On the GRP® Thibaut de Champagne starting from Baye

Here’s a short walk that will allow you to see plenty of sights: the Castles of Baye and Congy, and the little menhir at Villevenard. The route partly follows the route of the old Reims Suburban Railway (CBR).

A very shaded route through magnificent woods. Best avoided in very wet weather.

Details

643712
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Last update:
Last review:
  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 13.52 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 4h 15 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Moderate

  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 148 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 148 m

  • ▲
    Highest point: 232 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 148 m
  • ⚐ Country: France
  • ⚐ City: Baye (Marne) (51270)
  • ⚑
    Start/End: N 48.851906° / E 3.768255°
  • ❏
    IGN map(s): Ref. 2714E, 2714O
  • Hour-by-hour weather

Photos

Description of the walk

The route starts from the car park at the Foyer Rural in Baye. To get there, from the D951, follow signs for Andecy, turning left just before the castle when approaching from the north. It is a new building with a large car park.

(S/E) From the car park, take Rue de Mourlin towards Andecy.

(1) At the small bridge, continue straight on along the narrow road that follows the stream.

(2) When you reach a farm, turn right onto the path that leads into the woods (if you want to take a look at Andecy Abbey, walk a hundred metres further along the road and then retrace your steps). Once in the woods, at the fork, take the path on the left. Follow the old CBR for a few hundred metres; you can see the drainage works running alongside the path. At the next two junctions, continue straight ahead.

(3) Once you reach the edge of the woods, turn left towards the Ferme de la Cense Rouge. When you reach the D343, turn right and follow this small road until you can see the first houses of Congy.

(4) Where the wall marking the boundary of Congy Castle’s grounds begins, take the path on the right that leads into the woods (those wishing to see the castle should continue straight on for 200m, then retrace their steps).
This path follows theGRP®, but it is not always clearly signposted. After 400m, turn right, staying on the main path. At the hunting lodge, continue straight ahead.

(5) As you come out of the woods, turn left, then follow the small road to the right. Pass in front of the Ferme du Buisson and follow the small road to the first houses in Villevenard. Pass a small menhir by the roadside on the left-hand side.

(6) Take the first tarmac road on the right (Rue Chauffours). It runs alongside the vineyards.

(7) Where the path turns sharply left, turn right onto the track leading into the woods. Follow it to a clearing.

(8) Turn left at the sign indicating a change of direction. Follow this path through the woods to the crossroads.

(9) Turn right and rejoin the CBR route (path on a raised embankment). After the small bridge, turn left. The car park is now in sight (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 177 m - Foyer Rural car park
  2. 1 : km 0.43 - alt. 168 m - Small bridge
  3. 2 : km 1.18 - alt. 184 m - Path on the right
  4. 3 : km 2.64 - alt. 217 m - Turn left towards the Ferme de la Cense Rouge
  5. 4 : km 4.84 - alt. 208 m - Entrance to Congy - Château de Congy
  6. 5 : km 6.51 - alt. 221 m - Exit from the woods
  7. 6 : km 9.6 - alt. 148 m - Turn right onto Rue Chauffours
  8. 7 : km 10.5 - alt. 206 m - Entrance to the woods
  9. 8 : km 11.17 - alt. 215 m - Turn left into the clearing
  10. 9 : km 12.54 - alt. 150 m - Turn right onto the CBR route
  11. S/E : km 13.52 - alt. 177 m - Foyer Rural car park

Notes

Good restaurant in Villevenard.

Shops in Baye (groceries, café, petrol).

Take a map or use a smartphone app, as theGRP® is signposted sporadically. Very few hikers on this route, which is part of its charm.

Avoid at all costs during the hunting season.

Worth a visit

Make the most of your visit to explore Baye and Congy, which have lovely castles. Beautiful old market hall in Congy.

Many winegrowers in the three villages (Champagne producers)

The route passes close to Congy Castle and Andecy Abbey. A short detour is all it takes to see them.

Reviews and comments

4.3 / 5
Based on 6 reviews

Reliability of the description
4.2 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.3 / 5
Route interest
4.3 / 5
virgule
virgule

This year, two vign'art sculptures can be seen on this route or nearby: in Villevenard and Baye. I'll post the photos.

https://www.vignart.fr/

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virgule
virgule

Thank you for your review

Was there slush?

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MARTDomi
MARTDomi

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 18, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

A lovely loop with varied landscapes

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virgule
virgule
• Edited:

That’s what makes our region so charming

There are places without slush, but they’re far less peaceful.

Every cloud has a silver lining....

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Isanours
Isanours

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : May 06, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

A lovely walk, but best done in dry weather; some paths are impassable as they’re slippery and full of puddles.

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virgule
virgule

Hello,

Thank you for your review. La Ferme du Buisson is right by the path. What would you suggest adding to make the route easier?

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Debant Dominique
Debant Dominique

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : May 30, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

We need a few more details to find Mon Buisson Farm.
We had to turn back; we went the wrong way.
Otherwise, it’s a pleasant walk when the weather’s fine, but best avoided in wet weather.
Hikers from Champagne

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virgule
virgule

The little menhir has gone missing. It’s been a bad year for the menhirs in the area....

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virgule
virgule

No mosquitoes today. But it’s best to bring some insect repellent.

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virgule
virgule

I was there today, looking for a way to avoid the stretch of road. In fact, from the Croix Jeanne onwards, the paths haven’t been mowed. So I’m not suggesting an alternative route.

The little menhir has been knocked over – what a shame.

The paths are nice and dry, and very pleasant. Don’t go there bare-legged; there are grassy sections, and occasionally some brambles. I’ll cut them back when I get the chance.

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virgule
virgule
• Edited:

Thank you for your feedback.

Manapani51, I’ve taken his feedback on the Reclus hike on board and have amended the route; we no longer go along the road.

https://www.visorando.com/randonnee-rando...

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manapani51
manapani51

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Apr 27, 2018
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good

The road section isn't very pleasant because the few cars on the road drive very fast.

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virgule
virgule

When I go there, I do the Reclus in the morning, then have a picnic, and tackle the Menhir de Congy in the afternoon, cutting the route short a bit.

It’s perfectly doable, as the two are close by.

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pb77
pb77

Yes, that’s true, the Marne is a lovely area for hiking (though not the only one – we’re lucky to have so many in France). The Reclus dolmen seems like a good idea for a hike (15 to 18 km)
Have a nice day
pb77

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virgule
virgule
• Edited:

Thank you for your review.

It’s a lovely spot; there are two places you might like: the Congy menhir and the Reclus dolmen.

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