therefore be done in any season.

There are no water sources along the route. There are bars and restaurants in Lizy-sur-Ourcq, including one opposite the station.

Signposting is generally sparse or very rare (which is not a problem along a canal) but is clearly visible at the various junctions. A 1:25,000 map is useful (at least the one accompanying this description).

Hikers should be aware that, depending on the flight paths taken, they may hear aeroplanes heading for or taking off from Roissy airport. Similarly, between (9) and (10), the TGV trains crossing the Canal de l'Ourcq are sure to be heard...

Variants:

Avoiding the May-en-Multien circular - At the May bridge (3), it is of course possible to continue along the canal. This reduces the hike by 3km and means there is virtually no elevation gain for the entire hike.

Descent from May-en-Multien across open terrain for a view of the valley (suggested by hiker ozogiminy) - At the fork (7), keep right, still on Rue du Pré Grault. Cross Rue de Bluteau on the right-hand side and you will soon reach a crossroads. Then follow the D147 to the left and, when it turns right, continue straight ahead on a small road. Continue straight ahead on the GR®11. After a hairpin bend to the right, you will come to a T-junction. Turn right and cross the hamlet of Vernelle. Cross the Canal de l'Ourcq at the first bridge and rejoin the main route at (9).

Additional information (suggested by hiker philippe02310):
Visit the cemetery in Lizy-sur-Ourcq (see also the section "During the hike") - Take the bridge (12) to cross the canal, then turn left and follow Avenue du Chemin Noir along the canal. The cemetery is located at the corner of this avenue and Rue de Lizy, with an entrance on each side. Allow about 1 km for the round trip.

Hike completed by the author on 21 December 2016.

- A pleasant walk along the Canal de l'Ourcq.
- Notre-Dame de l'Assomption Church (12th-16th century) in May-en-Multien (6).
- Two old blockhouses dating from the Second World War in Marnoue la Poterie (8) and Vernelle (9).
- Wash house in Vernelle (9).
- Lizy-sur-Ourcq Cemetery, off the route from (12) (see the additional information in the "Practical Information" section). Cemetery with imposing chapels and the resting place of many Circassian and circus families (Bouglione, Zavatta, Capello, etc.).