Randonnées Gare de Villers-Cotterets

The route begins under the majestic beech trees of the Retz National Forest. It then passes through typical villages with a rich architectural heritage. The path overlooks the valleys of the Ourcq and its tributaries. You will discover the beginning of the Ourcq Canal. The Donjon du Houssoy welcomes you at the end of the route in Crouy-sur-Ourcq.

This marked GR® route around the Île-de-France region (with a few forays into neighbouring departments and regions) complements its "little brother", the GR®1, by forming a circular route around Paris, generally with a slightly larger radius. It follows the same overall pattern: first, a radial section starting from Paris (more precisely from the Pont d'Austerlitz, near the former confluence of the Bièvre and the Seine), going up the entire Bièvre valley, then continuing to Villiers-Saint-Frédéric, in the Yvelines. From there, it is a circular route that loops around the Île-de-France region, close to its borders with neighbouring regions. The route passes through beautiful regions, often untouched by intensive urbanisation, regional nature parks and other protected natural areas, and takes in some architectural wonders.

The fourteenth stage, entirely within the Aisne department, of the Grand Tour of Île-de-France via the GR® 11, between Villers-Cotterêts and La Ferté-Milon stations. During this stage, we cross over to the eastern side of Île-de-France, leaving the Oise basin to reach the Ourcq valley and the Marne basin.As this stage is short, a short (optional) circular route through Villers-Cotterêts is suggested as a prelude, to explore the magnificent grounds of its equally magnificent château. This circular route could also be undertaken following the previous stage completed the day before, with an overnight stay in Villers-Cotterêts.

Thirteenth stage of the Grand Tour of Île-de-France via the GR® 11, linking Crépy-en-Valois station in the Oise to Villers-Cotterêts station in the Aisne. It passes through the wooded areas separating these two towns and part of the Automne river valley, which it follows for several kilometres, on the border between the departments of Oise and Aisne.