The Dolmen of Bois Couturier

The French Vexin region has numerous megalithic sites dating from the late third millennium B.C. This walk gives you the chance to visit a dolmen in a perfect state of preservation. As you stroll through the fields and woods, you will also be able to see some lovely churches and castles.

Technical sheet

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  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 9.18 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 2h 50 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Moderate

  • ⚐
    Return to departure point: Yes
  • ↗
    Vertical gain: + 66 m
  • ↘
    Vertical drop: - 66 m

  • ▲
    Highest point: 144 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 94 m

Photos

Description of the walk

Access:

- Via the A15 to Cergy-Pontoise, then along the N14, and finally the D14, exit 17.
- Via the A13, exit Les Mureaux-Meulan, then the D913, and finally the D43 to Avernes.

Departure point:

In Wy-dit-Joli-Village, at the crossroads between Rue Saint-Romain and Rue de la Confrérie, leading to the cemetery. You can park in a small car park next to the bus shelter or in the car park in Rue de la Jaugère.

Yellow Waymarks

(S/E) With your back to Rue de la Confrérie, walk east-southeast down Rue Saint-Romain. Then, with the church on your left, turn right up Rue de la Mairie. Walk past the town hall and then ignore Rue du Puits de la Ville on your left (incorrectly named "Rue au Coq" on the IGN map). At the next junction, follow the road round to the left. At the junction with Rue du Coq, which joins you again from the left (named "Rue du Puits de la Ville" on the IGN map), turn right down a path with a low wall covered in vegetation on the right-hand side.

(1) At the crossing, turn left (southeast) along a wide path between the fields. Ignore a path on the left and keep going past a hedge on your left-hand side. About 800m after the crossing, you will enter some woods. Continue along the forest border, still heading southeast. When you come out of the woods again, continue down the path with a low wall on your right-hand side.

(2) At the T-junction, turn left toward a cross. Keep the cross on your right-hand side (memorial plaque) and continue down a small road towards Gadancourt, whose bell tower is clearly visible. At the crossroads, you can see an old watering hole on your left. Continue straight on down Rue des Bruyères until you reach the Place de l’Eglise (church square).

(3) Keeping the church on your right, and then the castle, continue down the road towards Guiry-en-Vexin (signposted). Ignore a path downhill to the right and then a road to the right. Keep going along Route de Guiry, with some woods on your left and some fields bordered by hedges on your right. After a short descent you will come out onto the D159, which you then follow round to the right into Guiry.

No Waymarks

(4) When you come level with Impasse du Moulin, ignore the yellow waymarks to the left and keep going straight on. You will go past a castle (on the right) and the Archaeological Museum of Val d'Oise (on the left), and then you will reach the Church of Saint-Nicolas.

(5) Retrace your steps.

Yellow Waymarks

(4) When you come back level with Impasse du Moulin, turn right. Then at the fork just afterwards, bear left. Ignore two perpendicular streets off to the left and then the right. Go through a forest gate and walk past a barn on your left. Continue due west between two horse pastures (you will be able to see an old watering hole on your left). Then follow the path round to the right and continue up towards some woods. Go through a forest gate. Just after the gate, turn right and walk through a meadow with some very young trees on your left and a hedge on your right. At the end, enter the woods and head downhill.

(6) At the bottom of the slope, turn left, and cross a meadow with fruit trees. At the end of the meadow, ignore an information sign ahead of you (Yellow Crosses) and head right towards another information sign. Enter the woods again in the direction of the dolmen (signposted – Allée Couverte). Ignore the path that joins you immediately from the left and head north along a wide path. At the crossroads, bear right along a shady uphill path (unlike what is indicated by the purple line on the IGN map, the PR footpath (Petite Randonnée – Short Hike) does not bear left but actually follows this route as well). After a few wooden steps you will come out onto a perpendicular path.

No waymarks

(7) Ignore the yellow arrow indicating to turn left and instead turn right towards the dolmen (signposted - Allée Couverte). After a short descent and then a short climb back up again, you will come out at the top of a grassy area. The dolmen is on the left (information board).

(8) Retrace your steps.

