Montigny-le-Bretonneux walks

A short walk between forest and fields without leaving Saint-Quentin-en-Yvelines. It will take you to the "Garde Manger", a shop selling local and short route products.

Discover the Ile de Loisirs de Saint-Quentin-en-Yvelines with its nature reserve, a route with few hills and accessible to all.

The Bièvre Valley is undoubtedly one of the best places for hiking in the region. Indeed, in summer it is a succession of ponds and lush green landscapes. This hike takes you through the most interesting part of the valley, featuring a succession of five remarkable ponds. You can then round off your day with a visit to Versailles, adding a touch of history to the route.

The Étang de Saint-Quentin, an artificial lake covering an area of approximately 150 hectares, is located in the municipalities of Trappes and Montigny-le-Bretonneux (Pas-du-lac district), within the new town of Saint-Quentin-en-Yvelines. It is part of a large leisure and outdoor recreation centre covering a total area of 600 hectares. Various leisure activities can be enjoyed there. It serves as a wintering ground for many migratory birds. More than 230 species of birds inhabit the 90 hectares of the reserve.

This is the upstream section of this series of three walks dedicated to the Bièvre. A very pleasant route along the river and its ponds, in a setting that is mostly bucolic. A walk from station to station, the length of which can be adapted according to conditions or preference.

A pleasant walk through the forest and along the Minière ponds.

A short hike to discover the Mérantaise valley, the Croix du Bois, the Mérantais wash house, the village of Magny-les-Hameaux, the Maison des Bonheurs (family of 19th-century painters), the Domaine de Brouëssy, and the stele of Hélène Boucher (early 20th-century aviator).

A short forest hike in two stages. After a lovely view of the former Port-Royal-des-Champs Abbey, you climb up the Vallon du Rodhon on a path and trails that wind through the undergrowth. The hike then follows the wide paths of the Port-Royal Forest.

A short walk to explore the narrow lanes of the La Bretonnière neighbourhood in Voisins-le-Bretonneux and its surroundings. It is perfectly suited to the lockdown period: the route takes an hour and stays within a 1 km radius of the Quarante Arpents school complex, located in the heart of the neighbourhood. More than three-quarters of the route is along pedestrian paths surrounded by greenery.

The Town of Bois d’Arcy pays particular attention to the management and maintenance of its tree heritage. Thanks to a mapped inventory combined with a profile for each tree, it ensures precise monitoring, enabling high-quality maintenance. Each tree is identified within the town by a marker equipped with a QR code that links directly to this page. This trail invites you to discover the town’s tree heritage via a 6.5 km walking route. A simple, modern and fun way to get to know the nature around us better.

A stroll around the picturesque ponds of the Bièvre springs. Beautiful landscapes full of relief on the ponds, mallards, moorhens, gulls, etc. Silence, perhaps a stag with beautiful antlers and does. The Minière ponds consist of several bodies of water: the Moulin à Renard Pond, the Minière Pond and the Val d'Or Pond. These ponds, nestled in the forest of Versailles, cover a total area of 25 hectares at an average altitude of 110 metres and a maximum depth of 15 metres. The source of the Bièvre is located upstream from the ponds, in the nearby hamlet of Bouviers. After a 32.8-kilometre journey, the Bièvre flows into the Seine in Paris.

A circular route that starts on a cultivated plateau before descending into the Mérantaise valley. Then, mostly in the undergrowth, you play leapfrog with the river.

This is the third stage of the GR® 11 Grand Tour of Île-de-France. It continues through the Yvelines, between Saint-Cyr station and Villiers-Neauphle-Pontchartrain station. This stage completes the 'radial' part of the GR® starting from Paris and joins the circular loop that circles the region from Villiers-Saint-Frédéric. The route passes through increasingly large wooded areas as you approach the countryside.

A walk in a green setting and beside a peaceful little lake in the middle of Élancourt (on the border with Maurepas). Combine it with a visit to the Commanderie des Templiers de la Villedieu and, why not, a visit to France Miniature, which is right next door.

A walk between the new town and the forest. The Étang des Noés is home to many birds that nest in the reeds on its banks. After walking around the pond, the more adventurous can take an easy stroll through the forest.

