Morainvilliers walks

A hilly route from village to village, with views of Paris and La Défense.

The first part of the circuit from Bures to Chapet passes through fields along farm tracks, then crosses Chapet and reaches the hamlet of Brezolles, before returning through the woods

Starting from the village of Bazemont, rich in heritage, this is a forest loop for a good half of the route, with passages between fields and along the streams that drain them.

A hike that alternates between forest and fields, with a small pond that is ideal for a pleasant break.

A pleasant route alternating between small villages, forest edges and wide open horizons.

A varied hike, with a beautiful wooded route in the western part of the Forest of Marly and a stroll through the village of Feucherolles. A hike with two loops, lending itself to several variations, such as limiting yourself to the 7.5 km forest loop.

A pleasant hike through the forest and along a golf course in a little-known part of the Marly National Forest.

This route follows part ofthe GR®26 trailon the plateau above the Mauldre.

In search of a little blue butterfly. During a break halfway through, I saw a magnificent blue butterfly, just once, which was quite exceptional. This gave me the idea to write an article and since then, I have always dreamed of seeing it again.

A hike on the slopes of both banks of the Mauldre, a tributary of the Seine between the Plaine de Versailles and the Mantois. The route, consisting of two loops, alternates between residential areas, forests and fields. A rich heritage, partly linked to water, can be discovered along the way: an old fortified castle, old mills, a siphon bridge, farm buildings, a church, etc.

This circuit consists almost exclusively of paved forest roads, at least in part, and is closed to motor traffic. This allows you to hike in the forest without having to surf on paths full of water and mud in winter.

This circular hike in the Beynes forest takes you past several underground gas storage sites. You will then cross the village of Saulx-Marchais, passing by its old church and town hall before crossing the fields to reach Neauphle-le-Vieux and the Mauldre river. Return to the starting point via the Beynes forest.

A water-themed hike: from the meanders of the Aubette to the springs that enliven the Vexin region.

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 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).

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.

The route follows the Avenue Verte (Paris-London cycle route) from Jouy-le-Moutier to Vauréal. After crossing the Oise at the major axis, it returns via the Cergy ponds and the towpath to the Pont de Neuville bridge.

A short walk, where heritage sites (churches, wash houses, covered walkway) alternate with a path along the Oise river.

In the southern French Vexin region, this circuit takes you through fields and woods, playing leapfrog with the River Montcient. The Cave aux Fées, a covered passage dating from 2500 BC, bears witness to ancient human occupation. A dovecote, an old water mill and several wash houses are also worth seeing.

At the southern edge of the French Vexin, a loop that starts along the Montcient river, with the old Moulin Brûlé, and then alternates between ascents and descents in the woods or between fields.

A short walk along the streams of the Plaine de Versailles, including the Ru de Gally, which rises in the castle grounds. The charming village of Rennemoulin boasts a chapel, a wash house and an old bridge, while the Fontaine de Maltoute is a pleasant place to stop and rest in the shade.