Wednesday 4 January at Vincennes

Dear IdF hikers,

 

Happy New Year! Here's to good health to all of you and lots of wonderful hikes in 2012. 

We will start off the year on Wednesday 4 January with a hike in the Bois de Vincennes with Jean Chameroy, doing "Les quatre lacs du bois" with no hills,14kms and possibility to leave before the end in Vincennes or St. Mandé.

 

Rendez vous at ten o'clock near the golden statue Porte Dorée, Line number 8.

 

Bonne Annee a tous. Jean

Wednesday 21 December, the Marne at Lagny

The aqueduc de la Dhuys

We will finish our year of hikes 'in beauty" with Jean-Louis Narjoux along the Marne. He proposes an 18 km hike, starting and ending at the Gare de L'Est. He says that there will be the possibility of doing only 14 km. Here is his information:

For next Wednesday we'll take a walk of some 18km, four or five hour's walking. There'll be a stiff climb at the beginning, followed by terrain that's either flat or downhill. We'll see the Aqueduc de la Dhuys then return along the banks of the Marne. There's a strong possibility of mud.

Pour mercredi prochain je propose une rando de 18 km env. (4ou5 h de marche) avec une forte montée au départ ensuite plat ou descente.

Programme:  l'Aqueduc de la Dhuys, retour par les bords de la Marne. Le terrain peut être boueux.

We meet at the gare de l'Est in good time to take the 10.01 train 'MICI' going to Meaux. We get off the train at Lagny Thorigny (zone 5) at 10.24. We will return from the same station, with trains every half hour.

R.V. gare de l'EST départ du train "MICI" (direction Meaux) à 10h01; descendre à Lagny-Thorigny (10h24). Retour par la même gare! Pour le retour il y a des trains toutes les demi heures. 

If 18km seems a bit much, you can shorten the walk to 14km by leaving the group and the Marne and following the well-marked GR trail that leads to the station.

Pour ceux qui trouveraient la marche trop longue, on peut ne faire que 14 km. (en quittant le groupe et en suivant seuls un GR bien balisé jusqu'à la gare) en abandonnant les bords de Marne.

See you Wednesday!

A mercredi !

Jean-Louis

Henry Lebasque, Fog on the Marne at Lagny

Wednesday 14 December: Boulogne-Ville d'Avray-Versailles

Corot, Etangs de Ville d'Avray 1860

This week we will have just one walk, but with the possibility of leaving early.

This coming Wednesday, December 14, Daniel will lead a walk from Boulogne to Versailles.

Distance: 15/16 kilometers with three hills.

The walk will start by crossing part of the Parc de Saint-Cloud and then on to Versailles via the attractive village of Ville-d'Avray where we will have our lunch facing the Etangs de Ville-d'Avray.

We shall meet at 10:00 am by the metro station Boulogne Pont de Saint Cloud on métro line 10.

Get there. From the platform, take the exit Musée Albert-Kahn (to the right), next to a bus stop. There are road works being done near this bus stop, so you may have to walk toward the Pont de St. Cloud to find the temporary bus stop.

SHORTER WALK

Full distance: 6.5 kilometers, with one hill you can bypass. For a shorter walk, you have your lunch at the Etangs" with the group, then return to Paris from the station Sèvres Ville d'Avray (zone 3).

The distance from the Etangs to the station is 1.5 km. You will walk to this station in town without a guide, but it's easy to find.

LONGER WALK

From Versailles (zone 4) we'll return to Paris by RER C or train (Gare Montparnasse or Gare St. Lazare).

You will need a picnic lunch and water, and sturdy waterproof shoes as the forest can be muddy in December.

If you wish to be informed of any changes or cancellations, please
r.s.v.p. to daniel.perot@free.fr with your cell number if you have one and
your home phone if not.

Daniel
09 50 56 65 26
01 45 90 65 26
Mobile (only the day of the walk)  06 99 20 70 79.

Wednesday 7 December at Beynes or Saint Germain

Dear Hikers,

This Wednesday, December 7, we will have two walks. The longer one will be led by Judy and Cecilia, the shorter one by Prudence.