A walk between ponds, country lanes and forest, passing through the small town of Mesnil-Saint-Denis. This hike is accessible to all. It takes you through a variety of places with lovely views. Please note that there is virtually no shade for two-thirds of the route between the points (1) and (6), so it is best to avoid it in very hot weather.

PLEASE NOTE THAT IT WILL NO LONGER BE POSSIBLE TO DO THIS ROUTE FROM SEPTEMBER 2022 DUE TO THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE HILL FOR THE 2024 OLYMPIC GAMES. This route passes by many interesting sites and places: an old church, a lake, viewpoints and, in particular, La Revanche hill, the highest point in the Île-de-France region. It is advisable to do this route on a clear day if possible, so that you can enjoy the view of the entire region to the full.

Short hike in the Île-de-France region, from Élancourt Village to the Courance de Maurepas pond. The outward journey follows the left bank of the Ru d'Elancourt, the return journey follows the right bank. The first part (from (S) to (3)) can no longer be done. The entire Elancourt hill (la Revanche) is under construction in preparation for the Olympic Games and is therefore closed to hiking. This will remain the case until 2025... See reviews

In the footsteps of Jean Racine, in places steeped in history. A walk through a variety of environments, between forests, meadows and cultivated fields, with a lovely view of the ancient Abbey of Port-Royal des Champs.

Hike through the heights of the Versailles National Forest with views of the Étangs de la Geneste and Val d'Or ponds, and don't forget to see the remarkable oak tree of Louis XIV.

Visit the Château de la Madeleine's belvedere, castle and cellars via a trail around the Plaine de la Madeleine. We recommend starting from the "Carrefour de Milon," which is accessible from the beautiful little village of Milon-la-Chapelle.

Circular route dotted with beautiful views. You pass through forests and villages, streams and ponds, and alongside historic and remarkable sites such as Château de la Madeleine and Port Royal with its Jean Racine trail. The only difficulty is the short steep climb to Château de Chevreuse.

A short walk on either side of the Ru de Gally, with beautiful views of the plain and the Palace of Versailles and a rich heritage in the charming village of Rennemoulin.

A short walk along the streams of the Plaine de Versailles, including the Ru de Gally, which has its source in the castle grounds. The charming village of Rennemoulin boasts a chapel, a wash house and an old bridge, while the Fontaine de Maltoute fountain offers a pleasant, shaded spot to stop for a break. Unacceptable behaviour has been observed; see the warning in the practical information section.

The walk begins in Rennemoulin, following the Ru de Gally to Les Bordes in Villepreux. The route heads back up towards the sports facilities in Villepreux, circles round the rear of Villepreux Castle and joins the Voie Royale, which leads back to Rennemoulin. This short walk offers the chance to admire the landscapes of the Versailles plain from the heights of Villepreux and to explore the village of Rennemoulin.

A green loop around the ponds of Moulin à Renard, La Minière, Val d'Or and La Geneste in the Bièvre valley, with an optional detour to admire the Arcades de Buc.

This route allows you to discover both the Minière ponds, upstream of the Bièvre river, and to pass close to the Palace of Versailles by crossing the Parc des Suisses. It is also a route through the Versailles National Forest, allowing you to enjoy a pleasant walk along the Bièvre. It is a route for all seasons, as the landscape changes with the weather.

You will cross from one side of the small valley to the other, where the Ru de la Courance flows, and on the opposite side you will follow a hillside route amongst mainly oak and chestnut trees, as well as ferns and heather in season. You will have the opportunity to walk alongside the Bassin de la Courance, either close by or at a distance.

A varied route, more than half of which is through woodland. Crosses a village via footpaths, a plain with views, and a pond. The surface of the route is in good condition, except for the embankment, depending on the height of the grass. A pleasant little walk well worth discovering.

A varied route through built-up areas, fields, ditches, canals and ponds. A very shaded route on a variety of surfaces including tarmac, gravel, earth and grass. Passing by Château de Buc, along the Golf National, Toussus-le-Noble airfield, Guyancourt, and the Val d'Or and Geneste ponds.

A beautiful hike to discover the beautiful sights of the Chevreuse valley: the Chatillonmill, the castle of Dampierre, the blacksmith’s, the villages of Fourcherolles, Senlisse and Choisel, Méridon castle, the village of Chevreuse and its small bridges along the Yvette, and Château de la Madeleine.

A short hike in the Upper Chevreuse Valley, rich in heritage and offering beautiful views of the Vallon du Pommeret and the wooded hills that surround it.

