Domaine de Bertichères and the Maison de la Compassion

Park in the car park at Chaumont-en-Vexin station.

(S/E) Cross over the railway tracks via the footbridge. At the bottom of the footbridge, walk a few metres and go through the small gate in the fence. Cross the field to reach the foot of the mansion where the director of the dairy (S.A des Fermiers Réunis) lived. Turn left at this house. Walk along the edge of the dairy site. You are now on the path to a place called La Pissotte. 100 metres to your left was Chaumont's largest company, the Société Anonyme du Vexin (S.A.V), which employed hundreds of workers and manufactured furniture in the 1950s. In 1965, a terrible fire completely destroyed this company, which was the lifeblood of the town of Chaumont. Continue along this path via a slightly steep but not too long climb.

(1) At the fork, turn right onto Chemin de Chambors. The road continues as a farm track that runs along the edge of the Bois de Gomerfontaine before turning left and reaching a fork.

(2) Take the path on the right, then right again to return towards the woods and find a gravel path.

(3) Go straight ahead, keep to the right at the three-way junction to continue down into the woods. Pass under the railway line, cross a first bridge, then a second one to go around the Château de Bertichères on the left.

(4) Once you have completely bypassed it, you can imagine the carriages arriving along this magnificent avenue lined with tall lime trees. Stay alongside the farm buildings adjoining the château. As you continue, you will see a small, beautifully restored Louis XIII pavilion at the corner of a path that led to the Chapelle Saint-Eutrope, a traditional place of pilgrimage until the 1960s.

(5) Continue on your way and join the Route de Gisors (D923).

(6) Turn right towards the roundabout: this is the only section of road where traffic can be dangerous. Stay on the grassy area until you reach the roundabout, where you turn right towards the Laillerie district. Reach the bridge over the Troesne.

(7) The large building housed a flour mill, built in the 16th century. It was still in operation in 1920. In the early 1930s, it was converted into a foundry and ceased operation in the 1950s. Continue along the road and, at the end, turn right and continue to Impasse du Rousselet.

(8) Turn right into this street and go to the end to see a branch of the Troësne. A wash house, of which only the foundations remain, will be rebuilt after the current renovation work.

(9) Retrace your steps to Rue de la Laillerie.

(8) Turn right onto this street, crossing to the opposite pavement. Walk to number 14, where you can greetSaint Roch, thepatron saint of pilgrims (among other things), and his dog, perched in a niche above a window.

(10) Retrace your steps to take Rue de la Libération: at this crossroads, the liberation of Chaumont on 13/09/1944 was celebrated every year. After 100 metres, on your right, enter the courtyard of the EHPAD and head towards the chapel where you can admire a 13th-century bas-relief. Before leaving, head to the back right towards a small door that opens onto the very special cemetery of the Sisters of Compassion who worked here, and those of the benefactors of the order.

(11) Turn back to leave the nursing home, go up Rue de la Libération on your right until you reach the station car park (S/E).

You can visit by taking the train (Paris-Saint Lazarre-Gisors-Dieppe)

Bar and fast food available at the station.

Closing time for the Maison de la Compassion: 6pm

The Renaissance-style Château de Bertichères dates back to the 16th century. Over time, it has been extensively restored and transformed. Today, it houses a hotel for the "Golf de Bertichères" leisure centre, which also offers equestrian activities. The Royal Jump takes place there in May. It belonged to the Counts of Chaumont, then to the Dukes of Longueville, and then to the Princes of Conti. It was the residence of Monsieur, brother of King Louis XIV.