From Willems to Parc du Héron

Loop passing Lac du Héron in Villeneuve-d'Ascq and Forest-sur-Marque. This walk goes along the Marque river for a while and follows part of the GR® 121B.

Details

3206463
Creation:
Last update:
Last review:
  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 7.98 mi
  • ◔
    Average duration: 3h 45 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Moderate

  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 56 ft
  • ↘
    Descent: - 56 ft

  • ▲
    Highest point: 125 ft
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 69 ft
  • ⚐ Country: France
  • ⚐ City: Willems (59780)
  • ⚑
    Start/End: N 50.632901° / E 3.23275°
  • ❏
    IGN map(s): Ref. 2504E
  • Hour-by-hour weather

Photos

Description of the walk

Start from the Rue d'Hem car park (D64) next to the Texdecor factory.

(S/E) Opposite the car park, take Rue du Bon Conseil until it bends to the left.

(1) Turn right onto the small Chemin du Bon Conseil, pass under a power line and then turn left. Cross a road and continue along Rue du Grand Marais, which leads to a track.

(2) Continue straight ahead on this track until it joins a PR®.

(3) Turn right onto the PR® and follow it towards Lac du Héron. Cross a bridge and then the Dix Sept Bonniers woodland. The path veers right then left, passes under power lines and enters Forest-sur-Marque via Rue Moscou.

(4) Turn left onto Sentier de la Chapelle, then left onto Sentier de la Place, then right around the church.

(5) Turn left then right onto Chemin Fremeaux, then right onto Rue des Roloirs.

(6) After the school, take the second right onto the small road, then follow this road as it curves to the left. Pass a barrier, the river, and turn left twice to reach Lac du Héron.

(7) Take the GR® 121B around the lake to the left.

(8) Turn left along the GR® 121B, follow the Marque, pass a barrier and turn left into Rue Colbert

(9) At the bridge, turn left along Rue Colbert, and at the first crossroads, turn right and follow the Marque (GR® 121B). Cross Rue de Tressin and continue to follow the Marque.

(10) Turn left towards Willems leisure park (do not follow the GR® 121B). The path bends right, then left, and arrives at Rue de Willems. Turn left and then immediately right, bypassing the leisure centre. Follow the railroad line on the right.

(11) Turn left onto Drève des Marais and continue straight ahead. Leave Drève des Prés on the right and turn left.

(12) Turn right into Rue du Petit Marais and continue straight on, passing under a power line.

(13) Cross Rue de France into Rue du Bon Conseil and follow it.

(1) Leave the Chemin du Bon Conseil on your left and turn right into the car park (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : mi 0 - alt. 125 ft - Car park next to the Texdecor factory
  2. 1 : mi 0.25 - alt. 105 ft - Carrefour de la boucle
  3. 2 : mi 1.01 - alt. 79 ft - Path opposite
  4. 3 : mi 1.31 - alt. 79 ft - Cross
  5. 4 : mi 2.61 - alt. 79 ft - Entrance to Forest-sur-Marque
  6. 5 : mi 2.81 - alt. 79 ft - Church
  7. 6 : mi 2.95 - alt. 79 ft - Intersection after school
  8. 7 : mi 3.67 - alt. 75 ft - Heron lake
  9. 8 : mi 3.96 - alt. 72 ft - Left fork
  10. 9 : mi 4.69 - alt. 79 ft - Bridge over the - Marque (rivière)-à finaliser
  11. 10 : mi 5.61 - alt. 82 ft - Cross
  12. 11 : mi 6.69 - alt. 82 ft - Intersection near the railway
  13. 12 : mi 6.98 - alt. 79 ft - Base rear inlet
  14. 13 : mi 7.33 - alt. 82 ft - Cross
  15. S/E : mi 7.98 - alt. 125 ft - Car park next to the Texdecor factory

Worth a visit

(7) You're in the Parc du Héron by the lake, a pleasant park to stroll around. Small seasonal restaurant.

(12) You're at one of the entrances to the Willems leisure park, with a small playground for children and seasonal fast food.

Always be cautious and plan ahead when you're outdoors. Visorando and the author of this route cannot be held responsible for any accidents occurring on this route.

The GR® and PR® markings are the intellectual property of the Fédération Française de Randonnée Pédestre.

Reviews and comments

4.7 / 5
Based on 9 reviews

Reliability of the description
4.7 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.9 / 5
Route interest
4.7 / 5
jacques urbain
jacques urbain

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 22, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

beautiful route, but at Lake Héron, instead of going around it on the left, it would have been better to go around it on the right. It may be longer, but it's much more scenic.

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Mimi59
Mimi59

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Apr 14, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : Yes

Pleasant walk

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Pierre 700
Pierre 700

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Mar 27, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A very easy and enjoyable route through woods and ponds. More people on Sunday.

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pantlaur
pantlaur

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 30, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

well done to viso rando for the quality of its walking aids

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gk
gk

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Jan 06, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : Yes

The route was completed in 2 hours 35 minutes, at a good pace. Although it has rained a lot in recent days, the paths are greasy but passable. A few large puddles to cross without too much difficulty. Very easy to follow with the GPS.
Lots of people in the Lac du Héron area on this fine winter's day, despite it being a weekday.
Otherwise, a very pleasant route through beautiful countryside. I would recommend it.

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Rémi.S
Rémi.S

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : May 23, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Very nice walk.
The route around Lac du Héron is inevitably busy.
The country lanes are charming.
At point 12, the leisure centre is ideal for a picnic and the setting is superb.

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michel tout court
michel tout court

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jan 28, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A hike offering a wide variety of landscapes. It was limited in 2 places because of flooding, but that's winter.

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cataclone
cataclone

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jan 25, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

A very pleasant walk with quite varied sections. I did it in winter in the late morning.
A few passages were a little busy (on Sundays) but nothing too disturbing. The direction indicated in the description does not necessarily follow the yellow markings, so bring a map & the printed map (but nothing too difficult).

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fxsauvage
fxsauvage

I already mentioned on 15 June that I hadn't yet tested this circuit.
Maybe later...

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Lad59
Lad59

Overall rating : 3.3 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 15, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★☆☆☆ Disappointing
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

Lovely walk, best done in the morning in warm weather as there are few shady sections. Description too brief - most of the street names are not on the route. As you approach the Parc du Héron on a Sunday morning, it's crowded with joggers and mountain bikers, but this is only for 2 to 3 km. Given the lack of information, it's an excellent orientation exercise based on map/land observation. I recommend this walk and would be delighted to do it again.

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fxsauvage
fxsauvage

Not yet tested. It'll come in time!

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