The Drouette Valley between Épernon and Nigelles

On the outskirts of the Paris region, let yourself be surprised by the bucolic and relaxing landscape of the Drouette Valley. After strolling through the grazing meadows, don't leave without visiting the Millstones and Cobblestones Museum, a testament to Épernon's economic appeal.

Details

24808953
Creation:
Last update:
Last review:
  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 15.01 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 4h 30 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Moderate

  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 83 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 83 m

  • ▲
    Highest point: 157 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 102 m
  • ⚐ Country: France
  • ⚐ City: Épernon (28230)
  • ⚑
    Start/End: N 48.605025° / E 1.675981°
  • ❏
    IGN map(s): Ref. 2115O, 2116E, 2116O, 2215OT, 2215OTR, M2215OT
  • Hour-by-hour weather

Photos

Description of the walk

You can park at the "Les Prairiales" theatre, located at 21 Avenue de la Prairie.

(S/E) Cross Avenue de la Prairie and walk along the sports grounds. At the end of the path, turn left. Cross a small bridge and join the D28.

(1) At the stop sign, turn right. Take Rue du Jeu de Paume on the left, then Rue de la Garenne au Moine for 20 metres. Take the path on the right. It climbs and rejoins Rue de la Garenne au Moine. Follow it to the right for 250 metres. At No. 4, before the descent, take the path on the left.

(2) Cross the D328 and continue along the path through the fields. Descend slightly to the right into the woods, then continue straight on to Ponceaux, which you will bypass to the north via Rue des Graviers de Ponceaux and then the D101.3, finally joining the D101.5 at a crossroads.

(3) Turn left onto the dirt track until you reach the T-junction.

(4) Go up to the right. At the crossroads, turn left onto Chemin du Bois d'Olivet, then immediately right onto Chemin des Côtes. At the crossroads almost directly below the power line, turn left.

(5) When you reach Nigelles, turn left onto Chemin des Aulnes and continue straight on to Saint-Martin-de-Nigelles.

(6) Cross the Drouette river to the right and turn left (sports hall). Enter the undergrowth. Follow theGR® 655 (white-red markings).

(7) Take Chemin des Godets (GR®), then continue straight ahead to the church in Hanches.

(8) Turn left, pass between a stone wall and the hedge, then follow the Drouette river on the left bank.

(9) At the end of the fence, turn right towards Le Paty.

(10) Turn left onto Rue du Paty and follow the railway line until you reach the D28.

(11) At the stop sign, turn left onto the D 28 and continue for about 250 metres until you reach the first street on the right.

(12) Turn right onto Rue de Savonnière, then left onto Rue des Grands Moulins. Turn right to cross the two bridges over the Drouette and arrive at the car park (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 112 m - Les Prairiales theatre. Towards the bridge - Guesle (rivière) - Affluent de la Drouette
  2. 1 : km 0.48 - alt. 115 m - Stop
  3. 2 : km 1.81 - alt. 152 m - Route D328
  4. 3 : km 4.98 - alt. 125 m - Dirt track
  5. 4 : km 5.5 - alt. 113 m - Chemin aux Bœufs
  6. 5 : km 6.72 - alt. 102 m - Nigelles
  7. 6 : km 7.52 - alt. 104 m - Crossing the - Drouette (rivière)
  8. 7 : km 9.01 - alt. 108 m - Chemin des Godets
  9. 8 : km 11.38 - alt. 119 m - Église Saint-Germain (Hanches)
  10. 9 : km 12.51 - alt. 110 m - End of the fence
  11. 10 : km 12.89 - alt. 114 m - Rue du Paty
  12. 11 : km 14.37 - alt. 124 m - Stop sign
  13. 12 : km 14.53 - alt. 116 m - Sente de Savonnière
  14. S/E : km 15.01 - alt. 112 m - Les Prairiales performance hall

Worth a visit

- Épernon Millstone and Cobblestone Museum

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 6 reviews

Reliability of the description
5 / 5
Ease of following the route
5 / 5
Route interest
4.2 / 5
4x4.chris
4x4.chris

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Apr 28, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★☆☆ Average
Very busy route : No

It's a shame that the last part, from the entrance to Hanches to the finish line in Epernon next to Les Prairiales, is all tarmac. But there aren't really any other alternatives...

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ovil
ovil

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Nov 28, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★☆☆ Average
Very busy route : No

We have merged this route with the one entitled "circular route around the Drouette starting from Saint Martin de Nigelles", which shares a section of the GR 655.
The long crossing of Hanches to reach the church (closed) and the long crossing of Le Paty to the car park are not particularly interesting. There may not be any other options.
For your information, there is a drinking fountain in front of the library next to the church.

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Happpyhiker
Happpyhiker

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 11, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Very good route, varied and interesting.

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Happpyhiker
Happpyhiker

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 21, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A very beautiful hike. Varied and relatively easy. However, think twice before attempting it in hot weather. Much of the route is in direct sunlight.

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Kerolya
Kerolya

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 15, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

A pleasant route that is well signposted. Lovely spots surrounded by nature. One minor drawback: a few sections along the roadside.

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Bernard Poitoux
Bernard Poitoux

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Feb 27, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A very beautiful hike, pleasant trails in a gently rolling landscape on the edge of forest and farmland.

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The GPS track and description are the property of this route's author. Please do not copy them without permission.