La Ferté-Milon walks

This hike takes place largely under the tall trees of the Retz Forest. It also passes through the village of Oigny-en-Valois, nestled in a vast clearing with its rich monumental heritage: the castle, the church and the Charpentier Mausoleum, in particular.

Fifteenth stage of the Grand Tour of Île-de-France via the GR®11, between La Ferté-Milon station in Aisne and Crouy-sur-Ourcq station in Seine-et-Marne. A relatively easy stage that follows the towpath of the canalised Ourcq River to Mareuil-sur-Ourcq, then the Ourcq Canal, which separates from the river at that point.A short detour is suggested at the start of the stage to the Château de La Ferté-Milon on the heights of the town, offering a magnificent view of the surrounding area. Similarly, at the end, the GR® offers a short detour through the woods to the oratory and then the Chapelle Notre-Dame du Chêne before reaching Crouy-sur-Ourcq station.

This hike is the first stage of a project to walk the entire length of the Canal de l'Ourcq.Departure from La Ferté-Milon station. The first part can be done as a circular route with return to the same station (9.4km, easy).A pleasant trail through the hills overlooking the valley. Beautiful views followed by the canal with its pretty winding and shaded sections.

Fourteenth stage, entirely in the Aisne department, of the Grand Tour of Île-de-France via the GR®11, between the stations of Villers-Cotterêts and La Ferté-Milon. During this stage, we switch to the eastern side of Île-de-France, leaving the Oise basin to reach the Ourcq valley and the Marne basin.As the stage is short, a small (optional) circular in Villers-Cotterêts is suggested at the start, to discover the magnificent park of its equally magnificent château. It can be done after the previous stage completed the day before, with an overnight stay in Villers-Cotterêts.

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.

A beautiful hike in the Retz National Forest, starting from Coyolles and its Church of the Nativity, its manor house with guest rooms; passing through Boursonne, its castle and church, and the former14th-century Abbey of Bourgfontaine.The GPX track may be useful in the forest.

This walk, which straddles three departments, offers the chance to discover the beautiful Orxois region, with its rich architectural and natural heritage: marshes, viewpoints, the Ourcq Canal, the Clignon Diversion Canal, Gesvres-le-Duc Castle, the Templar Commandery and much more besides...

Sixteenth stage of the Grand Tour of Île-de-France via the GR®11, between Crouy-sur-Ourcq and Isles-Armentières-Congis stations in Seine-et-Marne. This stage, which is still relatively easy, continues the descent of the Canal de l'Ourcq - with a detour to the Multien plateau and the village of May-en-Multien - and continues along the Marne.

Straddling three departments, this hike runs partly along the Ourcq Canal and its tributary, the Clignon Canal. You will also walk through fields and end with an original route through the Marais de Beauval and along the Rivière Ourcq, surrounded by dense vegetation that is home to many birds. A stroll through the village of Crouy-sur-Ourcq and the hamlet of Moisy, with their rich heritage, complete this very diverse hike.

This hike in the Omois region between Ourcq and Canal du Clignon will introduce you to the history of this region and its ancestral heritage. Crossing the Marais de Négando allows you to discover a natural setting, amidst the peat bogs and poplar groves of the Ourcq valley, where amphibians, dragonflies, butterflies and numerous water birds can be observed depending on the season.

A walk from station to station, mainly along the towpath of the Canal de l'Ourcq. A circular route allows you to gain a little height and admire the church of May-en-Multien, built in the 12th century, up close.

Crossing the Bois de Tillet with its coppices and tall forests still under cultivation, then continuing northwards with a detour into the Vallée de l'Automne with its marshes, wet meadows, reed beds, willow groves and alder groves, ponds... A visit to the villages of Feigneux and Bémont offers a glimpse of the architectural heritage of this region.

The Retz Forest was the scene of intense fighting during the two battles of the Marne, in September 1914 and during the summer of 1918. Numerous monuments retrace this history, and this hike, which starts at the foot of the ruins of Longpont Abbey, passes by a memorial built in 1938. Beech and pine forests, with beautiful fern undergrowth, await you on this mainly forest trail.

Hike in the Upper Autumn Valley with its ponds, marshes, wet meadows, reed beds, willow groves and alder groves. Passing through several villages gives a good idea of its rich architectural heritage. The return journey takes you through the tall trees of the Retz Forest.

The Retz Forest was the scene of intense fighting during the two battles of the Marne, in September 1914 and during the summer of 1918. Numerous monuments retrace this history, and this hike offers the opportunity to discover several of them, including a replica of a tall observation tower and a moving military cemetery. Starting from a pretty village with a charmingly simple church, the route is mainly through forest.

Along the way, you will pass through the charming villages of the Clignon Valley, the Moulin de Brisé in Monthiers, the wash house in Licy Clignon, the fountain in Torcy en Vallois, the American and German military cemeteries in Belleau, and the Bois de Belleau.

A lovely, easy walk through nature and heritage, best enjoyed in good weather. Peace, tranquillity and fresh air are its main attractions , culminating in a visit to Valsery Abbey. Guided tours are available at weekends in summer. The passage in front of Montgobert Castle also invites you to visit the Wood Museum. At the end of the route, enjoy rural scenery and a magnificent view from the highest point of the plain over the Mont de Valsery farm. The route is very shaded between the various points (2) and (3) by large trees. You pass near the Ferme de Saint-Agnan (3), one of the first properties of the Abbey of Valsery, 2 km away, then near the Château de Mongobert (4) and at the end of the route near the Ferme du Mont de Valsery (6). The path is wide and pleasant throughout.

We invite you to discover an itinerary combining history and nature, offering exceptional panoramic views of the village of Saint-Pierre-Aigle. A grassy path will lead us towards the Dommier quarry, before we take a farm track that will take us to Saint-Pierre-Aigle. Here, we will have a magnificent view of the village's central square and church. The hike continues through Chafossepour to reach the surrounding forest. After this immersion in the rural world, we will continue our journey through the undergrowth for about 2 km, sheltered by the coolness of the trees. Nature will then reveal the place known as Le Trou Madelon, where we will gradually emerge from the forest and enter the plain. From there, we will walk along the edge of Saint-Pierre, on the edge of the woods, before beginning our descent towards Valsery Abbey.

The route begins with a grassy path that climbs 60 metres, offering a beautiful ascent at the start. It then continues on flat terrain, following agricultural paths that are ideal for enjoying the surroundings while walking at a leisurely pace. After this section, a descent leads to the picturesque village of Saint-Pierre-Aigle, a charming place to take a short break. The rest of the route takes you into the forest, with 8 kilometres of forest paths, pleasant and varied terrain, perfect for nature lovers. You then cross the village of Montgobert, adding a touch of diversity before returning to the plain. The return journey is along farm tracks, offering wide views and unobstructed vistas of the surrounding countryside. Finally, a last descent takes you to ValseryAbbey, a historic site that provides a beautiful conclusion to this route.