Écharcon walks

A lovely walk among ponds, marshes and, above all, birds, ducks, etc., lasting 4½ to 5 hours, or longer if you stop to watch the birds on the ponds.

This last stage of the journey along the Essonne offers many opportunities to play leapfrog with the river. It is obviously the stage with the most urban sections. The town of Corbeil-Essonnes reveals its rich religious, civil and industrial heritage.

A very varied route: minor roads /GR® &PR® trails / narrow paths (single track) / passing through villages, forests and the plains of the Gatinais. From the Essonne valley to the Mondeville plateau. Through the towns of Fontenay-le-Vicomte, Chevannes, Champcueil, Nainville-les-Roches, Mondeville and Ballancourt-sur-Essonnes

Twenty-ninth stage of the Grand Tour of Île-de-France via the GR®11, linking Ballancourt-sur-Essonne to La Ferté-Alais. Although both towns are located in the Essonne valley, the proposed route passes through the plateau overlooking the valley on the east side, in the Gâtinais Français Regional Nature Park, to the charming village of Mondeville. The GR® then winds its way between valleys, forests dotted with sandstone boulders and agricultural plateaus. This stage is shorter than the previous ones but is not without its difficulties as it still covers steep sections of terrain similar to the Fontainebleau forest, particularly around Mondeville. The route also allows you to discover some unusual sights, such as the Roches du Père La Musique in Ballancourt.

A walk from station to station that starts gently along the Essonne. Further on, the crossing of the Itteville marshes allows you to discover ponds and reed beds and admire the birds from the observation points provided. After passing an imposing menhir, you climb the Butte d’Itteville. You then reach the rocky outcrops of Le Sanglier. The walk ends with a stroll through the narrow streets of La Ferté-Alais.

The banks of the Seine and the town of Corbeil have a rich historical and industrial past, which is highlighted on this walk. Among other things: Kings and Queens of France, famous figures, historical events, and prestigious industrial establishments. It is also a walk where, despite increasing urbanisation, nature and beautiful landscapes are still very much present.

A route between town, fields and forest, during which you will have the opportunity to discover some of the points of interest in the commune of Ballancourt-sur-Essonne.

A pleasant hike mainly through the forest. A route punctuated by several ponds.

A walk from station to station with a relatively straightforward route, as it mainly follows the right bank of the Seine. Apart from the approach from the starting station and the approach to the finishing station, the route stays as close as possible to the river.

A walk from station to station starting in Vieux Corbeil (large mills, cathedral). After following the Seine, the route climbs before descending to Moulin Galant, then follows the Essonne. The walk concludes with a stroll through Villeroy Park, set in a wooded landscape, followed by an exploration of the Fonteanay Marshes and their birdwatching hides.

Named after Acionna, the Gallo-Roman goddess of rivers, the Essonne flows through the north of the Loiret department and the south of the Île-de-France region. The first five stages follow its course downstream, while the last four follow it upstream. These nine stages are accessible by train. One stage, which is not accessible by train, forms a circular route upstream. The route alternates between paths along the river, passages through woods and those across cultivated plateaus.

This walk allows you to discover one of the meanders of the Seine, with lovely views of the right bank with Morsang, the Rougeau forest and Seine-Port. On the way, you can stop to discover the circular wash house in Tilly.

This hike will allow you to discover a wide variety of landscapes on a relatively short route, as well as some historical remains along the way.

Alternating between dirt tracks, undergrowth and small roads, passing through the Coudray forest, the Bois d'Épignon, the Garenne de la Padôle and the Bois de la Valette, crossing the village of Mondeville and its church.

Some of these trees have probably seen the royal hunting parties pass by! This hike is partly like a treasure hunt. The remarkable trees are usually located a few dozen metres from the forest paths and require a little effort to discover. But the beauty of these specimens quickly makes you forget the difficulties. The route is further enhanced by passing close to two 18th-century castles.

Circular starting from the Coudray roundabout in Etiolles. Descend the Seine to the Port aux Cerises leisure centre in Draveil, passing by the Lac des Docks and the Ris-Orangis eco-neighbourhood, the Port aux Malades, the Port aux Dames and the Fosse aux Carpes. The return journey takes you through the Paris-Jardins neighbourhood of Draveil, the Sénart Forest and the Grand Veneur park in Soisy-sur-Seine.

This route, which is half urban and half forest, focuses on footpaths. Along the way, you can visit the Russian cemetery (no dogs allowed), see an elephant, cross the Bois des Trous, admire the majestic keep and its flower beds, and be sure to visit the miraculous cave of Sainte Geneviève... An easy walk and a good time guaranteed.

A short but challenging hike in a small departmental forest with a diversity of landscapes worthy of its larger neighbour, Fontainebleau: varied undergrowth, rocky outcrops and climbing boulders, old sandstone quarries, flat rock formations, viewpoints, etc.

This hike will allow you to discover the southern part of the Rougeau Forest, which is much more rugged than the northern part. You will enjoy beautiful views of the Seine valley. You will be surprised by the bucolic Royal Pavilion estate and the Forest Guardian.

