In the vicinity of the confluence of the Marne and the Grand Morin

A hike mostly along rivers with a connection by the slopes of the Grand Morin and Marne valleys offering beautiful views of the region. Crossing through some of the villages, including Couilly-Pont-aux-Dames and Quincy-Voisins, lets you explore some interesting elements of their architectural heritage.

Technical sheet

199637
Creation:
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  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 13.28 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 4h 05 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Moderate

  • ⚐
    Return to departure point: Yes
  • ↗
    Vertical gain: + 93 m
  • ↘
    Vertical drop: - 90 m

  • ▲
    Highest point: 129 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 41 m

Photos

Description of the walk

‘’Start''
Small stadium car park, Rue Gustave Garrigou in the town of Esbly (Seine et Marne).
(In case of a lack of space, the main stadium car park is 200 metres to the right along the fence)

(S/F) Go down Rue Gustave Garrigou keeping the stadium on your right. Turn left at the junction and continue on Chemin des Aulnoyes to the bridge and turn right to cross the Meaux Canal in Chalifert. Continue and cross the avenue at the pedestrian crossing at the entrance of large roundabout to return to the bridge entrance.

‘'PR (Yellow) markings''

(1) Head to the right on the path alongside the canal. At the confluence with the side canal of the Grand Morin, the path turns right and follows alongside for about 3 km it to its origin. You pass the Aqueduct Bridge of La Dhuis (2) over the canal and at the end of the long straight stretch, pass in front of an equestrian centre and a canoe/kayak club. The path leads onto the D934 between a level crossing and the bridge over the Grand Morin.

(3) Turn left, cross the bridge and the big intersection to continue a slight angle to the right towards Coulommiers. Then, keeping to the left, take Rue Pasteur in the direction of the church.

‘’No markings''

(4) Go past the church, the PR® turns right. Go straight through the Grand Chemin de Quincy that turns into a sunken path at a dead end, lined with walnut trees.
Continue ignoring some paths running across the route as far as a T-junction opposite an enclosure wall. Turn right and, after a few metres, go through the gate in the boundary wall to your left.

‘'PR (Yellow) markings''

(5) You are in the Quincy castle park. Veer left. Three hundred metres further on, pass the Castle, turn left then, a few metres before the main gate, turn right onto the track protected by staggered metal railings. You go out into Rue de Boignet where you turn right. Turn left past the cemetery and continue through Rue de Meaux. Pass through the first crossroads and, at the next junction, turn left into Rue Thiers. Cross the crossroads with traffic lights, then go across to the corner of the street.

(6) Head right into the narrow passage between two pavillons. Arrive on a grassy promenade (the Dhuis Aqueduct) and turn left. Follow it the keeping the houses on your left hand, taking you to a crossroads. Turn right into Rue de Butel and then keep right, cross Rue du Mont which becomes, after a few metres, a path down into the valley.
Cross the stream and turn left along the path. At the edge of the wood, turn left. The path climbs the hill to reach the Sente des Quarterons. Follow it to the right to the next intersection.
If you walk through a lot of mud during the walk so far and it is becoming tiresome, a possible alternative is described in the practical information.

‘’No markings''

(7) Cross the intersection, bear right and continue in the Sente des Prés du Ru. It descends to reach a signposted path near a post indicating the location of a gas line.

GR (Red and White) markings and also PR® (Yellow) markings

(8) Turn left (on Chemin de Mareuil). This path ends at the Meaux Canal towpath at Chalifert.

(9) Continue keeping the canal to the right as far as the first houses of Esbly, visible on the other bank.
Turn right onto the suspension bridge to cross the canal (10) and veer left onto the path along the canal to reach the road bridge. Turn right and go to the pedestrian crossing to cross the avenue.

‘’No markings''

Take Rue Léo Lagrange opposite which leads you to Rue Gustave Garrigou (S/F).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 45 m - Stadium car park
  2. 1 : km 0.55 - alt. 51 m - Start of the canal side path
  3. 2 : km 2.4 - alt. 46 m - Pont de l - Aqueduc de la Dhuis
  4. 3 : km 4.16 - alt. 48 m - Level crossing - Bridge - Grand Morin
  5. 4 : km 4.63 - alt. 56 m - Carrefour de l'église
  6. 5 : km 6 - alt. 113 m - Door in the boundary wall
  7. 6 : km 7.21 - alt. 124 m - Narrow passage
  8. 7 : km 9.4 - alt. 82 m - Sente des Quarterons
  9. 8 : km 9.99 - alt. 48 m - Gas pipe terminal. Close to the - Marne (la)
  10. 9 : km 10.49 - alt. 47 m - Towpath - Canal de Chalifert ou de Meaux à Chalifert
  11. 10 : km 12.5 - alt. 49 m - Footbridge over the canal
  12. S/E : km 13.28 - alt. 45 m - Stadium car park

Practical information

This hike is accessible by public transport. Esbly station is only a few hundred metres from the circuit. Train schedules are available by following this link click here.
In this case, exit the station to the main building. Turn left along the railway line to the intersection and then turn right onto Rue du Général Leclerc which leads to a crossroads. Cross the avenue at the pedestrian crossing, then continue on the pavement to cross the canal bridge. You are a point (1) of the circuit. Head left on the side road to the canal and read what comes next in the description.

