From Sautron to Orvault via the Cens Valley

Set off from the “François Baudry” bus stop (line 69) on Place François Baudry, in Sautron.

(S) From the square, head north along Rue de l’Église. Walk between the church and the school until you reach the junction with Rue du Doussais (at the top of the stairs). Walk a few metres to the left.

(1) Turn right onto Rue de la Vallée and follow it on the left-hand side until you reach the Parking de la Vallée car park, the starting point for many walks. Cross the road at the pedestrian crossing with care – it’s a very busy road – to join the path that branches off to the right and runs alongside the River Cens.

(2) Follow this path, which goes round Moulin L’Évêque, a large estate with a pond. Cross the small road leading to the estate and, after a short climb, continue on to La Hubonnière.

(3) Turn right and walk through the hamlet until you reach, straight ahead, a wide path which you should take. At the end of this path, turn left onto a steeply descending path (signposted ‘Orvault’). After about thirty metres, you’ll see a steeply descending path on your right, which leads to a wide, almost flat path running along the right bank of the Cens.

(4) This path follows the Cens valley almost all the way to the finish. Continue to a picnic spot near a footbridge.

(5) Do not take the footbridge, so that you remain on the right bank of the Cens (on your left). The relatively narrow, winding path will, after passing a footbridge on the left and turning right immediately afterwards, become a wide, stony path branching off to the left.

(6) Carry on straight ahead, with the Cens on your right, passing the Pont Marchand and then under the Pont aux Prêtres.

(7) Take the Bois de l’Avenir footbridge just as you emerge from the underpass beneath the bridge (towards Petit Moulin) and continue to the embankment. After a right-angle bend followed by a hairpin bend, you’ll walk alongside the Autoroute des Estuaires below. Very soon, you’ll find a passageway on the right leading under this motorway.

(8) As you emerge from the underpass, turn left immediately. After taking two right-hand right-angle bends, take a footbridge which will take you to the other bank of the Cens, passing under the Pont de la Baronnière.

(9) A little further on, turn right onto Rue de la Madonne. At the top of this street, turn left onto Rue de Neuilly and follow it until you come to Rue de Saint Cloud on your right. Follow this street until you reach Place d’Auteuil (E).

To get to the “Orvault-Morlière” bus stop, you can take tram line 2.

If you’re travelling by car, there are several parking options:

• use the car park at the “Beauséjour” tram stop. The tram will take you to “Orvault-Morlière” in a few minutes. On your return, once you’re at Place d’Auteuil, you’ll find the “Petit Chantilly” stop on the TAN 79 route, which will take you back to the “Beauséjour” stop, its terminus.
• You can park easily near the “Orvault-Morlière” station. On your return, from Place d’Auteuil, you’ll find your car by walking up Rue de Vincennes, then taking Avenue de la Morlière on your right. Allow 15 minutes for the walk.
• Tip: when setting off, park at Place d’Auteuil and walk to the “Orvault-Morlière” stop as described above: you’ll be fresher for this short city walk…

A lovely spot for a picnic.