Le canal de l'Ourcq

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.

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 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.

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.