Brienne Walk

Start: Napoleon Museum in Brienne-le-Château or Ecomuseum in Brienne-la-Vieille.

Yellow markings

(S/E) With your back to the Napoleon Museum, head to the right and turn right onto Allée Paul Eluard, then walk past the nursery school. At the end of the lane, take Rue Guesde to the right, then Rue Jules Ferry to the left. In front of the secondary school, turn left onto Rue Julien Reignier and continue straight ahead.

(1) After the level crossing (cross with care), take the dirt track (Chemin des Prêtres) to the right, cross the plain and continue straight on to Brienne-la-Vieille. At the end of the track, continue straight ahead along Allée du Port au Bois, turn right onto Rue du Vieux Moulin, then right again onto Chemin de Milbert.

(2) In front of the Écomusée car park (another possible starting point), continue straight on towards the forest along the path. Cross the railway line (take care) and enter the forest. At the ditches, turn right then immediately left.

(3) At the clearing, turn right towards Château de Brienne, then leave the path to the left to reach the springs and cross the woods alongside the road.

(4) Back on the approach to the château, walk past the stopover lodge and turn left towards the arboretum.

(5) After visiting the arboretum, take the path on the right that leads down to the village of Brienne. Turn right to follow the^{GR® trail}, then head left to walk along the small road beside the château grounds.

(6) At the bottom, continue straight on along Rue des Fours du Château, then turn right towards the bridge. When you reach the bridge, climb the steps on the left to view the castle from the gate and the view of the old quarter from the top of the bridge.

(7) Head down towards the town, passing the bell tower of the old hospital. At the bottom of Avenue Pasteur, turn right to walk up Rue de l’École militaire, passing the church and the town hall.

(8) After the statue of Bonaparte, turn right then left into Rue Montbreton and right into Rue de la Halle. After a quick look at the market hall, take Rue de Loménie (against the flow of traffic) and walk past the former École Danton (built in 1934). Just before the Maison de la Famille, turn into the small lane on the right, then continue straight on along Rue Sainte-Anne, then left onto Rue du Général Berthier, right down the cobbled lane and left onto Ruelle des Vierges. At the roundabout, follow the main road to the right until you reach the Musée Napoléon (S/E) .

Unpaved paths: 62.7%

- In Brienne-le-Château: all shops, tourist office

Along the route:
- Napoleon Museum in Brienne-le-Château: open all year round
- Forêt d'Orient Ecomuseum in Brienne-la-Vieille: open from March to October
- Brienne-le-Château Castle (listed as a Historic Monument): clearly visible but open to the public only on very occasional occasions via guided tours (e.g. Heritage Day)
- Brienne-le-Château Arboretum: free access every day
- Church of Brienne-le-Château: open daily, free entry
- Brienne-le-Château Market Hall: free entry