The Sainte-Anne Fountain

In the Haute Vallée de Chevreuse Natural Park, this hike alternates between forest paths and small roads through meadows and woods, revealing a rich heritage including the Fontaine Sainte-Anne, which was a place of pilgrimage for many years.

Details

129821
Creation:
Last update:
Last review:
  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 11.59 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 3h 35 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Moderate

  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 87 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 85 m

  • ▲
    Highest point: 153 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 92 m
  • ⚐ Country: France
  • ⚐ City: Bullion (78830)
  • ⚑
    Start/End: N 48.622086° / E 1.997424°
  • ❏
    IGN map(s): Ref. 2215OT, 2215OTR, M2215OT
  • Hour-by-hour weather

Photos

Description of the walk

Parking is available in the car parks in the streets around Bullion church or in a small car park below. Access via the A10, exit "Dourdan".

Blue and white signposts

(S) From the church, turn right (south-east) onto the D132 towards Rochefort-en-Yvelines. Stay on this road with pavements for about 500 metres. After crossing a stream, turn left onto Chemin du Pipeu. At the next fork, take the right-hand street. At the next intersection, turn right again and follow a path into the woods.

(1) At the next crossroads, turn left and take the bridge over the old Paris-Chartres railway line via Gallardon (note that nature has reclaimed the site). At the end of the bridge, take the path opposite, which quickly turns left. After a right-hand bend, stay on the main path which climbs into the forest and then crosses a flat area, ignoring any tracks leading off to the left or right. The path then turns left and then right, descending in a southerly direction. At a fork at the bottom of the descent, take the path on the right. Go through a forest gate to reach the D988 road.

No signposts

(2) Cross the road (be careful, this road is very busy) and continue opposite on the small C3 road towards La Bâte. At thefirst intersection, turn right onto a smaller road that slopes slightly downhill. Enter Bourgneuf, cross the village on this small road, with the Aulne river on your left, and rejoin the D988.

(3) Cross the road (be careful) and follow it to the left for about 200 metres (the right-hand side is wider than the left). After crossing a stream, turn right onto the first small road, opposite the entrance to a stud farm. Pass under a bridge over the old railway line. Cross the D149 (be careful) and continue towards Moûtiers between fields and woods.

(4) When the road begins to curve to the right, leave it and continue along a forest path slightly to the left, passing a forest barrier (fire brigade access). Ignore a path on the left and, further on, pass another forest barrier.

Red and white markings

(5) Then follow the Chemin de la Haye de Rochefort with theGR®1on your right. Ignore two small streets on your left and reach a crossroads in the hamlet of Moûtiers (bus shelter opposite).

Yellow markings

(6) Continue straight ahead towards the Chapelle Sainte-Anne (leave theGR®1trail on your left). At the next crossroads, continue straight ahead and you will see the chapel on your right. Continue in the same direction until you reach the Fontaine Sainte-Anne fountain and its wash house.

(7) Continue north, pass a sign for "Moûtiers", cross a stream and take a path that leads into the woods. At a T-junction, continue to the right and follow a fence on your left. At a fork, take the right-hand path and climb steeply.

No signposts

(8) At a crossroads at the top of the hill, take the grassy path opposite, which is not very clear at first (ignore the yellow arrow indicating a left turn). After a few dozen metres, walk along a large meadow on your right. At the next T-junction, turn right and walk between two meadow fences. You will come out onto the D61. Follow it to the right (note the sculptures in the meadow on your left) and enter the hamlet of Les Carneaux.

(9) At the T-junction, turn left towards the Ferme des Carneaux. Pass the farm and continue along the small road. Pass the Moulin de Béchereau and continue slightly uphill along the road. At the entrance to the Ronqueux Departmental Forest, turn right onto a path (no entry for motor vehicles). At the fork that appears immediately, turn right and stay on this main path.

Blue and white signposting

(10) At an intersection, continue straight ahead (south-east) and ignore a path on the left (not shown on the map). Turn right, continue south and note the presence of a pond on your right (not accessible). The path becomes a street and, at the next intersection, turn right. Make a left turn, cross a stream and pass in front of the Lavoir des Valentins. Continue straight ahead on the street of the same name towards the church in plain view and you will quickly return to the starting point (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 113 m - Église Saint-Vincent et Saint-Sébastien (Bullion)
  2. 1 : km 0.99 - alt. 123 m - Bridge over the old railway line
  3. 2 : km 2.83 - alt. 110 m - Route D988 descending from the Bois d'Aumont
  4. 3 : km 3.58 - alt. 95 m - Route D988 at the exit of Bourgneuf - Aulne (cours d'eau) - Affluent de la Gloriette
  5. 4 : km 5.52 - alt. 101 m - Rochefort Woods
  6. 5 : km 6.16 - alt. 105 m - Junction with the GR1
  7. 6 : km 6.47 - alt. 103 m - Moutiers
  8. 7 : km 6.76 - alt. 100 m - Fontaine Sainte-Anne (Bullion)
  9. 8 : km 7.88 - alt. 125 m - Crossroads at elevation 125
  10. 9 : km 9.28 - alt. 105 m - Les Carneaux
  11. 10 : km 10.47 - alt. 119 m - Les Vieilles Vignes
  12. S/E : km 11.59 - alt. 113 m - Église Saint-Vincent et Saint-Sébastien (Bullion)

Notes

Good walking shoes are sufficient. The hike follows mostly sandy paths and small roads, so it should be passable in winter (not tested).

