Église Saint-Martin (Villette) walks

Sixth stage of the Grand Tour de l'Île-de-France on the GR® 11, linking Mantes-Station railway station in the Yvelines to the village of Genainville in the Val d'Oise, in the heart of the French Vexin. This stage is the first part of a two-day route, the aim of which is to connect Mantes-Station railway station to Chars railway station, further north-east in the Val d'Oise.The stage begins in Mantes-la-Jolie in the Seine valley and heads north through the south-western part of the Vexin Français Regional Nature Park, quickly passing from one of the lowest points in the region (crossing the Seine, at ~18 m) to one of the highest points (the beech forest at Villiers-en-Arthies, at 205 m).The French Vexin, with its unspoilt agricultural and wooded landscapes, is a magnificent region where it is very pleasant to hike.

On this walk from station to station, you’ll stroll through the countryside, passing through small woods and hamlets. You’ll enjoy some lovely views as well as heritage sites.

A walk from station to station, largely through cultivated plains. The underground Avre aqueduct runs alongside us halfway through the route and, towards the end, the Beynes National Forest offers pleasant paths. A few beautiful churches complete the picture.

A fairly easy walk from station to station, the first part of which is through woodland where you can admire superb specimens of various species of deciduous trees, particularly beeches and oaks, which are certainly over a hundred years old. You also pass close to the Alluets-le-Roi telecommunications centre and its many antennas of all types.The second part, which is more varied, includes a visit to the ruins of Abbecourt Abbey and the centres of the villages of Orgeval and Villennes-sur-Seine with their churches. The walk ends with a pleasant stroll along the banks of the Seine.

On this walk from station to station, you’ll follow the Mauldre river through the countryside, passing through several villages to discover some heritage sights.

Follow in the footsteps of Claude Monet, considered one of the founders of Impressionism, on a hike from station to station along the Seine and its hillsides. Beautiful views punctuate the route. Halfway along the route, there are several possible visits in Giverny, where the painter lived and worked from 1883 until his death in 1926. At the end of the hike, the collegiate church of Vernon is worth a detour.

A walk on the plateaus above the Mauldre valley. A rolling landscape as far as the eye can see accompanies you throughout the hike.

From the Mauldre Valley to the Seine Valley, a hike from station to station that alternates between fields and woodland. The Étang d’Abbecourt offers a perfect spot for a break, and the Church of Saint-Étienne in Vernouillet adds a touch of heritage.

A long hike from station to station that veers away from the Seine Valley (which is not particularly suitable for hiking in this area) and climbs to higher ground. The route alternates between wooded sections and stretches through fields with sweeping views. There is a wealth of heritage to discover, with two beautiful Romanesque churches in the first part and, towards the end and as a grand finale, the Gothic Collegiate Church of Mantes-la-Jolie.

The walk begins with a very varied section of the GRP® "la Seine impressionniste", starting with the imposing ESA Ariane rocket factory and its loading dock, a charming marina, the Île de loisir du Val de Seine, and several very large ponds. It continues through Triel-sur-Seine, with its pleasant Parc Senet and the architecturally intricate St Martin’s Church. The walk through the Bois d’Hautil along easy yet unspoilt paths is well worth the detour for its chestnut forests dotted with a few fine oaks, and punctuated by a large number of sinkholes resulting from the collapse of underground quarries. And we finish off gently, admiring the confluence of the Oise and the Seine. ⚠️ User comment on 18 May 2026:>Please note: at point 8, the path is closed in both directions due to reported risks of collapse; instead, take the GR®2 further down to cross from east to west