Villepreux walks

A short walk on either side of the Ru de Gally, with beautiful views of the plain and the Palace of Versailles and a rich heritage in the charming village of Rennemoulin.

A short walk along the streams of the Plaine de Versailles, including the Ru de Gally, which has its source in the castle grounds. The charming village of Rennemoulin boasts a chapel, a wash house and an old bridge, while the Fontaine de Maltoute fountain offers a pleasant, shaded spot to stop for a break. Unacceptable behaviour has been observed; see the warning in the practical information section.

The Forest of Marly covers 2,000 hectares about twenty kilometres west of Paris, between Saint-Germain-en-Laye and Versailles. It stretches 12 km from east to west and connects to the Forest of Saint-Germain-en-Laye via the Plaine de la Jonction. It is a former hunting ground of the kings of France. The hike includes a route through this forest starting from Bailly.

This circular mainly covers the Marly Forest, allowing you to walk theGR®1from Chambourcy to Louveciennes. On the way back, the route crosses the Parc du Domaine Royal de Marly.

Around Saint-Nom-la-Bretèche station - Marly Forest, a walk in a beautiful deciduous forest. It suffered greatly from the great storm of 1999, which flattened the oak trees on the motorway like straw, but this hike has a high density of remarkable trees (oaks, hornbeams, beeches). As the Marly forest is crossed by several busy roads, this hike focuses on the quietest part. It also offers a few viewpoints.

A mainly forest route with several remarkable trees here and there. The site of the Croix Saint-Michel offers a view stretching as far as Paris. A short but fairly challenging hike, given the alternating ascents and descents (the total elevation gain is probably underestimated; allow for around 200m).

The Étang de Saint-Quentin, an artificial lake covering an area of approximately 150 hectares, is located in the municipalities of Trappes and Montigny-le-Bretonneux (Pas-du-lac district), within the new town of Saint-Quentin-en-Yvelines. It is part of a large leisure and outdoor recreation centre covering a total area of 600 hectares. Various leisure activities can be enjoyed there. It serves as a wintering ground for many migratory birds. More than 230 species of birds inhabit the 90 hectares of the reserve.

The route goes around the Joyenval golf course, on which the old abbey is located, and passes in front of the Désert de Retz. The ruins of the Château de Montjoie and a hunting table are also located near the route.

A varied hike, with a beautiful wooded route in the western part of the Forest of Marly and a stroll through the village of Feucherolles. A hike with two loops, lending itself to several variations, such as limiting yourself to the 7.5 km forest loop.

The upstream part of this series of three hikes devoted to the Bièvre river. A very pleasant walk along the river and its bodies of water, in a mostly rural setting. A hike from station to station, which can be used to adjust the length depending on the weather conditions or desires of the hikers.

This is the third stage of the GR® 11 Grand Tour of Île-de-France. It continues through the Yvelines, between Saint-Cyr station and Villiers-Neauphle-Pontchartrain station. This stage completes the 'radial' part of the GR® starting from Paris and joins the circular loop that circles the region from Villiers-Saint-Frédéric. The route passes through increasingly large wooded areas as you approach the countryside.

A relatively short route but with some steep slopes, in a beautiful forest setting.

This circuit consists almost exclusively of paved forest roads, at least in part, and is closed to motor traffic. This allows you to hike in the forest without having to surf on paths full of water and mud in winter.

The park is located in Marly-le-Roi and managed by the Public Establishment of the Palace, Museum and National Estate of Versailles. A sloping park on the south bank of the Seine, its lower part overlooks the centre of Marly. To the east, it is very close to the Louveciennes national forest, from which it is separated by the Route de Versailles. It still features the grand alignments of the Louis XIV era, the layout of the château on the ground, and the drinking trough downstream of the park with its two basins topped by copies of the Chevaux de Marly. The royal gate and the gates of the former château, such as the main gate and the Phare gate, protect access to the estate. The GPX track may prove useful.

Short hike in the Île-de-France region, from Élancourt Village to the Courance de Maurepas pond. The outward journey follows the left bank of the Ru d'Elancourt, the return journey follows the right bank. The first part (from (S) to (3)) can no longer be done. The entire Elancourt hill (la Revanche) is under construction in preparation for the Olympic Games and is therefore closed to hiking. This will remain the case until 2025... See reviews

A short walk through the woods will take you to Saint-Pierre-de-Plaisir Church and Plaisir Castle.