This hike will take you from castle to castle in the Chevreuse Valley: Coubertin, Méridon, Breteuil, Dampierre and La Madeleine. You will also discover Chevreuse, its small bridges and its Saint-Martin Church (with its remarkable ambulatory) and the surrounding countryside. The hike can start from Chevreuse or from the RER B station at Saint-Rémy-les-Chevreuse (departure and return details in italics). In this case, add 2 km to the length of the hike.

At the heart of the Chevreuse Valley Natural Park, a hike that allows you to wander through a protected natural site with a trail laid out by the Park. In the Bois de Maincourt, one can see ancient sandstone quarries. The course of the river Yvette, which the trail follows on the way back, finally allows a patrimonial approach with old mills and old washhouses.

This short route alternates between forest paths and paths along fields, following a small stream called Rouillon de Valence. It ends with a return to Dampierre-en-Yvelines in front of the château and its majestic park.

The first part of the hike takes in many points of interest. The second part offers a route through forest and quiet country lanes. This circuit is not recommended for young children as it includes some very steep and stony paths.

A short walk through the woods will take you to Saint-Pierre-de-Plaisir Church and Plaisir Castle.

Starting from the Bassin de la Courance in Maurepas, you will walk through woods, fields and small hillside villages. This hike is accessible to everyone, young and old alike.

A very short walk to get some fresh air around a pond that is home to many birds. Along the way, you will discover a Gothic-style church, the ruins of the keep of the former Château de Maurepas and a remarkable oak tree.

A very beautiful hike to discover the wonderful rural and natural landscape of the north-west of the Chevreuse Valley, offering a radical change of scenery from the urban and commercial area of Coignières.

This urban route, in the heart of Versailles, takes you to places that marked the beginning of the French Revolution. We start at the Hôtel des Menus Plaisirs, where the Estates General met on 5 May 1789. We pass by Saint Louis Cathedral, where a mass was held before the opening. Finally, we visit the Salle du Jeu de Paume, where on 20 June 1789, 578 deputies took an oath not to separate until a new constitution had been promulgated.

This magnificent route will allow you to discover the wonders of the Chevreuse Valley, passing through the Domaine de Coubertin, the Meridon Departmental Forest, the Bois du Vossery sandstone quarry, the village of Chevreuse with its shopping streets, its church, the Promenade des Petits Ponts and its medieval castle.

Thirty-third and penultimate stage of the Grand Tour of Île-de-France via the GR®11, almost entirely in the Yvelines department.It starts in Saint-Rémy-lès-Chevreuse and reaches Coignières after climbing up the Yvette valley and crossing the Haute Vallée de Chevreuse Regional Nature Park with its rich natural and architectural heritage, just a stone's throw from Paris and its inner suburbs.

From the RER B station at Saint-Rémy-lès-Chevreuse, visit the 11th-century medieval castle (1030) in Chevreuse and its ramparts, with a view overlooking the Chevreuse Valley. A day of nature, sport, excitement and gastronomy awaits you.

The first part of this walk alternates between woodland and fields. The return journey is through undergrowth, along the former railway line that used to link Saint-Rémy-lès-Chevreuse and Limours.

A hike from station to station where you play leapfrog with the Yvette River! The route is mostly close to the river and crosses a few woods and pretty parks, including the one in the western part of the Paris-Sud University campus.

A tour of the grounds of the Palace of Versailles, including the Swiss Garden and a visit to the King's Kitchen Garden.

The park of the Palace of Versailles covers 815 hectares in the municipality of Versailles. It is managed by the public institution of the Palace and Estate of Versailles. Apart from the main tourist sites of the Palace, it is occupied by forest and agricultural plots, criss-crossed by large straight paths. It is in this park that the Gally stream, which drains the Grand Canal, originates and flows westwards. The route starts at the Saint Antoine gate, passes behind the palace, and ends with a tour of the Trianon estate, allowing you to return to the Saint Antoine gate. It includes a passage through the palace gardens, which are only accessible free of charge in winter.

In addition to introducing you to the Domaines d'Ors nature reserve, this route is of interest because it allows you to discover the old sandstone quarries at the start of the route, which are ideal for fun activities, and the Ruisseau du Fond de la Cure at the end of the route, whose steep gradient and the sound of the torrent give the impression of a mountain trail.

