Following the Essonne

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.

Photos

Stages of the route

This route needs several days, find the details below:

1. S

   De Corbeil à Ballancourt par le Parc de Villeroy et le Marais de Fontenay

   20.06 km 108 m 92 m

   Une randonnée de gare à gare qui démarre dans le Vieux Corbeil (grands moulins, cathédrale). Après avoir longé la Seine, on prend de la hauteur puis on redescend sur Moulin Galant avant de longer l'Essonne. La randonnée s'achève par la traversée du Parc de Villeroy, dans une ambiance très forestière, puis l'exploration du Marais de Fonteanay et ses observatoires à oiseaux.

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2. 2

   De Ballancourt à La Ferté-Alais, marais d'Itteville et rocher du Sanglier

   13.20 km 116 m 108 m

   Une randonnée de gare à gare qui démarre tranquillement le long de l'Essonne. Plus loin, la traversée du marais d'Itteville permet de découvrir étangs et roselières et d'admirer les oiseaux depuis des observatoires aménagés. Après avoir croisé un imposant menhir, on gravit la Butte d'Itteville. On accède ensuite au chaos de rochers du Sanglier. La randonnée s'achève par une déambulation dans les ruelles de La Ferté-Alais.

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3. 3

   De La Ferté-Alais à Boutigny par les bois Charron et de Miséry

   14.05 km 100 m 104 m

   Une randonnée variée, de gare à gare. Après les sentes et l'église de Cerny, l'itinéraire prend une dominante forestière. On sinue dans le Bois Charron et on grimpe sur la butte de la Roche Cornue plantée de blocs de rocher. Après l'agréable traversée du Bois de Miséry, on retrouve la vallée de l'Essonne et ses villages.

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4. 4

   De Boutigny-sur-Essonne à Maisse par le Bois de Malabri

   13.25 km 156 m 145 m

   Une randonnée principalement en forêt, de gare à gare, où les replats alternent avec les montées et les descentes. De belles pinèdes, quelques sous-bois de bruyère et plusieurs blocs de rocher sont au rendez-vous.

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5. 5
   

   From Maisse to Malesherbes via the Moulin de Vicq and the Chemin de Grimery

   20.17 km 139 m 85 m

   In the south of the Essonne department, this station-to-station hike alternates between forest paths, quiet country lanes and paths through the fields. Along the way, there is a wealth of heritage to discover: a mill, churches, a castle and a Neolithic grinding stone.

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6. 6
   

   The mills of the upper Essonne valley

   10.76 km 20 m 21 m

   Before motorisation, milling was highly developed along the banks of the Essonne. This hike sets out to discover no fewer than five old water mills, whose presence has been documented since the 18th century. The route along the river is full of charm and the numerous reed beds add a touch of natural heritage to this very diverse hike.

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7. 7
   

   From Malesherbes to Maisse via the Menhir de la Pierre Droite

   16.36 km 123 m 176 m

   On the edge of the Ile-de-France region, this hike from station to station follows the Essonne Valley from south to north. It takes forest paths, small roads with little traffic and paths between fields. This route allows you to discover an interesting heritage: mills, churches and castles, as well as a menhir and a polisher that attest to the ancient human occupation of the area.

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8. 8
   

   From Maisse to La Ferté-Alais via Ile Ambart

   19.03 km 148 m 143 m

   A hike from station to station in the Essonne Valley. After climbing up through the Bois de Saint-Médard and crossing a cultivated plateau, you pass through the charming hamlets of Courdimanche. You walk alongside the river several times, cross a small island, and the Marais de Jarcy may be of interest to nature lovers. Several churches and a few wash houses are also along the way.

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9. 9
   

   From La Ferté-Alais to Mennecy via the ponds

   17.38 km 20 m 41 m

   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.

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10. E
    

    From Mennecy to Corbeil-Essonnes via Robinson Park

    13.13 km 31 m 41 m

    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.

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Reviews and comments

5 / 5

Based on 1 review

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Reliability of the description
5 / 5

Ease of following the route
5 / 5

Route interest
5 / 5

Soso1980

23 Jun 2020 at 13:11 7200

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 21, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

A beautiful walk between a historic town and the forest! Highly recommended.

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