PLEASE NOTE THAT IT WILL NO LONGER BE POSSIBLE TO DO THIS ROUTE FROM SEPTEMBER 2022 DUE TO THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE HILL FOR THE 2024 OLYMPIC GAMES. This route passes by many interesting sites and places: an old church, a lake, viewpoints and, in particular, La Revanche hill, the highest point in the Île-de-France region. It is advisable to do this route on a clear day if possible, so that you can enjoy the view of the entire region to the full.

A half-day walk, mainly in the woods, with a beautiful pond and the vast lawn of the Domaine de Beauregard.

A former royal estate (Louis XIV liked to entertain his friends here, away from the court), the Parc de Marly combines a rich heritage with the pleasure of strolling along woodland paths, wide avenues and vast lawns.

A pleasant hike through the forest and along a golf course in a little-known part of the Marly National Forest.

A pleasant walk through the forest and along the Minière ponds.

A tour of the grounds of the Palace of Versailles, including the Swiss Garden and a visit to the King's Kitchen Garden.

A short walk between forest and fields without leaving Saint-Quentin-en-Yvelines. It will take you to the "Garde Manger", a shop selling local and short route products.

A hike that alternates between forest and fields, with a small pond that is ideal for a pleasant break.

A pleasant route alternating between small villages, forest edges and wide open horizons.

A mainly forest route despite its proximity to Paris! After crossing the Bois de Louveciennes, you can enjoy the Parc de Marly, with its views and ponds. The route ends in the Marly National Forest, with a winding path at first, then a wide, straight path.

Starting from the Saint-Germain-en-Laye RER station, this loop begins on the grounds and terrace of the château, then alternates between wide forest paths and trails that wind through the undergrowth.

Starting from the Bassin de la Courance in Maurepas, you will walk through woods, fields and small hillside villages. This hike is accessible to everyone, young and old alike.

A very short walk to get some fresh air around a pond that is home to many birds. Along the way, you will discover a Gothic-style church, the ruins of the keep of the former Château de Maurepas and a remarkable oak tree.

A walk between ponds, country lanes and forest, passing through the small town of Mesnil-Saint-Denis. This hike is accessible to all. It takes you through a variety of places with lovely views. Please note that there is virtually no shade for two-thirds of the route between the points (1) and (6), so it is best to avoid it in very hot weather.

A short hike to discover the Mérantaise valley, the Croix du Bois, the Mérantais wash house, the village of Magny-les-Hameaux, the Maison des Bonheurs (family of 19th-century painters), the Domaine de Brouëssy, and the stele of Hélène Boucher (early 20th-century aviator).

A short forest hike in two stages. After a lovely view of the former Port-Royal-des-Champs Abbey, you climb up the Vallon du Rodhon on a path and trails that wind through the undergrowth. The hike then follows the wide paths of the Port-Royal Forest.

In search of a little blue butterfly. During a break halfway through, I saw a magnificent blue butterfly, just once, which was quite exceptional. This gave me the idea to write an article and since then, I have always dreamed of seeing it again.

From boatmen to Henry IV, this walk reveals what lies beneath the terraces of the Château de St Germain: paths winding between the pavilions, trees from the Île-de-France region, a walk under the terrace, the banks of the Seine and Corbière Park.

A green loop around the ponds of Moulin à Renard, La Minière, Val d'Or and La Geneste in the Bièvre valley, with an optional detour to admire the Arcades de Buc.

This route allows you to discover both the Minière ponds, upstream of the Bièvre river, and to pass close to the Palace of Versailles by crossing the Parc des Suisses. It is also a route through the Versailles National Forest, allowing you to enjoy a pleasant walk along the Bièvre. It is a route for all seasons, as the landscape changes with the weather.

A hike from station to station that runs mainly along the Seine, mostly on well-marked footpaths.

The commune of Le Vésinet enjoys a unique status in France as it is a "park town". It was designed with rivers and lawns, and houses surrounded by huge gardens. Its proximity to the Seine makes for a varied and very pleasant walk, easily accessible by RER. At the end of the walk, the Île des Ibis offers a reward for young and old alike: a children's playground and numerous water birds to observe.

A mainly forest route, alternating between wide paths and trails winding through the undergrowth. An opportunity to discover a charming pond and explore a well-maintained botanical trail.

A hilly route from village to village, with views of Paris and La Défense.

A very beautiful hike to discover the wonderful rural and natural landscape of the north-west of the Chevreuse Valley, offering a radical change of scenery from the urban and commercial area of Coignières.