By popular demand, Judy and Cecilia will lead again a 15-16 km walk,  (hilly in places), in the Forêt Domaniale de Beynes and the surrounding countryside. Here is their information:

We will walk along the banks of the river Mauldre and through pretty little villages: Saulx-Marchais and Cressay (with its historic "lavoir"). You will need stout walking shoes, a picnic lunch and water. Depending on the weather forecast, don't forget rain gear

We will take the 9.43 train from Montparnasse, Direction Mantes la Jolie, arriving at Beynes (zone 5) at 10.32. Some of you may find it convenient to join us at Versailles Chantiers at 10.08 or one of the other stations along the way (Saint-Cyr, Plaisir, etc).

Return trains are every hour: 16.04 (probably too early), 17.04 (more likely -- arriving 17.49).

Since Zone 5 has merged with Zone 6, the Mobilis 5 zones now costs only 14 euros, the same as the return train fare to Beynes.

Mobile phone numbers: Judy 06 84 30 91 47; Cecilia 06 45 68 88 05.


Wednesday Dec 7 walk - the shorter one!

We'll meet at 10.05 at the RER A gare St Germain en Laye. That train goes through Châtelet Les Halles at 9.30 and La Defense at 9.37. 

The whole walk will take no more than 2 hours and will cover about 8 km or less, and no hills! We'll go along the esplanade and some of the "sentier des oratoires". I don't know of a specific cafe near the gare where we could have a light lunch, but there must be plenty. Any ideas?

A bientot,

Prudence
01 46 26 03 06
06 63 44 60 09 (day of the walk)

See you on Wednesday. Let's hope that our usual good luck with the weather holds.

Wednesday 30 November, "la Campagne à Paris"

St Germain de Charonne

This Wednesday, Marcel Kohl will lead us on a city walk to discover the charms and the history of the 20th arrondissement. Here is his information.

On Wednesday, we'll walk in Paris in the 20th arrondissement.

After meeting at the metro station Gambetta (line 3) at 10:00 in front of the Mairie of the 20th, we'll go to St Germain de Charonne, the adorable village church (which started in the 12th century) and its parish cemetery, a sad place for André Malraux. Then down the picturesque rue Saint-Blaise, and near the Porte de Bagnolet, 'la Campagne à Paris'. Then place Edith Piaf, with a statue of the singer.

It will then be lunch time. Depending on the weather, your money and your wishes, we will either eat in a restaurant or have picnic in a park (or split up for lunch).

In the afternoon, we'll visit "le plus grand espace vert de Paris", le cimetière du Père Lachaise. We'll visit only a few graves, from Proust (le petit Marcel) to Jim Morrison, sans oublier Victor Noir, bien entendu, et Felix de Beaujour.

At the end of the walk it will be cold and we'll finish at metro Père Lachaise.

Warm clothes might be useful.

Amicalement,

Marcel

La Campagne à Paris

Wednesday 23 November at St Cloud

Hello again, Idfwalkers,

 

This week we are proposing a second, shorter walk for those of you who would like fewer kilometers and maybe a slower pace. Several of us have been discussing the feasibility of offering two alternatives, so this is our "test run".  Prudence, who will be having hip surgery in December, has propsed the following alternative to the walk in the Meudon forest.

Viewing Paris from the terrace at Saint Cloud

Hello fellow walkers

 

I have not been able to join the group recently because my decrepit hip will only cooperate for a few kilometers. I miss the walks so let's experiment and have 2 walks this week. The usual one between 12 and 16km and a shorty, 6 to 8 km, in the morning.

 

I suggest a walk through the Parc de St Cloud starting at Garches and ending at the Metro Pont de Sevres line 9. 

 

We will meet at the SNCF gare Garches - Marnes La Coquette at 9.53. The train leaves Gare St Lazare at 9.33 direction St Nom La Breteche - Forêt de Marly or La Defense at 9.42. 

 

The walk will be easy, about 8km, and we should be at the Pont de Sevres around noon. Lunch could be a snack in the parc or in a cafe near the pont.

 

Looking forward to seeing you,

 

Prudence: prukupka@aol.com

01 64 26 03 06

06 63 44 60 09

Wednesday 23 November at Meudon

November in the forest of Meudon

Hello hikers,

Here is information about the November 23 walk to be led by Mary Lynne:

Next Wednesday we will hike in the beautiful Meudon Forest  which, in addition to its beauty, has the added advantage of being less than five km from Paris. Former royal hunting grounds, this forest has been a very popular promenade destination since the 19th century. It has been maintained by the Office National des Fôrets (ONF) since 1965. If we are lucky, there will still be some leaves on the trees to delight the eye.

