Lac des Deux Amants and the hillsides

Start your walk at Lac des Deux Amants, ideally early in the morning to enjoy the first light and the tranquillity of the spot. The car park is located at the Base de Léry-Poses: (€5 per day, opens at 9am). This starting point is perfect for an immediate immersion in a peaceful setting, with the morning mist slowly lifting over the lake.

(S/E) From the car park, follow the tarmac road then turn right onto the path that runs as close as possible to the lake towards the Seine. Continue until you reach the tarmac again and walk to the pedestrian crossing.

(1) Cross the road, then turn right to pass through a small car park; rejoin the road and follow it past the Biotropica greenhouses on your left. Continue along the lake, cross another small car park and head to the pedestrian crossing on the D110.

(2) Cross the road, leaving the lake behind you, and keep left at the nearby roundabout to follow Rue du Port.

(3) As you come out of the right-hand bend, turn left onto a path at the edge of the forest leading to the banks of the Seine. Turn right to walk along the river until you reach a footbridge over the dam and the lock.

(4) Cross the footbridge and enjoy the view of the river and the boats.

(5) At the end of the footbridge, turn right and follow the path alongside the Seine to Rue des Écluses, where you’ll need to turn left to continue on your way and reach the D19.

(6) Cross the road carefully to find the start of the path leading to the Côte des Deux Amants. This climb is the most challenging part of the walk, with steep gradients of up to 15 per cent: be careful, as the path is sometimes obscured by vegetation.

(7) Leave the path on your right – which you’ll take on the way back – and head straight on.

(8) Carry on straight ahead to walk round the Château des Deux Amants.

(9) When you reach the paragliding take-off area, take in the panoramic view of Pîtres, then take the path on the right alongside the château and join the Route des Deux Amants.

(10) Turn right again to complete the walk around the château, following the surrounding wall. Take a moment to enjoy the view and finish the circular route.

(8) Turn left to retrace part of the ascent path in the opposite direction.

(7) Turn left onto the Sentier des Amourettes, which runs along the hillside and offers several magnificent views.

(11) When you reach Val Pitant, head down to the right towards the Chemin des Monts.

(12) At the junction between the road and the track, follow the track to the left uphill for about a hundred metres.

(13) Take a track on the right (not shown on IGN maps) leading to the climbing cliff marked ‘Seconde Jeunesse’. Continue along the hillside as far as Amfreville-sous-les-Monts and head back down to the right towards the D19, which is known here as the Route du Val Hamet.

(14) Follow this road to the left, then turn left again towards Saint-Michel Church. Take a path winding through the churchyard to the viewpoint overlooking the church. When you reach the hairpin bend on the Route du Plessis, take a path on the right which climbs through the forest to rejoin the same road further up.

(15) Continue to the right towards the Seine. After about 250 m, you’ll come to the Plessis viewpoint with its orientation board.

(16) Enjoy the view before retracing your steps slightly and carefully descending the path furthest to the left towards the village of Val Hamet below. Join the Chemin des Coteaux and follow it to the right to rejoin the D19 at Val Hamet.

(17) First turn right then left to join the Impasse des Besaches and head back down towards the banks of the Seine, where you’ll find the towpath again. Follow this path along the Seine to return to the lock. This part of the walk is shaded and refreshing, offering a pleasant contrast after the exertion of the climb. Let yourself be lulled by the gentle murmur of the water and the soothing breeze.

(5) Take the footbridge back to Poses. To round off your walk, you can retrace your steps along the lake. For a longer option (route choice), turn left as you leave the footbridge and head upstream along the Seine via the towpath.

(18) Turn right onto Rue de la Poste, which has a certain Île d’Oléron feel to it. You’ll come out onto Rue des Masures; turn left, then right to follow Rue de Léry.

(19) When you reach the D110, cross the road and take the path on the left to go round the lake.

(20) Turn right to continue along the lake’s shore, rejoin the D110 and turn right onto the path that runs parallel to it.

(21) Head slightly to the right to stay as close as possible to the lake and return to the starting car park (S/E).

Access to the starting point:
The starting point for this walk is at the Léry-Poses leisure centre, near Biotropica.
A pay-and-display car park (€5 per day) is available near the leisure centre. In high season, it is advisable to arrive early to secure a space. The car park usually opens at 9.00 am. If you plan to arrive before opening time, you may find spaces in the car park to the north of the lake.

Wear comfortable walking shoes with good grip, suitable for the steepest slopes.

Make sure you bring plenty of water, as there are no drinking water facilities in the cemetery you’ll be passing through. If you need to refresh yourself along the way, you can stop at the Guinguette des Écluses, where you can buy a bottle of water or take a break in the cool surroundings whilst enjoying a drink on the premises.

You can go for a swim in the lake near the (S/E).