Sommelans walks

Along the way, you will pass through the charming villages of the Clignon Valley, the Moulin de Brisé in Monthiers, the wash house in Licy Clignon, the fountain in Torcy en Vallois, the American and German military cemeteries in Belleau, and the Bois de Belleau.

Near the Ourcq Valley, on a hillock in the middle of fields, stands a monument commissioned to celebrate the victory of the Second Battle of the Marne but which, instead of glorifying the victors, pays tribute to those who died or went missing in the Great War. This work by sculptor Paul Landowski is the main destination of this memorial hike. Three beautiful churches, dating from the 12th and 13th centuries, complete the picture.

A hike through the woods to discover bluebells, the village of Villeneuve-sur-Fère where Paul Claudel lived, and a visit to the Hottée du Diable (a unique rock erosion site).

This hike takes place largely under the tall trees of the Retz Forest. It also passes through the village of Oigny-en-Valois, nestled in a vast clearing with its rich monumental heritage: the castle, the church and the Charpentier Mausoleum, in particular.

Fifteenth stage of the Grand Tour of Île-de-France via the GR®11, between La Ferté-Milon station in Aisne and Crouy-sur-Ourcq station in Seine-et-Marne. A relatively easy stage that follows the towpath of the canalised Ourcq River to Mareuil-sur-Ourcq, then the Ourcq Canal, which separates from the river at that point.A short detour is suggested at the start of the stage to the Château de La Ferté-Milon on the heights of the town, offering a magnificent view of the surrounding area. Similarly, at the end, the GR® offers a short detour through the woods to the oratory and then the Chapelle Notre-Dame du Chêne before reaching Crouy-sur-Ourcq station.

This hike is the first stage of a project to walk the entire length of the Canal de l'Ourcq.Departure from La Ferté-Milon station. The first part can be done as a circular route with return to the same station (9.4km, easy).A pleasant trail through the hills overlooking the valley. Beautiful views followed by the canal with its pretty winding and shaded sections.

Take a stroll through La Fontaine country, passing by the First World War memorial and ending up between the sky and the Champagne vineyards.

Historical walk from Jean de La Fontaine to the memorial commemorating the first engagements of the American army in 1918, passing through the Champagne vineyards.

In the land of Jean de La Fontaine… A tour of his birthplace and a walk through the heart of the AOP vineyard closest to Paris.

A very varied walk, the main highlight of which is the Hottée du Diable sandstone boulder field (a mini Fontainebleau). The rest of the walk alternates between forests, meadows and farmland, crosses several streams, and takes in a fine variety of churches and chapels. There are also numerous remains of cave dwellings and the ruins of an abbey at Val Chrétien. This is also the home of Camille and Paul Claudel, whose house can be visited during the season and on opening days.

At the gateway to Champagne, Montreuil-aux-Lions invites you to take a walk among well-tended vineyards and bubbling streams. In addition to its imposing town hall and listed Saint-Martin church, there are numerous footpaths where you can appreciate the preserved local heritage. Montreuil-aux-Lions is full of hidden gems, some of which have been forgotten, waiting to be rediscovered.

The Retz Forest was the scene of intense fighting during the two battles of the Marne, in September 1914 and during the summer of 1918. Numerous monuments retrace this history, and this hike, which starts at the foot of the ruins of Longpont Abbey, passes by a memorial built in 1938. Beech and pine forests, with beautiful fern undergrowth, await you on this mainly forest trail.

In the footsteps of Léon-Augustin-Lhermitte, painter of the peasants of Champagne, late 19th century. Walk up Mont-Saint-Père, passing by the Gland orientation table, then stroll along the Marne to finish up on the Chartèves hillside, a nature reserve where you can find around thirty plant species (orchids, etc.) and invertebrate fauna (spotted salamanders) and insectivorous birds.

This hike in the Omois region between Ourcq and Canal du Clignon will introduce you to the history of this region and its ancestral heritage. Crossing the Marais de Négando allows you to discover a natural setting, amidst the peat bogs and poplar groves of the Ourcq valley, where amphibians, dragonflies, butterflies and numerous water birds can be observed depending on the season.