Hike along the Yvette river, with its wash houses, passing by the Château de la Madeleine. The route also passes through a forest in a former sandstone quarry.

This walk allows you to discover the towns of Bailly and Noisy-le-Roi, as well as the Domaine de la Tuilerie and the Marly Forest, which form a lush green local environment.

This is the thirty-fourth and final stage of the Grand Tour of Île-de-France via the GR®11. It starts in Coignières and ends in Villiers-Saint-Frédéric, where the radial section of the GR® coming from Paris meets the circular section, which will therefore be completed here. The route follows, more or less closely, the course of the Mauldre River, passing through Bazoches-sur-Guyonne, Mareil-le-Guyon and Neauphle-le-Vieux.

This short walk allows you to explore the surroundings of Bailly and Roquencourt. If the forest ground is muddy, you can return via the same route you took on the way there. Bailly and Rocquencourt are located in the Versailles plain on the edge of the Forest of Marly. The municipal area of Rocquencourt is relatively small: it is one of the smallest municipalities in the Yvelines department.

An unsuspected corner of wild nature, just twenty kilometres from Paris. In the Parc Départemental des Côtes de Montbron, the Ru de Saint-Marc and three ponds are home to a variety of flora and numerous birds. A short walk for nature lovers! 15/11/2024: A landslide has been reported just past the point (6) and it seems impossible to get through at the moment.

The Forest of Marly covers 2,000 hectares about twenty kilometres west of Paris, between Saint-Germain-en-Laye and Versailles. It stretches 12 km from east to west and connects to the Forest of Saint-Germain-en-Laye via the Plaine de la Jonction. It is a former hunting ground of the kings of France. The hike includes a route through this forest starting from Bailly.

The route starts at the Place du Marché in Bailly and crosses the Versailles plain, following the Ru de Gally for part of the way and passing through the village of Rennemoulin, where you can admire the Chapelle Saint-Nicolas and the wash house.

A hike which is mostly in the forest, with lovely sections along the Mérantaise river and the ditches which run down from the Saclay Plateau.

A south-north crossing offering a very varied route. Sections through the forest alternate with stretches across fields. Water features are plentiful, with several rivers—the Yvette, the Marette and the Bièvre—and the Étangs de Montbrond set in their lush green surroundings. (Warning) The route is cut off at the point (12) due to works on Metro Line 18 (as of March 2026). A diversion is under consideration. Please refrain from undertaking this hike until further notice.

A hike from station to station, yo-yoing between the Yvette valley and the Saclay plateau, with a few fairly steep hills. After a mostly wooded route with some elevation, you cross Gif-sur-Yvette and then walk along a wetland area framed by two rivers. You climb back up onto the plateau, near the Paris-Saclay University campus. After visiting the old Troche quarry and walking along the edge of the plateau, you descend back into the valley.

Hike along steep paths then through the narrow streets of a picturesque village.

Circular route through the Saclay plateau, the woods at the edge of the plateau and the Bonnard Marsh.

This circular mainly covers the Marly Forest, allowing you to walk theGR®1from Chambourcy to Louveciennes. On the way back, the route crosses the Parc du Domaine Royal de Marly.

A hike from station to station that crosses the Marly National Forest and then the Tailles d'Herbelay Departmental Forest. It then offers a visit to the charming town centre of Chambourcy and a short walk in the Saint-Germain-en-Laye National Forest. The route ends in Poissy, where you can admire the Collegiate Church of Notre-Dame and the remains of the Old Bridge over the Seine.

A mainly forest route with several remarkable trees here and there. The site of the Croix Saint-Michel offers a view stretching as far as Paris. A short but fairly challenging hike, given the alternating ascents and descents (the total elevation gain is probably underestimated; allow for around 200m).

Around Saint-Nom-la-Bretèche station - Marly Forest, a walk in a beautiful deciduous forest. It suffered greatly from the great storm of 1999, which flattened the oak trees on the motorway like straw, but this hike has a high density of remarkable trees (oaks, hornbeams, beeches). As the Marly forest is crossed by several busy roads, this hike focuses on the quietest part. It also offers a few viewpoints.

A walk from station to station that crosses the Marly State Forest, then Marly Park and finally the Louveciennes Forest. The route ends in Vaucresson, in an urban setting.

