Mills and Menhirs along the river Yerres

This hike mostly takes place along the Yerres, a tributary of the Seine, and also includes a section in the Forest of Senart and an urban section. There you can enjoy the charm of this river and the beautiful houses around it, admire two ancient watermills and come cross no fewer than four standing stones along the way.

This walk is part of a multi-day hike: Slices of Brie from station to station

Technical sheet

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  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 10.40 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 3h 05 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Moderate

  • ⚐
    Return to departure point: Yes
  • ↗
    Vertical gain: + 49 m
  • ↘
    Vertical drop: - 52 m

  • ▲
    Highest point: 85 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 37 m

Photos

Description of the walk

Start at Brunoy train station (RER line D, on the stretch between Melun and Paris-Lyon).

’’No Markings''

(S) Upon leaving the station, take Rue de la Gare opposite (bar/tobacconist at the beginning of the street on the right). At the end of the street, turn right into Rue Philipsburg and go past the town hall. After the square, turn left into Rue Pasteur then immediately right onto Rue Saint-Nicolas. After a few metres, turn left into a cobbled street then right alongside the church. Head down some steps and find yourself at the foot of the stairs leading to the church door.

(1) Turn left onto Rue de Montmartel. After a bend to the left, pass Rue Pasteur and reach a crossroads. Turn right in the direction of "Talma" (sign). Head onto Perronet Bridge and cross the first stretch of the river (at the old mill on the right). Do not cross the second stretch of the river but, immediately after the first one, turn left towards a wooden hall to reach an island in the middle of the Yerres. Veer right to quickly reach the bank of the second stretch of the Yerres: a menhir named "La Pierre Frit" is on the opposite bank (inaccessible).

(2) Head to the east on a concrete alley (not depicted on the 1/25000 map but visible when zooming in) and stay closer to the river keeping it to your right. Ignore a bridge on the right (not depicted on the map) and then veer slightly to the left to reach the foot of the railway viaduct (marker post).

‘’Yellow markings (sparse)''

(3) Do not cross the viaduct, instead turn right at a right angle, in the direction of the “Forêt de Senart." Walk along the base of the viaduct to your left and then take the underpass (admire the maritime decor). At the end of this passage, turn diagonally to the right (paved ally doea not appear on the map). Arrive at a bus shelter, follow Rue Sainte-Geneviève on the right. At the next junction turn left into Rue de l’Espérance. After a few metres, turn right (small steps) and then immediately left. This street makes a bend to the right and goes up to a large car park ("Do not enter" sign visible from afar). Turn right onto Rue du Maréchal Ney. At the end of the street, after passing a 20 km/k speed limit sign, turn left onto a small asphalt path and reach a wood baffle leading to the forest of Senart.

(4) Immediately after the chicane, take the left path and after a few metres take a path going between forest plots No. 183 (formerly 175) and 182 (formerly 174). After a hundred metres, find a trail on the left to a big tree with two barrels. Be attentive, the Yellow arrow indicating a left turn is not visible; if you reach the place where the trail widens considerably and has been stabilised with white pebbles, turn back. After turning left, turn immediately right, passing in front of the tree with two trunks along a small ditch on the right hand. Cross a road (take care) and continue across a path that goes diagonally to the left then winds along the left hand of a deeper trench than the last. At a T-junction, turn left onto a wider sandy path.

’’Yellow and Yellow/Red markings''

(5) At the first junction, continue straight ahead. At the second intersection, take the second road on the left (north-east). Ignore the start of another branch of GRP on the right and continue in the direction of Boissy (sign on a tree) and then veer left to cross a road again (take care). Continue opposite, head down, go under the railway bridge and emerge onto a street that goes down again.

Yellow + Red markings
Here there are non-GRP markings.

(6) Cross the Rue du Gord, leave the GRP from right (the footbridge over the Yerres does not appear on the map) and cross a stream over a wooden bridge. Head around the football field on the right. At a junction, take the path on the right (not shown on map) and stay close to the river on your right hand.

’’Red markings''

(7) Take the bridge on the right to cross the Yerres. At the end of the bridge, contrary to what is suggested by the purple line on the map, turn immediately left and follow the river keeping it on your left. Pass under the bridge of the road.

’’Blue markings''

(8) Just after the bridge, leave the red markers and climb up on the right continuing along the river where it quickly leads to a small menhir. Continue close to the river (not shown trail on the map) and then deviate to get around a house and climb slightly to a road. Follow the road down to the left and reach a footbridge near the Moulin des Rochopts.