Une longue randonnée avec le joli village de Beauvais, des sous-bois comme la forêt des Grands Avaux, les très beaux Rocher du Duc et Roches aux Dames avec leurs points de vue, qui rappellent Fontainebleau, la Tour du Buisson et les 100 marches de l'aqueduc de la Vanne et du Loing à Champcueil. Les (*) dans le descriptif renvoient à la rubrique "Pendant la randonnée ou à proximité"

An easy hike that alternates between the Forest of Sénart, the banks of the Seine and some beautiful estates such as the Ermitage de Sénart, where Nadar lived, and the Parc du Grand Veneur in Soisy-sur-Seine.Please note the opening hours of the public garden. In addition, the park is closed during storms.

Discover some geological and natural sites in the south of the Essonne department: a landscape of flat land, a sandpit and a vast marshland area that is home to many birds. This hike alternates between sections in the undergrowth, which are the most numerous, and sections between fields.

A hike that alternates between pleasant paths along the water's edge and urban passages. The Tower of Montlhéry, which offers a beautiful panorama, and the Basilica of Longpont, the destinations of this hike, are beautiful reminders of the Middle Ages in Île-de-France.

A circular loop through the fields and woodlands between Champcueil, Soisy-sur-École and Nainville-les-Roches, following part of the GR®11 trail. It nevertheless includes some beautiful terrain, such as the Grand Tertre and the Crête des Rochers du Duc in the Grands Avaux forest, offering stunning views of the surrounding area and even as far as Paris on a clear day.

A short, varied and easy hike. Streams, meadows, forests, housing estates and fields, and of course the basilica of Longpont, are the ingredients of this walk just a few kilometres from Paris.

In 1465, Louis XI and Charles the Bold clashed at Montlhéry. This hike takes you to some of the historic sites in Essonne that witnessed this confrontation (Leuville, Montlhéry Castle, the battlefield, etc.). The return route takes you via Longpont Basilica.

From the Essonne Valley to the Juine Valley through woods and fields, passing by the Pierre Levée in Janville-sur-Juine and the Chamarande viewpoint. A route almost entirely on paths with beautiful views in the Gâtinais Français Regional Nature Park.

This hike is certainly the most "aquatic" of those that can be undertaken along the Essonne. Indeed, numerous ponds punctuate the route: ponds for fishing or other forms of leisure; ponds and marshes that make up a protected natural area, a source of biodiversity and a place to observe wildlife.

Tigery, a large agricultural village, is gradually becoming urbanised and encroaching on the rich farmland of Brie. This walk allows you to discover both sides of the village, then crosses fields and forest to reach the Ru des Hauldres, which you follow upstream to a wetland area with ponds, fauna and flora. The return journey takes you through a reed bed, then down the stream that winds through the Sénart National Forest to Lake Tigery.

A varied walk, from station to station. After the footpaths and the church at Cerny, the route becomes predominantly woodland. It winds through the Bois Charron and climbs up the hill of La Roche Cornue, dotted with boulders. After a pleasant walk through the Bois de Miséry, you return to the Essonne valley and its villages.

Thirtieth stage of the Grand Tour of Île-de-France via the GR®11, linking La Ferté-Alais, in the Essonne valley, to Étréchy, in the Juine valley, through the western part of the Gâtinais Français Regional Nature Park. It consists of continuing the crossing of the Essonne, between agricultural landscapes, small forest ranges and more imposing valleys. A relatively short stage without any major difficulties, before the next two, which will be a little longer.

A mainly forest hike during which, in an atmosphere reminiscent of the nearby Fontainebleau Forest, you pass two small peaks (the mounds) and wander through the chaos of sandstone blocks of the Rocher du Duc.

A hike from station to station that constitutes the last stage of this route along the Orge River, ending at its confluence with the Seine. Although the area is highly urbanised, the walkway along the river, which takes us back and forth across it, often offers a bucolic setting.

A loop that starts with a steep climb between the rocks, then alternates between forest and plateau sections and shorter sections between fields. After a stretch along the edge of the woods, the hike ends on the wide grassy bank of the underground aqueduct of La Vanne and Le Loing.

Hike around Epinay sur Orge (a small town south of Paris) from the train station of the RER C.It follows paths and quiet streets, heads through Bois des Templiers and follows the courses of three rivers: the Orge, the Rouillon and the Yvette. A trail through the Bois des Templiers with views of an old stone bridge with three arches of the ancient Templar Commandery of the eleventh century.

Starting from the town hall in Epinay-sur-Orge, this varied hike takes you along the banks of the Orge between Epinay and Longpont, to the 11th-century Basilica of Longpont and the Pont des Templiers de Balizy, the oldest bridge in the Île-de-France region and a remnant of a former 13th-century commandery.

A varied country walk, passing by the Moulin de Dannemois and the Verrerie d'Art de Soisy-sur-École. Duration: Allow extra time if you want to see the master glassmakers at work (free of charge). Avoid during hunting season.

Short hike across the Grange du Breuil plain and the Bois des Templiers woods.