From Vauboyen to the Palace of Versailles

Start from Vauboyen station (RER line C, on the section between Versailles-Chantiers and Massy-Palaiseau). Head for the level crossing: at the front of the train if coming from Massy; at the rear of the train if coming from Versailles – in which case, cross the tracks at the level crossing.

(S/E) Take the Chemin des Charbonniers heading south. Just before a set of traffic lights, turn right onto a cycle path. Follow the D117 for about 1 km. At the traffic lights, turn right towards Jouy-en-Josas and follow the road for about fifty metres.

(1) Take a small path on the left that leads into the woodland and turn right immediately. Wind your way through the woodland. Reach Rue Saint-Roch and follow it to the left. Ride past the cemetery and then the church in Jouy-en-Josas. Then head downhill to the right along Rue Oberkampf. Just before the level crossing, turn left and cross a car park. Then take the path that runs alongside the River Bièvre, on your left.

(2) At the end of the path, cross the D446, leaving the level crossing on your right. Head uphill opposite along Route des Loges (D120).

(3) At a fork in the road, turn right onto Chemin de la Chaudronnerie (wooden gate). Continue along Chemin de Buc à Jouy. Just before you reach a road, turn right. You’ll come out onto Route du Petit Jouy; follow it to the right for 150 m.

(4) Then pass a wooden gate on your left and walk alongside the Bièvre on your left-hand side. At the entrance to the Haras de Vauptain, turn right.

(5) Cross the Route de Jouy and take the forest track opposite. Immediately, head up to the left along the^GR®22(do not follow the signs for Versailles Chantiers). At the top, take a path running parallel to^{the GR®} and leave it on your left. Continue straight on until you reach a signpost.

(6) Turn right (Route des Arcades) towards Versailles Chantiers. Pass the first junction and, at the next one, take the^second path on the left (north-west). Continue on level ground and pass two junctions. Then head downhill to rejoin the^GR® further down^. Follow the^GR® to the right, heading due north. At the end of the path, turn left. At the traffic lights, cross the D939.

(7) Then turn right, follow the D939 and go through the tunnel under the N12. At the tunnel exit, take the forest track on the left. At the first junction, turn left. At the next junction, turn right. Carry on straight ahead until you reach a flight of steps.

(8) Go down the steps and continue to the D938. Follow the road to the right and cross over the railway lines. Turn immediately right into Rue Édouard Charton. Carry on straight ahead, passing five streets on your left.

(9) At the junction, take Avenue de Sceaux on the left.

(10) Cross Avenue du Général Leclerc. Cross the central avenue to the right and, at the traffic lights, turn right onto Rue Rockefeller. At the junction with Avenue de Paris, turn left and cross the Place d’Armes to reach the main gate of the Palace of Versailles (E).

There is a car park at Vauboyen station.

Return journey:

Return to Vauboyen station – Walk back along the same route to the point (9). There, turn left and, at the roundabout immediately ahead, turn right into Rue de Noailles. At the end of the street, turn right into Rue des Etats Généraux. When this street curves to the left, head right towards Versailles-Chantiers station. Take the RER C towards Versailles-Château-Rive Gauche via Massy-Palaiseau and Juvisy (track H or J).

Return to Paris – Walk back along the same route, keeping to the left-hand pavement of Avenue de Sceaux. At the junction (10), turn left, cross Avenue du Général Leclerc at the traffic lights and you will find Versailles-Château-Rive Gauche station immediately on your left. Take the RER C towards Invalides, Etampes or Versailles-Chantiers.

There are plenty of crêperies in the Saint-Louis district of Versailles (opposite the château).

Visit the Palace of Versailles at the end of the walk.