Alternative
(7) Turn right and go down to Canal de Meaux Chalifert. Turn left onto the canal towpath to the entrance of the bridge. Continue on this road to its junction with a road coming in from the left (9). You will come upon GR® and PR® markings. This alternative lengthens the circuit by about 700 metres.

In the nearby area

Bridge of the Dhuis aqueduct on the canal running alongside Le Grand Morin.
The Church of Couilly-Pont-aux-Dames.
Château de Quincy

 Always stay careful and alert while following a route. Visorando and the author of this walk cannot be held responsible in the event of an accident during this route.

The GR® and PR® markings are the intellectual property of the Fédération Française de Randonnée Pédestre.

Reviews and comments

4.4 / 5
Based on 38 reviews

Reliability of the description
4.6 / 5
Clarity of route map
4.6 / 5
Route interest
4.2 / 5
User 26116733

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of walk : Jun 08, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★☆☆ Average
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Busy trail : No

No one on the road!

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maximelevrain
maximelevrain

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of walk : Aug 05, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Busy trail : No

Lovely little walk between riverbanks, woods, fields and villages. Do it again and again!

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Criche
Criche

Overall rating : 3 / 5

Date of walk : May 27, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Clarity of route map : ★★☆☆☆ Disappointing
Route interest : ★★★☆☆ Average
Busy trail : No

Poorly maintained circuit between markers 4 and 5 and too much town between 5 and 7, of average interest.

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Yannick Barbeau
Yannick Barbeau

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of walk : May 18, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : No

Lots of mud in spite of dry weather, but otherwise a superb walk.

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Pfaure
Pfaure

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of walk : Apr 10, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : No

This is one of my favourite walks. The varied route takes in waterways, fields, woods and interesting villages.
There were several moments that particularly struck me:
- The start of the walk along the Grand Morin canal, which I found particularly charming, especially between points 1 and 2. It is frequented by moorhens and coots and we saw several magnificent herons.
- Crossing the fields between points 4 and 5, with beautiful unobstructed views of the surrounding area.
- The grounds of the Château de Quincy and the approach from point 5.
- Where the Grand Morin joins the Marne.
I was accompanied by a friend who loves wild edible plants, and he was able to find what he was looking for in this favourable environment.

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mdre
mdre

Overall rating : 3.3 / 5

Date of walk : Mar 13, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★☆☆ Average
Clarity of route map : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★☆☆ Average
Busy trail : Yes

very muddy walk all the way
The Quincy castle is rather ordinary
nice walk along the water
Quincy is a pretty ugly village

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SNOUPI
SNOUPI

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of walk : Oct 04, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Busy trail : No

Walk done in the rain but very pleasant in fine weather, no difficulty, but do not do it in rainy weather, because the paths are very slippery and muddy,

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LATIGNACIEN
LATIGNACIEN

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of walk : Apr 05, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : Yes

A very pleasant and easy trail to do in summer. At the start of the route, there are many fallen trees across the paths.

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Olivier Martine
Olivier Martine

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of walk : Feb 20, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★☆☆ Average
Busy trail : No

In winter, the paths are very muddy, even dripping, and the walk begins on a dirty path lined with itinerant buildings. After that, the walk becomes more "natural" and the scenery is lovely! Be careful, though, as we came across a hunting party during the hunting season! In short, we were a little disappointed with this walk!

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Lolobbb
Lolobbb

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of walk : Dec 19, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Busy trail : No

We did this walk on a sunny Sunday in December. Lovely walk, especially the 2nd half. The 1st half was a bit monotonous as we walked along a canal. What's more, it had rained a lot the previous days, so we were in the mud on the 1st half, but that's the game!

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duabreg
duabreg

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of walk : Dec 19, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Busy trail : No

nice little hike don't leave the stadium too early to be able to picnic in the park of the QUINCY castle
on the other hand very very muddy and slippery ground to be avoided in rainy weather
very varied between forest and village

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Dr Panda
Dr Panda

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of walk : Nov 28, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Busy trail : Yes

lovely walk, partly steep and partly beside a canal. crossings of villages.
easy and pleasant walk

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Harriett
Harriett

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of walk : Jun 19, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : No

Very pleasant walk. Varied scenery. We made a slight modification by taking the front bridge at the end to see the Meaux canal bridge over the Grand Morin.

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Violette66
Violette66

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of walk : Jun 15, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : No

Very pleasant and varied route. Quite easy to follow the signs, except occasionally in the forest or on the way out of the forest, especially as my direction arrow almost didn't work. I made a mistake in the forest, but it was my fault for misunderstanding, so I walked 2 km too far. I'd love to do this walk again.

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jphubert
jphubert

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of walk : May 31, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : No

We got a bit confused at the start, despite a good explanation. The grounds of the Château de Quincy are great for a picnic. We made another small mistake between 9 and 10, taking the first footbridge on the right. The end of the route is very pleasant. There's a good balance between sun and shade, which is nice when it's hot. I'd definitely recommend it.

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