Yellow Waymarks

(7) At the junction, with the wooden steps on your left, continue straight on (west) with a grassy area on your right-hand side. Ignore a path from the left and then make a left and immediate right to enter the woods and stay along the edge of the woodland border. Ignore a path down to the left and keep going until you reach a forest gate. Just before the gate, take a path to the left (not indicated on the map), which turns almost immediately to the right and then at the crossing, continue straight on (west).
N.B. The purple line on the IGN map continues along the edge of the field after the forest gate and turns left a little further on to reach the crossing mentioned above. Both routes are possible here.

The path winds through the woods and then at a fork, it bears left. Follow it downhill, and at the first crossing, continue straight on. At the second crossing, cross a wide track, and continue opposite you up a steep slope.

No Waymarks

(9) At the top of the slope, leave the PR footpath, which heads off to the right, and instead turn left. Keep following the path along the edge of the woodland, with a field slightly above you to your right-hand side. At the fork, turn right and keep going, still with the field on your right-hand side. You will come out into a meadow. Keep going straight on along the edge of the meadow, with a hedge on your right-hand side (along a clearly visible grass path that is not indicated on the map). At the end of the path, go through a metal gate (passage under high cables on the left-hand side). Then continue down a small road with a grey house on your left-hand side, and then a track off to your left, which you ignore. Continue slightly downhill along the road, to the southwest.

Yellow Waymarks

(10) At the crossroads, take the first road to the left, with the weather station on your right-hand side. Walk past the cemetery on your left and keep going until you get back to the starting point (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 120 m - Wy-dit-Joli-Village - Rue Saint-Romain
  2. 1 : km 0.63 - alt. 126 m - Crossroads on the outskirts of Wy
  3. 2 : km 2.01 - alt. 111 m - T-crossing
  4. 3 : km 2.65 - alt. 129 m - Église Saint-Martin (Gadancourt)
  5. 4 : km 4.32 - alt. 94 m - Guiry-en-Vexin - Impasse du Moulin
  6. 5 : km 4.48 - alt. 96 m - Église Saint-Nicolas (Guiry-en-Vexin)
  7. 6 : km 5.66 - alt. 108 m - T-junction in undergrowth
  8. 7 : km 6.45 - alt. 128 m - T-junction - Wooden staircase
  9. 8 : km 6.6 - alt. 133 m - Allée Couverte du Bois Couturier
  10. 9 : km 7.67 - alt. 131 m - T-junction at the top of a hill
  11. 10 : km 8.6 - alt. 127 m - Road crossing
  12. S/E : km 9.18 - alt. 120 m - Wy-dit-Joli-Village - Rue Saint-Romain

Practical information

You will need walking boots. The route takes you along paths between fields and through woods, which can be muddy in wet weather, as well as along small quiet roads.

No water source was identified along the route. There is a waffle bar in Guiry-en-Vexin, shortly before (4). You can shelter in Wy-dit-Joli-Village (S/E), Gadancourt (3), and Guiry-en-Vexin between (4) (5).

There are several picnic tables between (5) and (7). The grassy area below the dolmen (8) is a good place for taking a break or having a picnic.

Variant
You could go on a short, pleasant walk with children to visit the dolmen from Guiry-en-Vexin (park in front of the church or in the museum car park). Follow the route from points (5) to (8) and then return the way you came: the return journey is about 4.5km. You can end the walk by visiting the Val-d'Oise Archaeological Museum.

A 1:25,000 map would be useful (at least the one that accompanies this description).

In the nearby area

(S/E) Wy-dit-Joli-Village:
- Saint-Romain church (11th to 17th century)
- Tool Museum

(3) Gadancourt :
- Old watering hole
- Saint-Martin’s church (12th to 15th century).
- Priory (13th century) adjoining the church.

(5) Guiry-en-Vexin :
- Saint-Nicolas’ church (16th century).
- Castle (17th century).
- Val-d'Oise Departmental Archaeological Museum. Information, exhibitions, timetables: Museum page on the PNR website for the French Vexin region.

(8) Dolmen of Bois Couturier (between 2,500 et 2,000 B.C.).

 Always stay careful and alert while following a route. Visorando and the author of this walk cannot be held responsible in the event of an accident during this route.

The GR® and PR® markings are the intellectual property of the Fédération Française de Randonnée Pédestre.

Reviews and comments

4.8 / 5
Based on 58 reviews

Reliability of the description
4.9 / 5
Clarity of route map
4.8 / 5
Route interest
4.6 / 5
kelylamil
kelylamil

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of walk : Apr 29, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : No

This is a very fine walk, varied between countryside, forest, castles and villages, where you can linger along the paths and discover the magnificent dwellings and low stone walls, particularly at Wy dit Joli Village, which lives up to its name.
The covered walkway makes this tour even more interesting.
Please note: a very detailed and precise description.
Many thanks to the author for this trail.

