Fontenay-le-Fleury walks

A short walk along the streams of the Plaine de Versailles, including the Ru de Gally, which has its source in the castle grounds. The charming village of Rennemoulin boasts a chapel, a wash house and an old bridge, while the Fontaine de Maltoute fountain offers a pleasant, shaded spot to stop for a break. Unacceptable behaviour has been observed; see the warning in the practical information section.

This is the third stage of the GR® 11 Grand Tour of Île-de-France. It continues through the Yvelines, between Saint-Cyr station and Villiers-Neauphle-Pontchartrain station. This stage completes the 'radial' part of the GR® starting from Paris and joins the circular loop that circles the region from Villiers-Saint-Frédéric. The route passes through increasingly large wooded areas as you approach the countryside.

A short walk on either side of the Ru de Gally, with beautiful views of the plain and the Palace of Versailles and a rich heritage in the charming village of Rennemoulin.

The upstream part of this series of three hikes devoted to the Bièvre river. A very pleasant walk along the river and its bodies of water, in a mostly rural setting. A hike from station to station, which can be used to adjust the length depending on the weather conditions or desires of the hikers.

The Forest of Marly covers 2,000 hectares about twenty kilometres west of Paris, between Saint-Germain-en-Laye and Versailles. It stretches 12 km from east to west and connects to the Forest of Saint-Germain-en-Laye via the Plaine de la Jonction. It is a former hunting ground of the kings of France. The hike includes a route through this forest starting from Bailly.

The Étang de Saint-Quentin, an artificial lake covering an area of approximately 150 hectares, is located in the municipalities of Trappes and Montigny-le-Bretonneux (Pas-du-lac district), within the new town of Saint-Quentin-en-Yvelines. It is part of a large leisure and outdoor recreation centre covering a total area of 600 hectares. Various leisure activities can be enjoyed there. It serves as a wintering ground for many migratory birds. More than 230 species of birds inhabit the 90 hectares of the reserve.

A pleasant walk through the forest and along the Minière ponds.

A tour of the grounds of the Palace of Versailles, including the Swiss Garden and a visit to the King's Kitchen Garden.

This circular mainly covers the Marly Forest, allowing you to walk theGR®1from Chambourcy to Louveciennes. On the way back, the route crosses the Parc du Domaine Royal de Marly.

A mainly forest route with several remarkable trees here and there. The site of the Croix Saint-Michel offers a view stretching as far as Paris. A short but fairly challenging hike, given the alternating ascents and descents (the total elevation gain is probably underestimated; allow for around 200m).

Around Saint-Nom-la-Bretèche station - Marly Forest, a walk in a beautiful deciduous forest. It suffered greatly from the great storm of 1999, which flattened the oak trees on the motorway like straw, but this hike has a high density of remarkable trees (oaks, hornbeams, beeches). As the Marly forest is crossed by several busy roads, this hike focuses on the quietest part. It also offers a few viewpoints.

A short walk between forest and fields without leaving Saint-Quentin-en-Yvelines. It will take you to the "Garde Manger", a shop selling local and short route products.

The park is located in Marly-le-Roi and managed by the Public Establishment of the Palace, Museum and National Estate of Versailles. A sloping park on the south bank of the Seine, its lower part overlooks the centre of Marly. To the east, it is very close to the Louveciennes national forest, from which it is separated by the Route de Versailles. It still features the grand alignments of the Louis XIV era, the layout of the château on the ground, and the drinking trough downstream of the park with its two basins topped by copies of the Chevaux de Marly. The royal gate and the gates of the former château, such as the main gate and the Phare gate, protect access to the estate. The GPX track may prove useful.

A relatively short route but with some steep slopes, in a beautiful forest setting.

A half-day walk, mainly in the woods, with a beautiful pond and the vast lawn of the Domaine de Beauregard.

A former royal estate (Louis XIV liked to entertain his friends here, away from the court), the Parc de Marly combines a rich heritage with the pleasure of strolling along woodland paths, wide avenues and vast lawns.

The route goes around the Joyenval golf course, on which the old abbey is located, and passes in front of the Désert de Retz. The ruins of the Château de Montjoie and a hunting table are also located near the route.

A short hike to discover the Mérantaise valley, the Croix du Bois, the Mérantais wash house, the village of Magny-les-Hameaux, the Maison des Bonheurs (family of 19th-century painters), the Domaine de Brouëssy, and the stele of Hélène Boucher (early 20th-century aviator).

A green loop around the ponds of Moulin à Renard, La Minière, Val d'Or and La Geneste in the Bièvre valley, with an optional detour to admire the Arcades de Buc.

This route allows you to discover both the Minière ponds, upstream of the Bièvre river, and to pass close to the Palace of Versailles by crossing the Parc des Suisses. It is also a route through the Versailles National Forest, allowing you to enjoy a pleasant walk along the Bièvre. It is a route for all seasons, as the landscape changes with the weather.

A mainly forest route despite its proximity to Paris! After crossing the Bois de Louveciennes, you can enjoy the Parc de Marly, with its views and ponds. The route ends in the Marly National Forest, with a winding path at first, then a wide, straight path.

