The White Rabbit Trail

On the shores of Lake d’Orient, the traditional village of Mesnil-Saint-Père has retained its authentic Champagne charm. The interpretive trail winds its way between the houses and orchards, between the harbour and the church.

Details

2217780
Creation:
Last update:
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  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 2.08 mi
  • ◔
    Average duration: 1h 00 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Easy

  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 43 ft
  • ↘
    Descent: - 43 ft

  • ▲
    Highest point: 479 ft
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 436 ft

Photos

Description of the walk

Park near the town hall in Mesnil-Saint-Père.

Signposting: rabbit symbol

(S/E) Opposite the town hall, take the path to the right of the building and head towards the church porch.
Once you have passed through the church porch, turn right and take the grassy path. At the end of this path, take the opportunity to explore the Mesnil-Saint-Père educational orchard on your left, then return to the crossroads.

Head straight on, then, after about a hundred metres, turn right to go up the Voie du Rang (the path opposite the information board on the wildlife of the bocage).

(1) At the end of the lane, turn left and take the small path (Ruelle des Oies) to the left of the white half-timbered building. At the end, repeat the same procedure as before by turning left and then right onto the grassy path (Ruelle des Vignes).

At the end of the lane, turn left, then, at the information board, turn left again and follow the path to the end.

(2) At the junction, turn right onto Place du Lavoir, then after passing the small pond, turn left. Then turn right onto Rue Yvonne Martinot.

(3) At the yellowish half-timbered barn, take the small grassy path on the left, then, at the end, turn right. Walk up the street for about 80 m, and turn left onto the grassy path opposite the brick barn. At the next junction, turn left into Rue du Champ d’Honneur, then at the end, turn right towards the lake.

(4) Once you reach the lake’s banks, take the sharp left-hand bend and walk along the lake for about 350 m. Opposite the information board about Mesnil-Saint-Père in 1963, take the grassy path behind you, walk past the educational orchard and then head back to the town hall (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : mi 0 - alt. 436 ft - Mesnil-Saint-Père Town Hall
  2. 1 : mi 0.46 - alt. 436 ft - End of the Voie du Rang
  3. 2 : mi 0.78 - alt. 436 ft - Place du Lavoir
  4. 3 : mi 1.04 - alt. 440 ft - Yellowish half-timbered barn
  5. 4 : mi 1.59 - alt. 476 ft - Banks of the - Lac d'Orient
  6. S/E : mi 2.08 - alt. 436 ft - Mesnil-Saint-Père Town Hall

Notes

Unpaved paths: 72.6%.

Interpretive trail created by the municipality of Mesnil-Saint-Père with the support of the Forêt d'Orient Regional Nature Park. Free leaflet available at the town hall and the Maison du Parc.

Worth a visit

- Saint-André Church.

- Lac d’Orient is an artificial lake: created in 1966 as a diversion from the Seine, this reservoir covers 23km² and can hold 205 million of water. It is one of four reservoirs designed to protect Paris from flooding. A national nature reserve has been established there to protect the flora and fauna. The development of water sports and swimming has boosted tourism.

Reviews and comments

4.8 / 5
Based on 3 reviews

Reliability of the description
5 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.7 / 5
Route interest
4.7 / 5
Na nie
Na nie

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Apr 08, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

A really nice route

Machine-translated

Juliette B
Juliette B

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : May 11, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A family route in spring under glorious sunshine – the perfect setting. We did it twice, in both directions, so as not to miss any of the flowers, the half-timbered houses or the views of the lake. The path is well signposted; we’d recommend it for families – just follow the white rabbit signs.

Machine-translated

micmado
micmado

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Dec 05, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

It’s a shame there were a few hiccups with the on-site guidance.
Otherwise, an interesting route through this small tourist village in the summer.

Machine-translated

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