Réserve Naturelle des Coteaux de la Seine walks

Seventh stage of the Grand Tour of Île-de-France on the GR®11, starting from the village of Genainville, in the heart of the French Vexin, and heading towards Chars station further east. This stage goes hand in hand with the previous Mantes-Genainville stage, with a night in Genainville or the surrounding area necessary to walk between Mantes and Chars stations. This beautiful stage continues the crossing of the equally magnificent French Vexin Regional Nature Park, heading generally eastwards. It joins andthen climbs up the Aubette de Magny valley, crosses a series of agricultural plateaus between Oise and Val d'Oise before descending into the Viosne valley to reach Chars.

Follow in the footsteps of Claude Monet, considered one of the founders of Impressionism, on a hike from station to station along the Seine and its hillsides. Beautiful views punctuate the route. Halfway along the route, there are several possible visits in Giverny, where the painter lived and worked from 1883 until his death in 1926. At the end of the hike, the collegiate church of Vernon is worth a detour.

A long walk from station to station with many different facets! The route follows the Seine, and crossing it halfway along via the Vétheuil ferry makes for a pleasant break. It also runs alongside the Moisson nature reserve, offering superb heathland scenery. There is also some beautiful architectural heritage to be seen. N.B. The ferry across the Seine operates seasonally: this walk can only be undertaken at weekends, from April to October (see practical information).

A walk from station to station through the Rosny-sur-Seine Regional Forest, the Bois Boutilliers, the Vallée des Prés and the Houssaye, during which you’ll also discover some beautiful views and heritage sites.

Sixth stage of the Grand Tour de l'Île-de-France on the GR® 11, linking Mantes-Station railway station in the Yvelines to the village of Genainville in the Val d'Oise, in the heart of the French Vexin. This stage is the first part of a two-day route, the aim of which is to connect Mantes-Station railway station to Chars railway station, further north-east in the Val d'Oise.The stage begins in Mantes-la-Jolie in the Seine valley and heads north through the south-western part of the Vexin Français Regional Nature Park, quickly passing from one of the lowest points in the region (crossing the Seine, at ~18 m) to one of the highest points (the beech forest at Villiers-en-Arthies, at 205 m).The French Vexin, with its unspoilt agricultural and wooded landscapes, is a magnificent region where it is very pleasant to hike.

The walk takes you through a string of pretty villages, each with its own church boasting distinctive architecture and, for the most part, also home to a castle, the most remarkable of which are those at Guiry-en-Vexin, Théméricourt and Viry. There are also several museums along the route: the Archaeological Museum, the Tools Museum, the Harvest Museum and the Maison du Parc.It is also an opportunity to admire the open landscapes of this very hilly French Vexin region, where fields, meadows and forests intermingle. The calcareous meadows are particularly striking in spring due to the abundance of flowers found there.

On this walk from station to station, you’ll stroll through the countryside, passing through small woods and hamlets. You’ll enjoy some lovely views as well as heritage sites.

A long hike from station to station that veers away from the Seine Valley (which is not particularly suitable for hiking in this area) and climbs to higher ground. The route alternates between wooded sections and stretches through fields with sweeping views. There is a wealth of heritage to discover, with two beautiful Romanesque churches in the first part and, towards the end and as a grand finale, the Gothic Collegiate Church of Mantes-la-Jolie.

A lovely walk along the banks of the Seine, passing through pretty villages such as Evecquemont. The starting point and finishing point are two stations on the same SNCF line.

A long hike from station to station, alternating between the banks of the Seine, forests, fields, towns and villages, offering numerous views of the Seine and the French Vexin. The route, dotted with historical landmarks, also serves as a reminder that heavy fighting took place in the region in August 1944.