Short hike in the Île-de-France region, from Élancourt Village to the Courance de Maurepas pond. The outward journey follows the left bank of the Ru d'Elancourt, the return journey follows the right bank. The first part (from (S) to (3)) can no longer be done. The entire Elancourt hill (la Revanche) is under construction in preparation for the Olympic Games and is therefore closed to hiking. This will remain the case until 2025... See reviews

PLEASE NOTE THAT IT WILL NO LONGER BE POSSIBLE TO DO THIS ROUTE FROM SEPTEMBER 2022 DUE TO THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE HILL FOR THE 2024 OLYMPIC GAMES. This route passes by many interesting sites and places: an old church, a lake, viewpoints and, in particular, La Revanche hill, the highest point in the Île-de-France region. It is advisable to do this route on a clear day if possible, so that you can enjoy the view of the entire region to the full.

A short forest hike in two stages. After a lovely view of the former Port-Royal-des-Champs Abbey, you climb up the Vallon du Rodhon on a path and trails that wind through the undergrowth. The hike then follows the wide paths of the Port-Royal Forest.

A loop that is largely forested, although located in a peri-urban area, where you also pass through a few residential neighbourhoods with spacious houses. The small town of Marnes, with its beautiful heritage, deserves the description "charming". A touch of remembrance is provided by the monument in homage to the Lafayette Escadrille.

This circuit consists almost exclusively of paved forest roads, at least in part, and is closed to motor traffic. This allows you to hike in the forest without having to surf on paths full of water and mud in winter.

A varied hike, with a beautiful wooded route in the western part of the Forest of Marly and a stroll through the village of Feucherolles. A hike with two loops, lending itself to several variations, such as limiting yourself to the 7.5 km forest loop.

A walk that allows you to discover the places favoured by the Impressionists and the beautiful old villas that dot the banks of the Seine. The route is perfectly passable even when it has rained.

A short walk through the woods will take you to Saint-Pierre-de-Plaisir Church and Plaisir Castle.

A walk between ponds, country lanes and forest, passing through the small town of Mesnil-Saint-Denis. This hike is accessible to all. It takes you through a variety of places with lovely views. Please note that there is virtually no shade for two-thirds of the route between the points (1) and (6), so it is best to avoid it in very hot weather.

An unsuspected corner of wild nature, just twenty kilometres from Paris. In the Parc Départemental des Côtes de Montbron, the Ru de Saint-Marc and three ponds are home to a variety of flora and numerous birds. A short walk for nature lovers! 15/11/2024: A landslide has been reported just past the point (6) and it seems impossible to get through at the moment.

A mainly forest route with a pleasant section along the Etang de Saint-Cucufa and a brief detour through a residential area and old orchards to enjoy a beautiful view from the Belvédère des Gallicourts. A half-day walk.

Starting from the Saint-Germain-en-Laye RER station, this loop begins on the grounds and terrace of the château, then alternates between wide forest paths and trails that wind through the undergrowth.

In the footsteps of Jean Racine, in places steeped in history. A walk through a variety of environments, between forests, meadows and cultivated fields, with a lovely view of the ancient Abbey of Port-Royal des Champs.

A pleasant hike through the forest and along a golf course in a little-known part of the Marly National Forest.

Just 20 kilometres away, the Saclay plateau is the largest cultivated area closest to Paris. This easy route features numerous information panels explaining agriculture and environmental management in a highly urbanised region.

Visit the Château de la Madeleine's belvedere, castle and cellars via a trail around the Plaine de la Madeleine. We recommend starting from the "Carrefour de Milon," which is accessible from the beautiful little village of Milon-la-Chapelle.

A hike from station to station that runs mainly along the Seine, mostly on well-marked footpaths.

The commune of Le Vésinet enjoys a unique status in France as it is a "park town". It was designed with rivers and lawns, and houses surrounded by huge gardens. Its proximity to the Seine makes for a varied and very pleasant walk, easily accessible by RER. At the end of the walk, the Île des Ibis offers a reward for young and old alike: a children's playground and numerous water birds to observe.

From boatmen to Henry IV, this walk reveals what lies beneath the terraces of the Château de St Germain: paths winding between the pavilions, trees from the Île-de-France region, a walk under the terrace, the banks of the Seine and Corbière Park.

A beautiful hike through Le Vésinet, with its five lakes and rivers, as well as along the Seine.

This is a very simple walk, as it follows the Seine almost from start to finish. There are beautiful views of the river and large, attractive houses along the way.

A hike which is mostly in the forest, with lovely sections along the Mérantaise river and the ditches which run down from the Saclay Plateau.

A short hike in the Upper Chevreuse Valley, rich in heritage and offering beautiful views of the Vallon du Pommeret and the wooded hills that surround it.

At the heart of the Chevreuse Valley Natural Park, a hike that allows you to wander through a protected natural site with a trail laid out by the Park. In the Bois de Maincourt, one can see ancient sandstone quarries. The course of the river Yvette, which the trail follows on the way back, finally allows a patrimonial approach with old mills and old washhouses.