Tour of the Noin at Brémur and Vaurois

Car park on the lay-by opposite the bridge over the Seine, at the bottom of Brémur and Vaurois.

(S/E) Head down the RD 101 towards the north-east along the river and continue until just before the new small bridge marking the confluence with the Brévon.

(1) Turn right onto the yellow-marked path, “Sentiers des Châteaux”. This path initially offers a few views of the Brévon before heading into the forest. Walk on virtually level ground until you reach the first junction with the Noin, a tributary of the Brévon and a sub-tributary of the Seine.

(2) Ford the stream, which widens slightly here; make sure you’re wearing waterproof shoes or boots. Continue straight ahead along the path and note the buildings of the Chouette fish farm on your left. Shortly afterwards, begin climbing through the woods on the path branching off to the right. At the first junction, turn sharply right onto the correct path which crosses the woods. Follow it until you reach a junction with a footpath on the right, marked by standing stones.

(3) Follow this path for about 100 metres to descend to the bed of the Noin. Admire the small waterfalls where the stream cascades over the tufa – these are the lower waterfalls. Retrace your steps to the starting point of the main path.

(3) Then follow it to the right. Reach the next junction, signposted ‘Fontaine Saint Martin’. Turn right onto the Sentier des Châteaux, which very quickly rejoins the Noin.

(4) Head down towards the stream to admire some more waterfalls – the upstream ones. Cross the river and turn right onto the signposted path at the next junction. Head back up onto the plateau via a dirt track, which becomes stony a little further up. You’ll reach the junction with the^GR®2.

(5) Follow the red and white markings to the right, towards Brémur and Vaurois. Continue on to the village and admire the hilltop citadel; then, after the crossroads, look out for the wash house on the left, which is still in working order and built into the cliff face.

(6) Return to the crossroads and head down to the left towards Rocheprise Castle and its dovecote. Continue along Rue du Château (D101G), and return to the starting point overlooking the Seine valley (S/E).

No drinking water along the way.
Make sure you have wellington boots or waterproof shoes for crossing the Noin ford (not difficult).
A pleasant walk in summer, as most of the route is shaded.

The picturesque villages of Brémur, Vaurois and Rochefort in the Brévon valley.
The town of Châtillon-sur-Seine.
The Forêts National Park.