Distance: about between 12 and 14 km, depending on our return station, with some ups and downs. This forest is definitely not flat!

Pace: moderate, about 4 km/hour. 

Getting there: We will begin our hike in Meudon at the Val Fleury RER station. Take the RER C SARA direction St. Quentin en Yvelines, which leaves Gare d'Austerlitz (9.21), St Michel (9.24), Invalides (9.31) or Javel (9.38). It will arrive at Meudon Val Fleury at 9.48, zone 3, where I will await the group. 

At this writing I have not decided on our return station. It will be from either the Arrêt de Petit Jouy zone 4 or the Gare de Viroflay Rive Gauche zone 3 which has both SNCF and RER C trains going to Paris.  I'm going to scout this walk on Monday and will post the return train station on Monday evening in case you want to purchase your return ticket or Mobilis ticket ahead of time.

You will need a picnic lunch and sturdy, waterproof shoes as forests can be muddy in November. 

See you on Wednesday!
Mary Lynne 

01 47 41 98 20

06 70 88 18 59

mlfich@yahoo.com

Wednesday 16 November with la Dame Blanche

The château de la Dame Blanche

Daniel Perot will lead us in the Foret de Chantilly. This is one of our favorite walks that many of you have probably already done with us. Each time is different, however, and this time with a little luck there will still be leaves on the trees to admire. Our itinerary will include the étangs de Commelles, the château de la Dame Blanche et the château de Chantilly.
 

To go: We'll take the RER D "LUCA" that leaves Chatelet-les-Halles at 9:30 or Gare-du-Nord at 9:34 and arrives at Orry-la-Ville/Coye-la-Forêt (a big name for a station in the middle of the woods!) at 10:14.We meet at the head of the train.

Take a SINGLE ticket to Orry la Ville Coye. Mobilis tickets are not available on this line outside the Ile de France.

Return: From a different station: Chantilly Gouvieux, probably at 16:11 arriving in Paris at 17:03. 
 
The 14 km walk will go around some ponds (étangs de Commelles) with the château de la Reine-Blanche, through the forest right up to the château de Chantilly. To learn about the mysterious Reine Blanche you might have a look at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=efgE6HuZU10 
 
Wear appropriate clothes, strong shoes, bring a picnic lunch and water.


If you wish to be informed of any changes or cancellations, please
r.s.v.p. to daniel.perot@free.fr with your cell number if you have one and
your home phone if not.



Daniel
09 50 56 65 26
01 45 90 65 26
Mobile (only the day of the walk)  06 99 20 70 79.

The château de Chantilly

 

Wednesday 9 November with Robinson and Chateaubriand

In the Vallée des Loups

This will be a romantic walk of about 12 km through the parks of Plessis-Robinson, once famous for its guingettes (cabanes dans les arbres – the name of the town originates from them) and Châtenay-Malabry, in the footsteps of Chateaubriand and his mistress Madame Récamier. On the outs with Napoleon, the famous French romantic writer and politician had been exiled here, "far from Paris", for 10 years.

We'll climb first to the Parc Henri Sellier (maximum height 172m) - there you have a great view to the south of Paris. Then we'll descend to the Vallée aux Loups. There are no more wolves there but foxes can be seen in the sunset. There we'll have our picnic.

After that we'll stroll to the Parc de la Maison Chateaubriand where the writer himself planted some of the exotic trees in the beginning of the 19th century. Finally, the high point of our walk will be the Arboretum, once property of the Croux family, the famous nursery gardeners, where in the 19th century setting (folies et fabriques), you can admire some extraordinary trees and plants.

Bring appropriate clothes and shoes, a picnic lunch and a camera.

Depart from Chatelet-Les Halles at 9:20 – RER B direction Robinson, arrival at 9:46. The same train from Denfert-Rochereau at 9:28 - Be there earlier.

Return from Robinson to Paris every 15 minutes. Zone 3.

At the gare de Robinson walk to the head of the train then to the right and take the exit Avenue Jules Guesde, where I'll be waiting for you on the top of the stairs.

My mobile : 06 33 23 07 31

Looking forward to seeing you,

Dominique

In the Vallée des Loups

Wednesday 2 November along the Yerres

 

On Wednesday 2 November, Bob Levy will lead a 16 km walk from Boussy Saint Antoine (zone 4, RER D) along the River Yerres and onward - hopefully through Fall foliage (photos taken this week) - to Boissy Saint Léger (zone 4, RER A).  