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etienne92.d
etienne92.d

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of walk : Nov 02, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : No

A very pleasant, varied and not too long walk in the Vexin on a beautiful autumn day.
A few gunshots in the distance, so hunters were nearby, but fortunately we didn't come across any.

It took us 1.5 hours to get to the picnic area before point 6.

Thank you for a lovely walk

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Andrée MOULU
Andrée MOULU

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of walk : Sep 15, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : No

Our hikers were very satisfied. There were no encounters along the way

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ealet
ealet

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of walk : Sep 02, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Busy trail : No

belle randonnée avec la traversée de villages dans le vexin , dommage qu'il y a cette portion de route entre le point 3et4
thanks to the author for sharing

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msch
msch

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of walk : Jul 08, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : No

A great way to enjoy a picnic halfway through the journey!

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Francois.Laurent
Francois.Laurent
• Last modified:

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of walk : May 17, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : Yes

A pleasant and interesting walk: the covered walkway, the horses, the Vexin villages and the variety of landscapes. The only downside was that the road section was a bit long, but there was very little traffic. Overall, highly recommendable!

In spring, wild orchids can be found in the vicinity of the covered walkway. Keep an eye out for them, but be careful not to trample them. These species are rare and threatened.

After your walk, you can stop off at the Musée Archéologique in Guiry-en-Vexin, a 3-minute drive from (S/E) (1.5km), with free admission and easy parking. The original stone closing the covered walkway has been preserved. Even a quick visit adds an interesting perspective to what you've seen on the ground.

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cattherine
cattherine

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of walk : May 15, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Busy trail : No

It's a shame there's a bit too much road. Otherwise good

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nine78200
nine78200

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of walk : Mar 11, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : Yes

A pleasant, varied circuit with beautiful landscapes, sometimes as far as the eye can see, surrounded by our friends the horses.
It was a sunny Sunday. I set off from Guiry en Vexin on rue Saint Nicolas to finish with a gourmet break at "Sophie's waffle". The 3 villages are charming with their exposed stonework.
Thank you Netra for this route, which is always so well described.

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Hallu
Hallu

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of walk : Nov 26, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★☆☆ Average
Busy trail : No

It was a good idea between 9 and 10 to avoid the yellow signposted path (not a GR) which takes up a long section of road, with cars travelling at 90... Overall, this route is interesting for the small villages and the covered walkway. Unfortunately, I did it during the hunting season, and it was a real mess. Gunshots in all directions, and the sounds of a hunt quite close. Not very reassuring. The section between 1 and 2 is very ugly, and unfortunately it's like the large fields of the Vexin, with no hedges, no nature, and soil that's in a very poor state due to decades of ploughing and fertiliser (pebbles coming to the surface, dock infestation in one place). Fortunately, the rest of the walk is wooded, which is nice in autumn.

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waiwaite
waiwaite

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of walk : Jul 02, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : Yes

Superb hike in the Vexin region, so good for walking.
Good alternation between open country and woodland, lovely scenery. Relief just varied enough.
The road sections aren't particularly exciting, but we had very little traffic.
The picnic area, shaded by beautiful fruit trees, before the covered walkway, is a real treat. We made the most of it, and we weren't the only ones.

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Geono60
Geono60

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of walk : Jan 17, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : No

Well done for the "clockwork" precision of the route description. It really is impossible to get lost. The route is varied and very interesting. The landscapes of the Vexin Français are as beautiful as ever. Thank you for this walk.

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MAGALIMAGALI
MAGALIMAGALI

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of walk : Sep 24, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : No

A very pleasant and varied walk, accessible to all.
Many thanks for the description, which is simply perfect.
For your information, in "walk" mode and leaving at 10:30, we arrived at 12:30 at the (very nice and well laid out) picnic area.
Thanks again.

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pierromarche
pierromarche

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of walk : Jun 12, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : No

Lovely walk with a waffle stop halfway along the route

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tabs
tabs

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of walk : Jan 10, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : No

very pleasant in the cold sunshine...

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charles552
charles552

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of walk : Jul 19, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : No

lovely walk and superb covered walkway

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