Straddling three departments, this hike runs partly along the Ourcq Canal and its tributary, the Clignon Canal. You will also walk through fields and end with an original route through the Marais de Beauval and along the Rivière Ourcq, surrounded by dense vegetation that is home to many birds. A stroll through the village of Crouy-sur-Ourcq and the hamlet of Moisy, with their rich heritage, complete this very diverse hike.

Sixteenth stage of the Grand Tour of Île-de-France via the GR®11, between Crouy-sur-Ourcq and Isles-Armentières-Congis stations in Seine-et-Marne. This stage, which is still relatively easy, continues the descent of the Canal de l'Ourcq - with a detour to the Multien plateau and the village of May-en-Multien - and continues along the Marne.

This walk, which straddles three departments, offers the chance to discover the beautiful Orxois region, with its rich architectural and natural heritage: marshes, viewpoints, the Ourcq Canal, the Clignon Diversion Canal, Gesvres-le-Duc Castle, the Templar Commandery and much more besides...

A walk from station to station, mainly along the towpath of the Canal de l'Ourcq. A circular route allows you to gain a little height and admire the church of May-en-Multien, built in the 12th century, up close.

Discover the south-facing hillsides on the right bank of the Marne, covered with Champagne vineyards, then those on the north-facing left bank with their deciduous woods and the Dhuys Aqueduct. The journey is enhanced by passing through several pretty wine-growing villages.

A circular route comprising half farmland and half woodland, also passing through a few large Briard farms and some unusual livestock farms (deer, pheasants), skirting a beautiful pond in a very wild setting, and ending at the ruins of a 13th–14th-century abbey.

A route that allows us to enjoy views of the first Champagne vineyards, walk along the Dhuis Aqueduct and pass by a deer farm.

A bucolic walk between the Marne and the vineyards around Nogent-l'Artaud, visiting a few wash houses, some of which evoke La Fontaine's Fables.

The three only communes in Île-de-France located in the Champagne appellation area are nestled in a circular loop of the Marne. This is a very pretty route through the vineyards and along the Dhuis Aqueduct, punctuated by beautiful views and places to stop for a break on the banks of the Marne.

A walk that will introduce you to the first vineyards of Champagne and various structures of the Dhuis aqueduct. Moderator update as of 24/09/2020: Please note! Issue regarding private property between (11) and (12). See description for an alternative route

End of this Paris region section of the “Via Colombani”, a detour from the Way of Saint Columbanus which crosses no fewer than five European countries. The identification of the Way of Saint-Colomban provided an opportunity to highlight his major role in the monastic foundations of early Christian Europe. The European Columbanian associations then set about mapping this monk’s route across Europe, marking the major sites along the way with a bronze plaque.

A hike from station to station (easily accessible by train), shaded between balconies overlooking the Marne, meadows and fields along the river, alternating between woods and vineyards. The route follows a relatively wild and quiet circular loop of the Marne. Ideal in dry and sunny weather. (!) Be aware of hunting days. Check with the town hall for hunting days (every other Sunday).

A discovery tour of three communes: Nanteuil-sur-Marne, Citry and Saâcy-sur-Marne, which are entitled to the Champagne appellation in Seine-et-Marne. A delightful walk offering beautiful views of the Marne Valley and its slopes, where sun-drenched vineyards alternate with deep woods.

Set off to explore the vineyards of the Marne Valley. As you wander and meet people, an authentic region will reveal itself. Luminous landscapes will unfold as you pass the vineyard-covered hillsides that wind along the Marne. Enjoy a bountiful region that offers a blend of tradition and wine tasting during your visit to the Portes de la Champagne!

The route begins under the majestic beech trees of the Retz National Forest. It then passes through typical villages with a rich architectural heritage. The path overlooks the valleys of the Ourcq and its tributaries. You will discover the beginning of the Ourcq Canal. The Donjon du Houssoy welcomes you at the end of the route in Crouy-sur-Ourcq.

Fourteenth stage, entirely in the Aisne department, of the Grand Tour of Île-de-France via the GR®11, between the stations of Villers-Cotterêts and La Ferté-Milon. During this stage, we switch to the eastern side of Île-de-France, leaving the Oise basin to reach the Ourcq valley and the Marne basin.As the stage is short, a small (optional) circular in Villers-Cotterêts is suggested at the start, to discover the magnificent park of its equally magnificent château. It can be done after the previous stage completed the day before, with an overnight stay in Villers-Cotterêts.