'' Yellow markings'’ (very infrequent only apparent after a few hundred metres)

(9) Take the bridge and admire the mill on the right. After the bridge, turn right onto a gravel road along the river to the right. Pass a small road coming from the left and a launching area for boats on the right and continue along the river (note on the opposite bank there are some nice big houses).

(10) At a lawn with buildings in the distance on the left just after passing under a power line, leave the gravel road and turn left, going straight along a path still keeping close to the river. Finally reach a tarmac path at a high voltage pylon near a major road on the left. Cross that alley and find a marker post on the left.

’’Yellow Markings'’ ‘’(reasonably dense)’’

(11) Continue opposite in the direction of "Brunoy Centre" then immediately turn right on a bridge over a stream (washhouse onthe right). At the end of the bridge, turn left into the woods. At a kayak club building, make a right-left dog-leg then move away from the path to reach the right bank of the Yerres (do not cross the river) and note two menhirs with their "feet in the water” on the opposite bank. Return to the path and continue to the west. Then pass over a (masonry) footbridge on the right and then a small bridge located on the east end of the island from the start of the hike. Go under the railway bridge.

‘’No markings (except at the very beginning where there are still some Yellow markings)''

(3) Unless you want to see the menhir of La Pierre Fritte and the Saint-Médard church, not to resume the route taken on the on the outbound leg on the left, but continue opposite on a wide concrete alley. Take the first bridge on the right to cross the river and leave the Yellow markings. Climb across a street with car park on the right. At the top of the hill, turn left towards the theatre and then right at the corner of the garage to quickly arrive at the Brunoy train station.

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 58 m - Gare de Brunoy
  2. 1 : km 0.35 - alt. 46 m - Église Saint-Médard (Brunoy)
  3. 2 : km 0.63 - alt. 37 m - Menhirs La Femme et la Fille de Loth
  4. 3 : km 1.03 - alt. 40 m - Railway viaduct
  5. 4 : km 2.1 - alt. 75 m - Entrance to the Sénart Forest
  6. 5 : km 3.28 - alt. 85 m - Carrefour d'Epinay
  7. 6 : km 5.06 - alt. 42 m - Rue du Gord
  8. 7 : km 5.61 - alt. 41 m - Gateway - Yerres (l')
  9. 8 : km 6.08 - alt. 41 m - After the road bridge
  10. 9 : km 6.72 - alt. 41 m - Moulin des Rochopts
  11. 10 : km 8.15 - alt. 40 m - Lawn
  12. 11 : km 9.16 - alt. 40 m - Beacon post
  13. S/E : km 10.4 - alt. 58 m - Gare de Brunoy

Practical information

For train schedules, see the website Transilien.
For access by car, park at the station car park, there is a fee to park here except on Sundays and holidays. Access either by the N6 or by the N19.

Good sport shoes are enough for this hike. It is possible that the paths along the Yerres between (6) and (9) may be wet or muddy in winter (not tested). Elsewhere along the river paths are usually stabilised.

Bar/tobacconist and other shops near the station Brunoy.

A 1:25000 map is required, preferably one which includes the route, given the large number of situations where the paths taken are not on the IGN map.

In the nearby area

At Brunoy:
- Saint-Médard Church (XIIth-XXth century) (1).
- Old mill Close to Perronet bridge, between (1) and (2).
- Pierre Fritte. At 2.60 m in height, it is the largest menhir of the series of three. This one and a smaller one next are also caled "The wife and daughter of Lot”. The third menhir is submerged in the river.
- Menhirs on the waterfront after (11).

A Boussy-Saint-Antoine:
- “Menhir” standing stone, named "La Pierre Fitte" (without the "r") after (8).
- The Rochopts mill (XIIIth-XIXth century) (9).

At Epinay-sous-Sénart:
- Washhouse (XVIIIth century) (11).

The banks of the Yerres.

Reviews and comments

4.6 / 5
Based on 119 reviews

Reliability of the description
4.7 / 5
Clarity of route map
4.6 / 5
Route interest
4.3 / 5
Yannick Barbeau
Yannick Barbeau

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of walk : Jul 02, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : No

Today is the perfect day for a hike, with beautiful sunshine and temperatures that aren't too hot after the recent heatwave.
What a pleasure to stroll along the shaded banks of the Yerres with its beautiful houses by the water. A little corner of the countryside so close to Paris.

