The Path of the Planets in Les Mesneux

Start at Chemin de la Moufle (an extension of Rue Émile Brûlé), near the entrance to the new school in Les Mesneux.
Information board and ‘Sun’ sign.

(S/E) Set off due south, slightly uphill, along Chemin de la Moufle, until you reach a three-way junction at the edge of the first small wood.

(1) Turn right and, at the second small copse, head down to the right until you reach a road.

(2) Cross it carefully and continue straight ahead. At the junction, turn right and, at the next one, turn left, arriving at a road next to a cemetery.

(3) Cross the road carefully and carry on straight ahead. Walk alongside the cemetery on your left until you reach a junction at the edge of the vineyards. Take the path on the right to walk alongside them, then join the second path on the right.

(4) Follow this path towards the village and continue straight on along Rue des Vianneries, then Ruelle d’Ormes, until you reach the junction at the end of the latter.

(5) Cross the road carefully and carry on straight ahead along Ruelle de Bezannes, then Rue des Bavolets; take the first path on the left (Chemin des Forges), then walk alongside the houses on your right. At the top, at the corner of the residential area, turn right and carry on to the end of the street.

(6) At the cross, turn left, then immediately right. Follow the ridge through the vineyards (see ‘Places to see’ below), then head down to the right and rejoin the route you have already taken.

(1) Turn right and, following the path in the opposite direction to the way out, head for the entrance to the new school in Les Mesneux (S/E).

Nearby car parks:
- Allée du Château (via Rue Émile Brûlé): 8 spaces (150 metres away).
- At La Croisette, 29 Rue de Villedommange: 12 spaces (250 metres via Parc de la Croisette and Allée du Château).

The planet signs are positioned according to the average distances of each planet from the Sun, on a scale of one billionth, i.e. one metre for one million kilometres. For example, the Earth, which is 150 million km from the Sun, will be 150 m away on the route.

The route follows the paths of the Association Foncière des Mesneux, so please respect the work of the farmers and winegrowers.

After point 6, on the crest of Mont Amé, you can enjoy an (almost) 360° view: to the north, 10 km away, the Saint-Thierry massif; 12 km away, east-north-east, Mont de Berru; to the south, from east to west, the Reims mountains; to the south-east, the Boisd'Écueil; to the south-west, the Saint-Lié grove; to the west, the Vrigny tower.

Towards the end of summer, watch the grape pickers at work.