Gare de Saint-Fargeau walks

A walk from station to station showcasing the full diversity of southern Île-de-France! For the first two-thirds of the route, the path crosses back and forth over the River École, with its old mills and countless wash houses. You then wander across a plateau with its typical heathland landscape. The walk concludes with a route that is mainly through woodland. A castle and a few Romanesque or Gothic churches add to the rich heritage of this walk.

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.

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 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.

This stage is the shortest on theGR®®1. It offers a chance to discover Melun’s historical heritage. With no elevation gain, it is ideal for families. This walk serves as a warm-up for the Forest of Fontainebleau, which will be more challenging to traverse. The walk can be divided into three sections: an urban first and third section passing through Melun, Vaux-le-Pénil, Chartrettes and Bois-le-Roi, separated by a short wooded stretch.

This is an unusual route, as the outward journey is by train from Montgeron station to Combs la Ville-Quincy-sous-Sénart station, and the return journey is on foot along a path that largely follows the banks of the Yerres.

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.

This stage of the GR®1 connects Bois-le-Roi to Le Vaudoué. It is the only stage that does not end at a train station. This hike is unique in that it crosses the Forest of Fontainebleau and its many beautiful rocks. There are several points of interest along this section, which is entirely forested: the tree at Carrefour des Longues Vallées, the rocks at Cuvier Chatillon, the viewpoint at Gorges d'Apremont and Gorges de Franchard (worth visiting if you don't mind walking a little further), as well as the Chapel of Prieuré Notre-Dame de Franchard and the church at Vaudoué.

From Bois-le-Roi to Fontainebleau, walk between forest and rocks far from the beaten track