It is said that the water from the Fontaine Sainte-Anne is drinkable... As a precaution, bring water with you. Grocery store and bakery in Bullion.

The Sainte-Anne fountain is a pleasant place to stop.

A 1:25,000 map is useful (at least the one accompanying this description).

Hike completed by the author on 30 June 2015.

Worth a visit

In the village of Bullion:
- Saint-Vincent and Saint-Sébastien Church (18th century), at the starting point.
- Lavoir des Valentins, on the way back, shortly before reaching the starting point.

In Bourgneuf, between (2) and (3):
- Wash house on the River Aulne.
- Beautiful houses.

In Moûtiers:
- Sainte-Anne Chapel (11th-12th century), shortly after (6).
- Sainte-Anne fountain, wash house and old drinking trough.

In Les Carneaux:
- Ferme des Carneaux, former manor house, near (9). From the road, you can mainly see the roofs and the top of the dovecote.
- Former Béchereau Mill, between (9) and (10).

Always be cautious and plan ahead when you're outdoors. Visorando and the author of this route cannot be held responsible for any accidents occurring on this route.

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

Reviews and comments

4.7 / 5
Based on 77 reviews

Reliability of the description
4.9 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.9 / 5
Route interest
4.5 / 5
le creff
le creff

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 20, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

Pleasant walk, despite a few short stretches of fairly busy roads.

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Marcodelapampa
Marcodelapampa

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 13, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A beautiful, easy hike lasting just over 2½ hours, offering varied landscapes and considerable heritage interest. The route follows pretty forest paths and trails running alongside sun-drenched fields and meadows, offering superb views of the surrounding hills and valleys. Ideal for an autumn afternoon.

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le creff
le creff

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 29, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

A very pleasant walk, except for the two sections where the route follows very busy roads. (Quite short, however.)

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epiluc91
epiluc91

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 24, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A lovely, easy hike with plenty of variety and well described.
Beautiful villages and pretty passages through the woods.
However, as mentioned previously, there is a bit too much tarmac.

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Perceval Sheltie
Perceval Sheltie

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 11, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★☆☆ Average
Very busy route : No

I really regret all the asphalt. Far too much for me, really far too much.
Other than that, I have no complaints.

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Jean LEF
Jean LEF

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : May 19, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

Walked on 18/05/25 - Sunny weather.
Short, pleasant walk.
The previous opinions are representative of the experience.
At point 7, there is indeed a "picnic area", but by 12:15 it was full of hikers in an (admittedly happy) hubbub.
So, 100 metres before, we sat down on a bench alongside the Chapelle Ste Anne. Alone in the world.
Good route description.

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Relonnor
Relonnor

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : May 05, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Very nice and friendly

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Berlin
Berlin

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : May 16, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A hike that 2 people spotted before doing with our group.
Clear and precise explanations. No problem finding your way around.
One section at the end of the walk can be muddy in wet weather
and impossible to avoid the mud because of the barbed wire on either side.

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CecileCL
CecileCL

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : May 13, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A lovely walk that alternates between villages and forests. Some sections on roads with little traffic. Very little change in altitude, an easy walk.

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Marquet jc
Marquet jc

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 25, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A very nice ride with lots of undergrowth. We rode a lot of bikes in forests and on roads.
There were two passages on small roads, in full sun. Fortunately, the roads were not very busy. The villages we passed through were very pretty.
We came across 3 pretty wash-houses.
We were delighted to do this walk in the heat.

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boucles d'or
boucles d'or

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 12, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A very nice walk on a sunny Sunday.
The only negative point for me was point 3, where you have to go along the D988, which is very busy even on a Sunday.
Otherwise forest, small villages full of charm, beautiful heritage and pleasant hiking trails.

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amathecha
amathecha

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 09, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A beautiful walk starting out from a village full of character
Picnic at the Fontaine Ste Anne
And at the end you can take the road again to see the abbey of vaux cernay
A great day out

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fredo123
fredo123

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Mar 06, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : Yes

Lovely walk, just a little muddy at this time of year.

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balade75
balade75

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Feb 04, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

lovely, varied landscape. but a bit too much tarmac for the mileage. One path was very muddy after the bad weather of the last few days. Nonetheless, a pleasant little hike, and the region is magnificent.

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Vasi
Vasi

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jan 30, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A perfect walk for a rainy winter's day, as the alternation of dirt tracks and small, quiet tarmac roads meant that we didn't come home with 20 cm of mud under our shoes. The landscapes are varied and the description is well detailed. The chapel of St Anne and the Carneaux farm are well worth a stop.

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