The Retz Forest was the scene of intense fighting during the two battles of the Marne, in September 1914 and during the summer of 1918. Numerous monuments retrace this history, and this hike offers the opportunity to discover several of them, including a replica of a tall observation tower and a moving military cemetery. Starting from a pretty village with a charmingly simple church, the route is mainly through forest.

A lovely, easy walk through nature and heritage, best enjoyed in good weather. Peace, tranquillity and fresh air are its main attractions , culminating in a visit to Valsery Abbey. Guided tours are available at weekends in summer. The passage in front of Montgobert Castle also invites you to visit the Wood Museum. At the end of the route, enjoy rural scenery and a magnificent view from the highest point of the plain over the Mont de Valsery farm. The route is very shaded between the various points (2) and (3) by large trees. You pass near the Ferme de Saint-Agnan (3), one of the first properties of the Abbey of Valsery, 2 km away, then near the Château de Mongobert (4) and at the end of the route near the Ferme du Mont de Valsery (6). The path is wide and pleasant throughout.

We invite you to discover an itinerary combining history and nature, offering exceptional panoramic views of the village of Saint-Pierre-Aigle. A grassy path will lead us towards the Dommier quarry, before we take a farm track that will take us to Saint-Pierre-Aigle. Here, we will have a magnificent view of the village's central square and church. The hike continues through Chafossepour to reach the surrounding forest. After this immersion in the rural world, we will continue our journey through the undergrowth for about 2 km, sheltered by the coolness of the trees. Nature will then reveal the place known as Le Trou Madelon, where we will gradually emerge from the forest and enter the plain. From there, we will walk along the edge of Saint-Pierre, on the edge of the woods, before beginning our descent towards Valsery Abbey.

The route begins with a grassy path that climbs 60 metres, offering a beautiful ascent at the start. It then continues on flat terrain, following agricultural paths that are ideal for enjoying the surroundings while walking at a leisurely pace. After this section, a descent leads to the picturesque village of Saint-Pierre-Aigle, a charming place to take a short break. The rest of the route takes you into the forest, with 8 kilometres of forest paths, pleasant and varied terrain, perfect for nature lovers. You then cross the village of Montgobert, adding a touch of diversity before returning to the plain. The return journey is along farm tracks, offering wide views and unobstructed vistas of the surrounding countryside. Finally, a last descent takes you to ValseryAbbey, a historic site that provides a beautiful conclusion to this route.

This hike forms a circular loop around a large bend in the Marne river. It passes through La Ferté-sous-Jouarre, Chamigny, Sainte-Aulde and Luzancy. The route includes sections along the banks of the Marne and through woods and forests, as well as some beautiful views of the hillsides and the river.

A hike that will introduce you to millstone extraction around La Ferté-sous-Jouarre and the banks of the Marne.

A walk that takes us from the millstone quarries to Jouarre Abbey via the Brie plain and the Dhuis aqueduct.

This route, which can be done on foot or by mountain bike, allows you to discover what made the millstone merchants of La Ferté-sous-Jouarre so prosperous, with their millstones renowned and exported all over the world. It winds through the former quarrying areas, where numerous information boards provide details. Along the way, you can enjoy views of La Ferté-sous-Jouarre and the entire Marne valley.

The ‘Between Marne and Meulière’ walk connects the Bois de la Barre with the Bois de la Bergette, which are preserved sites of the former Meulière stone quarries that made La Ferté-sous-Jouarre’s fortune.

A magnificent church, a Merovingian crypt, a Romanesque abbey and a monastery inhabited by Benedictine nuns. A route that will leave a lasting impression. Admire some beautiful views of the Marne Valley and La Ferté-sous-Jouarre.

A long hike from station to station that takes us from the Petit Morin Valley to the Grand Morin Valley via a hill overlooking the Briard Plateau, offering extensive panoramic views. A route with varied landscapes, including woods, cultivated fields and pastures on the hillsides. Charming streams and beautiful heritage buildings complete the picture.

Eighteenth stage of the Grand Tour of Île-de-France via the GR®11, between La Ferté-sous-Jouarre and Coulommiers stations. This stage, running roughly north-south, begins the crossing of Brie, culminating in the ascent of the Butte de Doue, which dominates the plateau. It also connects the two rivers named Morin, the Petit to the north and the Grand to the south.