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Starting point and access: Neuilly-Plaisance station.
- RER - Line A, on the section between Paris and Marne-la-Vallée - Chessy.
Take exit 2 Boulevard Gallieni (at the front of the train when coming from Paris).
No markings
The route crosses somePR® trails or follows sections of them intermittently. In the following description, signage is only mentioned when necessary.
(S) At the bottom of the exit stairs, turn left and walk along the RER viaduct. Cross Place Montgomery and you will arrive at the banks of the Marne. Then turn left and pass under the viaduct.
Follow Promenade André Devambez, a tarmac cycle path on the left and a paved footpath on the right. Walk along the Marne on your right and pass under a railway bridge and a footbridge.
Ignore the yellow arrow inviting you to turn left into Square de l'Eau and pass under a road bridge. Then walk alongside a riding centre on your left and arrive at the Neuilly-sur-Marne lock.
(1) Return to the tarmac and take the bridge on the right over the Canal de Chelles. At the bottom of the descent, leave the tarmac and turn left onto the cement path that runs alongside the lock. Continue along the canal on a stabilised path that quickly gives way to a dirt track (potentially muddy after rain).
(2) Go through a gate and a chicane and enter the Haute-Ile Departmental Park (sign with map). Back at the Marne, turn left and follow Chemin des Clairières (the right-hand of the two paths). Continue straight ahead on this gravel path along a wood. Ignore the path on the left leading to a playground.
(3) Cross Chemin de la Marne on the right-hand side and continue along Chemin des Clairières. Ignore the path to the archaeological site (open at certain times only) and pass the toilets on the right.
(4) At the next intersection, turn right onto Chemin de la Friche and continue to a bird observation post at the edge of the pond. Retrace your steps.
(4) Continue north-east on Chemin des Clairières and ignore a turn-off on the left. You will come to a concrete path; follow it, veering slightly to the right. You will immediately notice a second observation post on the right. At the crossroads, continue straight ahead on the wide concrete path (Chemin du Canal), which rises slightly before turning left and crossing the canal via a metal bridge. Leave the park via the Grigny entrance and stay on the concrete path.
(5) Before a left turn, take a narrow path on the right (not shown on the map) that crosses a curtain of small trees. At the T-junction, turn left and follow a path between a large hangar and warehouses on the left and the canal on the right. Pass under a bridge and immediately turn left.
See the practical information section for an alternative route.
(6) Turn left to take the Pont du Chetivet bridge (chicane). Cross the canal, a narrow part of the Haute-Ile and the Marne. Then go down a staircase. At the bottom, turn right and head towards the banks of the Marne (depending on conditions, use the cement towpath, a dirt path or a tarmac path).
Walk along the river on your right, then climb slightly and join a street (Promenade Hermann Régnier on the map). Stay on the tarmac path parallel to the street (yellowPR® n°26 markings).
(7) When the street veers to the left, stay on the Marne riverbank on the tarmac path, which is closed to motor vehicles. On the left-hand side, cross the Allée des Belles Vues, the Allée Caroline, the Allée de la Marne and the Rue Léon Bernard in succession. Then walk alongside a football stadium.
(8) At the next intersection (fountain), turn left (yellow cross), go through a gate and follow the Promenade François Mitterrand between the sports fields. Cross Rue des Sports and continue straight ahead on the Promenade François Mitterrand, which becomes an uphill ramp interspersed with small steps. Go straight ahead, cross Rue des Sources and continue uphill (yellowPR® n°27 markings).
Climb a series of small steps, cross a street (not signposted here) and take the last section of the Promenade François Mitterrand. At the traffic lights, cross Boulevard Paul Pambrun in two stages. Continue straight ahead (yellow markings) and uphill. Cross Rue Lucien Sampaix on the right-hand side and reach Noisy-le-Grand town hall. Cross the small square between the building and a small pond.
(9) Then turn right, cross a street and go up Avenue Aristide Briand (wide pedestrian walkway on the left). Walk along the market halls, cross another street and continue straight ahead (flower beds on the right). At the foot of the Espace culturel Michel Simon, first turn right then left onto Mail du Clos Saint-Vincent. Continue straight ahead between a secondary school and some buildings, cross a street and you will reach a small pond.
(10) Go around the pond on the left and take the tarmac path opposite (yellow marker). Follow the winding path and the yellow markers. At the end, cross the street and continue opposite on the Promenade des Mares Dimanches, walking alongside a lake on your left.
Shortly before a large boulevard, climb the steps on the right. At the "Résidence du Lac" sign, climb the steps on the left (faded yellow arrow). At the top, cross over Boulevard du Mont d'Est and continue straight ahead along a path beside a building on your right. Turn left onto Esplanade de la Commune de Paris, head towards the "RER" signpost and continue to Noisy-le-Grand - Mont d'Est station (E).
To return home:
- RER - Line A, towards Paris or Marne-la-Vallée - Chessy.
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