The park is located in Marly-le-Roi and managed by the Public Establishment of the Palace, Museum and National Estate of Versailles. A sloping park on the south bank of the Seine, its lower part overlooks the centre of Marly. To the east, it is very close to the Louveciennes national forest, from which it is separated by the Route de Versailles. It still features the grand alignments of the Louis XIV era, the layout of the château on the ground, and the drinking trough downstream of the park with its two basins topped by copies of the Chevaux de Marly. The royal gate and the gates of the former château, such as the main gate and the Phare gate, protect access to the estate. The GPX track may prove useful.

Near Rambouillet, the Vaux de Cernay offer many pleasant walks. The one suggested here gives a good overview of the site’s variety: ponds and wetlands, a passage through a sandstone boulder field and through the old quarries. This walk is enjoyable in all seasons.

A hike that allows you to discover centuries-old chestnut trees.

A half-day walk, mainly in the woods, with a beautiful pond and the vast lawn of the Domaine de Beauregard.

A former royal estate (Louis XIV liked to entertain his friends here, away from the court), the Parc de Marly combines a rich heritage with the pleasure of strolling along woodland paths, wide avenues and vast lawns.

The Marly Pumping Station was built at the end of the 17th century to pump water from the Seine and supply the ponds at the Château de Marly and those at the Château de Versailles. This walk, largely through urban areas, passes through a small section of the Marly Forest and then the park of the same name, where the ponds still remain. After a steep descent to the Marly Pumping Station, the route crosses the picturesque Île de la Loge before climbing back up to the heights of Marly-le-Roi.

A walk from station to station, mainly through woodland. The route alternates between wide, signposted paths and less-used trails where a good sense of direction is useful. Along the way, there are lovely woodland scenes, several remarkable trees and an old 18th-century cross.

A relatively short route but with some steep slopes, in a beautiful forest setting.

A loop around the Bois de Montabé, following the edge of an old railway line, a short section across fields and ending on paths and lanes. A walk to get some fresh air in the afternoon.

A walk from station to station that begins with narrow streets and paths in L'Étang-la-Ville and Mareil-Marly, through their gardens and apple orchards. The rest of the route takes place entirely in the Marly Forest, alternating between compacted tracks, sometimes damp dirt tracks and little-known paths deep in the undergrowth. Along the way, you’ll find beautiful woodland scenery, several remarkable trees and an old 18th-century cross.

This rural route will take you to Pecqueuse, where you can admire the town of Limours from the viaduct overlooking it. You will also discover the old aerotrain line, now converted into a greenway discreetly hidden under the canopy.

This hike starts in Gif-sur-Yvette and takes you to the heights of the Saint-Aubin and Vallée Bonnard channels, following the Yvette river and returning via La Mérantaise, passing through the Bois d'Aigrefoin, the Saint-Aubin communal forest and the Coupières basin.

A loop starting from Cernay-la-Ville. Head west towards Le Perray and Vieille-Église. Return via the Rambouillet Forest. 75% of the route is in the forest. Start and finish in the town centre.The circuit is almost flat (a small descent and climb towards the end), with a little road at the start and end (2 x 1.5 km) and the rest on forest paths. No technical difficulty, but it's not a leisurely ride (not suitable for families), as the paths can be very bumpy (stones, ruts, etc.) but are nevertheless often very beautiful.

This circular route follows theGR®1trail from Bois de Louveciennes to Rond de la Balustrade in Parc de Saint-Cloud on the way there.

A hike with varied landscapes. The route is mainly through the undergrowth of a beautiful forest with sections along the riverbank. 07/08/2023 Moderator's note: hike modified at point 2 to avoid private property.

Starting from Bougival station, a walk towards the Seine takes in some of the region’s most remarkable heritage sites: the remains of the Marly Pumping Station and the Château de Monte-Cristo.

A mainly forest route despite its proximity to Paris! After crossing the Bois de Louveciennes, you can enjoy the Parc de Marly, with its views and ponds. The route ends in the Marly National Forest, with a winding path at first, then a wide, straight path.

Starting from the car park at the old sandpit, walk slightly uphill through the forest, then downhill along a stream, past the farm and continue along the stream.

A walk that allows you to discover the places favoured by the Impressionists and the beautiful old villas that dot the banks of the Seine. The route is perfectly passable even when it has rained.