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Taking the Ruelle aux Chevaux and the Sente des Vaux in Périgny-sur-Yerres, the walk begins near Closerie Falbala and Jean Dubuffet’s former studios.
(S/E) From Rue du Chemin du Moulin, take a look from the outside at this monumental structure, which is unusual to say the least. At the end of Chemindu Moulin Neuf, head down to the left along Chemin dans le Bas des Clos, which is for pedestrians only. Use the map to help you follow the route. Walk along the banks of the Yerres, enjoying the bucolic atmosphere and lush green landscapes, and spot the small waterfall on your left.
(1) Continue along the Yerres. Further on, take the path on your left leading up to the Chemin de l’Étang. Turn left here, and at the end, turn left again at the footbridge, continuing along the Rue de la Chaussée de l’Étang.
(2) At the bend, carry straight on along the Route des Clos, which becomes a footpath leading to Rue Neuve. Follow the sign for ‘all directions’, taking Rue Paul Doumer straight ahead. Head towards the centre of Périgny-sur-Yerres, the smallest commune in Val-de-Marne, with the typical heritage of villages in the Brie region.
(3) After passing the Town Hall and the picturesque Impasse Pavée de la Grand’Cour, head towards Brie-Comte-Robert on your right to reach the charming Place du Général de Gaulle. Lined with lime trees and triangular in shape, the square is home to the Church of Saint-Leu and Saint-Gilles and the Colombier de Périgny-sur-Yerres, the last remaining part of the farmstead at the Domaine de Périgny-le-Grand. As you walk up the square on the right-hand side, do take a peek through the gate flanked by two large chestnut trees at the exterior of the Château de Périgny-le-Petit, a 17th-century building also known as the Maison Garrot, hidden behind its high stone walls.
(4) At the end of Rue Paul Doumer, cross the traffic-light-controlled junction and continue straight ahead onto the Route de Brie-Comte-Robert. Walk alongside the market garden plots for about 1.5 km until you reach the Maison de la Nature et de l’Environnement, situated on the left-hand side of the road, just past the bus stop for line 23, which is signposted accordingly. This centre for visitors, leisure and information aims to foster connections between people and nature. The surrounding area is particularly well-suited for picnics.
(5) Walk round the Maison de la Nature on the right and join the Sentier d’Interprétation Agricole at the back, which starts at an information board. Follow the path bordered by shrub hedges and cross the Domaine de Saint-Leu, an agricultural estate consisting exclusively of market gardens.
(6) At the end of the straight stretch, continue to the right along the path which, after about 200 metres, leads onto Rue du Fossé Parrot. Turn left and, 100 metres further on, continue to the right along this street. This takes you round the Domaine de Rosebrie in Mandres-les-Roses, a former horticultural estate now largely converted into market-garden plots. The route continues for about 1.2 km until it reaches the junction with Avenue Georges Pompidou.
(7) Turn right onto this street to reach Rue de Verdun. Turn left onto this street and head towards the centre of Mandres-les-Roses. Cross the major junction ahead of you and head for Rue du Général Leclerc. Do feel free to turn right into the grounds of the Ferme de Monsieur to admire the complex of buildings and the dovecote. Owned in the 18th century by the king’s brother – the future Louis XVIII – it now houses the town hall.
(8) Continue straight on along Rue du Général Leclerc, taking in the many courtyards with their traditional houses lining both sides of this shopping street, then turn left onto Rue des Roses. As you pass the Mandres-les-Roses library, head towards Parc Beauséjour. Stop off to enjoy its English-style garden and, in particular, admire the Maison Barras from the outside – a residence in the Briard architectural style built in the mid-19th century. The entrance is on the left, on Rue Cazeaux.
(9) From Rue des Roses, carry on straight ahead, passing through Rue des Châtaigniers and then Rue de Mandres. Turn right onto Rue du Général Leclerc, then right again onto Rue du Moulin Neuf to return to the starting point in Périgny-sur-Yerres. When you reach Ruelle aux Chevaux, turn left onto it, then turn left again onto Sentier des Vaux. At the end, turn right onto Chemin du Moulin and turn right to return to the starting point (S/E).
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