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Park at the Defens stadium, near the sports trail, Chemin du Stade.
(S/E) Take the path that follows the narrow road you came from, to the north.
(1) After approximately 700m, at the T-junction at a cistern, turn right downhill through the woods towards the Tuve bridge. There are signs. Just follow the signs. Be careful, the descent is steep and the path very rocky. Beware of sprains! Don't go too fast.
(2) Once at the bottom, at the crossroads, turn left to reach the Pont de Tuve, a particularly popular spot for bathers and diving enthusiasts (diving into the Siagne from the top of the Pont de Tuve seems a little risky to me, however. For thrill-seekers only, and don't forget that the water in the Siagne is very, very cold! Beware of hydrocution!)
You can cross the bridge to go under the small, very picturesque waterfall on the other side (for the rest of the hike, be careful not to get your shoes or feet wet, as you'll be wading in the water).
Return to the right bank (the path on the other side leads up towards the village of Saint-Cézaire). Slightly upstream of the Tuve bridge, there is a "beach" where the Siagne forms a sort of small lake, ideal for relaxing, swimming and, why not, picnicking. But beware of the current! Don't let your children swim alone! Apart from that, it really is a magnificent and wonderfully refreshing spot.
Then take the path along the right bank of the Siagne and up towards the Pont de Rey. You will first come across a reinforced concrete bridge. Ignore it and continue along the path, which then moves away from the bed of the Siagne and rises a little into the forest. Don't worry, this is normal. You'll come across a number of old ruined buildings. Finally, the path will come closer to the bed of the Siagne and you will reach the Rey bridge.
(3) Do not cross the bridge, staying on the right bank of the Siagne. From the Rey bridge, there is a path that leads up into the forest. Follow the yellow markers.
(4) A little further up, turn left. There is a signpost indicating the D96. The path climbs up through the forest towards the main road. Be careful, it's a steep climb! In places, you can admire the beautiful village of Saint-Cézaire, just opposite, overlooking the Gorges de la Siagne. The path is always very well signposted. When you hear the sound of cars on the road, you're almost at the D96.
(5) Once you reach the D96, turn left and follow the road for around 200m (uphill). At the end of the bend, at the level of a large cistern, leave the road to take the path opposite the cistern, on your left (still signposted in Yellow). You are now in the Bois du Défens.
Continue along the main path. A sign will tell you that you are entering a reserve of centuries-old oak trees. Take the time to admire these exceptional trees, with their strange, almost supernatural shapes.
Reach a second cistern, which is the one at the start. Turn right to reach the Défens stadium car park (S/E).
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