It is a hike noteworthy (1) for the fact that the first half of the walk was done in July 2011 and many might have missed it, (2) for those desiring a shorter day, a 7-8 km option is available, and (3) for those who do the complete walk, they will be rewarded by a kilometer's stroll along a real 'live' moat – une douve – surrounding the (unseen) Château la Grange.

For those doing the entire walk, please note that currently some two kilometers of the route have a mud coating (not deep), so water resistant shoes are a must.

DIRECTIONS:  

Depart: Gare de Lyon RER D, direction Melun, rear of the platform.  Be there at 8:55 for the train at 9:08.  Don't forget the clocks have changed and so 9:00 will not feel so early.

Return: 

For those desiring the shorter day, return from Gare de Yerres, RER D. Trains to Paris every 15 minutes. The gare is a ten minute walk from the trail. Maps will be provided.

For those doing the entire walk, return from BOISSY, RER 'A', trains to Paris every 8 minutes.  Please purchase your Boissy–Paris tickets in the morning at your home station, as the gare at Boissy is very crowded and has only two machines.

Bring appropriate clothes, strong shoes and a picnic lunch, including apples with cores for Mlle Trixie.

Contact;

Bob Levy: LEVYBOB@SBCGLOBAL.NET or 

                RAL415@GMAIL.COM

                09 79 67 70 88

                On the day of the walk: 06 43 45 58 33

 

 

Wednesday 26 October in the Quatre Piliers

Next Wednesday 26 October, Daniel Robinot will lead us on a hike in the Forêt de Quatre Piliers in the Yvelines. Daniel is a long-time friend of our esteemed leader, Claude Faure. Many of you know Daniel already from previous walks. I'm sure that you will enjoy the hike he has planned for us.

Here is Daniel's information:

The train leaves from Paris Montparnasse at 8.40, direction Dreux. It arrives at the station Orgerus Béhoust at 9.24. The walk is from the station Orgerus.

Distance is 20 km, easy walking, only 183m change in altitude for the day.

The train back to Paris Montparnasse is at 3.13pm or 4.17pm.
I think the 3.13 train is possible. I estimated our speed at 4 kph but I believe the group can walk a little faster than that.

My mobile: 06 10 85 47 67.

For your information, there will be no possibility for a "pit stop" during the first hour of the hike, so please plan your morning coffee consumption with that in mind!!

You will need a picnic lunch and the usual rain gear just in case.

Wednesday 19 October on the Marne at Lagny

The Marne at Lagny

 

This Wednesday Jean-Louis Narjoux will lead us on a lovely walk along the Marne. Here is his information.

For 19 October I suggest a 17km walk along the aqueduct of the Dhuis and along the Marne, starting and ending at the SNCF station Lagny-Thorigny east of Paris. Estimated duration is about 5 hours including lunch.

The train MICI towards Meaux leaves from Paris Gare de l'Est at 9.01 and arrives at Lagny-Torigny (zone 5) at 9.53. We'll meet on the platform at about 8.50.

Return trains are on the hour and half hour all afternoon.
 

It will be possible to avoid the last 4km and return directly to the station along the riverside path which the rest of us will take an hour or so later.

Wednesday 12 October: Two Rivers, Twin Village

Janville sur Juine, the château at Gillevoisin

On Wednesday, October 12, Bob Levy will lead us on the 15 km route from the River Essonne to the River Juine. We will begin at Ferte-Alais on the RER 'D' walking west through that village and continuing west through what should be Autumn forest colors. By morning's end we arrive at the River Juine and the truly charming towns on either side: Janville and Lardy. We will lunch in a willow-filled park along the Juine then wind our way through the two villages.

Following lunch those who wish a short day can take the RER 'C' from Lardy returning to Paris. The route will take all of us up to the gare.

Following the station there is a hill. It is not especially steep, nor is it especially long.  It is wide and graded, and in parts nearly paved. Still, for those who wish to avoid it, there is the train at Lardy. The rest of us will re-enter the Fall foliage and continue onward, finally descending to the village of Bouray and the RER C. Trains to Paris from Lardy and Bouray run every 20 - 30 minutes.