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valmessage
valmessage
• Last modified:

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of walk : Jun 26, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Busy trail : No

A well-shaded route along the Yerres river, pleasant in warm weather.
No particular difficulties.

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gaston16
gaston16

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of walk : Oct 23, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Busy trail : No

Interesting walk. No difficulty in following the route (with the smartphone and the gpx file). However, there had been a lot of rain and so there were a lot of muddy stretches. All in all a positive experience!

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anticonstitutionnellement
anticonstitutionnellement

Overall rating : 3.7 / 5

Date of walk : Oct 26, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★☆☆ Average
Busy trail : No

After periods of rain such as those experienced in October, some stretches in the Sénart forest and along the Yerres are very slippery. Walking poles may come in handy.
Quite a varied route, rather pleasant despite a final section that is not very interesting or even long along the Yerres.

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minette88
minette88

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of walk : Jun 22, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Busy trail : No

A wonderful walk along the River Yerres, made all the more enjoyable by the return of the sun! In fact
possible in very hot weather because the path is well shaded!
But if there's been a lot of rain over the last few days, I'd still recommend wearing hiking boots!
The route is easy to follow and very well detailed!
As for the interest of the trail, I only gave it a Good rating because I saw the mills but only one menhir with its foot in the water! Maybe I wasn't paying close enough attention....
In any case, thank you for a very pleasant walk!

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Pfaure
Pfaure

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of walk : Jun 09, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : No

This is a parish specific to Brittany, and I appreciate the split between the incursion into the Senart forest and the return to Brunoy via a loop of the Yerres, which is magnificent, especially as you approach Brunoy.
As for the Moulins, it's a little extra, but that's not the main thing.

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AgnesM
AgnesM
• Last modified:

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of walk : May 25, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Busy trail : Yes

This route is quite popular on the banks of the Yerres, but it is much more confidential in the santiers and paths of the Sénart forest. But the banks of the Yerres are so beautiful and pleasant that it's well worth the effort.

A pleasant and varied route with sights to see here and there. I'll be happy to do it again.

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Sylvie R1
Sylvie R1

Overall rating : 3 / 5

Date of walk : May 26, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★☆☆ Average
Clarity of route map : ★★★☆☆ Average
Route interest : ★★★☆☆ Average
Busy trail : No

On several points, it's hard to see where to turn.
At one point, you need to take the 2nd footbridge rather than the 1st.
You can't see all the menhirs.
I hiked on 25 May and the paths were very muddy and in some places there were lots of puddles. So be careful.

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Lisa_LT
Lisa_LT

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of walk : Jan 06, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Busy trail : No

I was very pleased with the hike and its description, well done and thank you. However, watch out for the update: I suspect that the tree with two shafts has been cut down and that one of the two "feet in the water" menhirs has fallen.

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Cathsab
Cathsab

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of walk : Dec 31, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Busy trail : No

A very pleasant, well explained walk along the Yerres. We really enjoyed it and so did our dogs.

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quetil
quetil

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of walk : Nov 13, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Busy trail : No

Following the bad weather of the last few days.
A few very muddy sections and a large fallen tree that has to be avoided.

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PhiCa
PhiCa

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of walk : Jul 23, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Busy trail : No

Windmills and menhirs are just the pretext for a beautiful walk along the Yerres, with its natural surroundings set in an urban environment and its historic heritage.

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HélèneRC
HélèneRC

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of walk : Jun 22, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : No

A very pretty walk between the Senard forest and the banks of the Yerres. Very quiet on a Friday morning.
When the weather is sunny and warm, my advice is to do it backwards to take advantage of the shade at the end of the route.
Just one problem: we didn't find the 2-barrel tree immediately after a left-hand bend mentioned at the end of paragraph 4. But we took another path and found the trace a little further on. Otherwise, a very detailed and clear description.
Thank you Netra.

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SergeDel
SergeDel

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of walk : May 22, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : No

This route takes you through the forest and then along the river, which is very pleasant.

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fdhellemmes
fdhellemmes

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of walk : May 21, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : No

Très belle rando. Many thanks to Visorando! Just to point out that in the Senart forest, just after the "5", the 'second' crossroads between the Antin forest road and the Ganne tower road is hidden by a grove. Also note that the Senart forest is overrun with Korean squirrels, which are very cute but the main vector of Lyme disease (( so watch out for tick bites.

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