LOGISTICS: MEETING PLACE and TIMES

I strongly recommend purchasing a MOBILIS for this day.  Without it, the cost can be as much as 18€.

We will meet at the GARE DE LYON, RER 'D', DIRECTION MALESHERBES: be there at 9:30 AM for the train at 9:41.  We will board the last car going out.

Please keep in mind that certain 'D' trains begin their route at Gare de Lyon, so you may not necessarily be able to board this train at an earlier station.  Instead, go to Gare de Lyon by any way you can (RER D, RER A, metro line 1 or 14) and check the departure signs for 'MALESHERBES'. 

There is only one train each hour.

Picnic lunch, good shoes, high spirits, and a readiness to laugh.

Contact Bob Levy at: 

LEVYBOB@SBCGLOBAL.NET

01 79 67 70 88

And on the day of the walk: 06 43 45 58 33

On the Juine at Janville

Wednesday 5 October from Champs to Noisiel and back

The Moulin Saulnier at Noisiel

Next Wednesday's hike will be led by Daniel Perot. Here is his
information. Happy hiking!

The walk on Wednesday continues the one that took us to Champs-sur-Marne on Sept. 14. This time we'll press on to Noisiel.

Noisiel is known as the home of the Menier chocolate factory. In the second half of the 19th century Menier had become the biggest producer of chocolate in the world. In 1872 the architect Jules Saulnier was commissioned to design a radically ultra-modern factory, while housing, schools and a retirement home were built for the workers.

Now the factory is the French headquarter of Nestlé. Our walk there will include some detours to neighboring parks and ponds and a visit to the ahead of its time ferme du Buisson, now used as a theater. Also a visit of the new town that has emerged since 1975. Here a wide array of contemporary architecture is on show, created by architects such as Jean Nouvel or Christian de Portzamparc.

La randonnée du mercredi 5 août sera le prolongement de celle qui nous a conduit à Champs-sur-Marne la semaine dernière. Ainsi, nous continuerons notre escapade de Champs-sur-Marne à Noisiel.

Le nom de cette localité est attaché à l'ancienne chocolaterie Menier, dont vous visiterez les lieux chargés d'une fabuleuse histoire industrielle.
Notre rando autour de ce site, maintenant bien connu des marcheurs, sera marquée par quelques variantes parmi les parcs et plans d'eau, ainsi qu'un passage à la ferme du Buisson, ferme modèle en son temps, maintenant reconvertie en salle de spectacle.
 

TRANSPORT
RER A (the Marne la Vallée branch) to Noisy Champs (zone 4).
The train OKEY passes through Paris at
- Charles-de-Gaulle Etoile      9:38
- Châtelet Les Halles            9:43
- Gare de Lyon                     9:46
Arriving at Noisy-Champs at 10:06.

When you leave the train, turn to the right along the quay, in the same direction as the train, go up the steps and take the left-hand exit. We meet outside the station.

En sortant du wagon, se diriger dans le sens du train, prendre les escaliers, c'est la sortie à gauche.

RETURN (2 options)
From the station NOISIEL (zone 5) for a 12-kilometer walk.
From the station NOISY-CHAMPS (zone 4) for a 16-kilometer walk.

Bring the usual picnic lunch, water and rain or sun gear.
A good site on the Web:
http://www.ville-noisiel.fr/tourisme/documentation_touristique.html
then "Laissez-vous conter Noisiel" (french/english).

If you wish to be informed of any eventual changes or cancellations, please
r.s.v.p. to daniel.perot@free.fr with your cell number if you have one and
your home phone if not.

09 50 56 65 26
01 45 90 65 26
Mobile (only the day of the walk)  06 99 20 70 79.

See you on Wednesday!

Wednesday 28 September at Luzarches

This Wednesday, September 28, Claude will lead us on a delightful end-of-summer hike in and around the town of Luzarches, about 30 km north of Paris in the department of the Val d’Oise. We will take an early train because direct trains to Luzarches are infrequent, and in doing so, we will be able to see the morning mist over the countryside. With any luck we will see dewdrops on spider webs before the sun has burned them off.  Lunch will be beside a former washing house (lavoir). The town of Luzarches has several remains of its past worth seeing as well: the church, the market stall and a remaining city gate. Here is Claude’s information. You see that we are counting on a sunny day!

Quoi de mieux que de partir de bonne heure pour une magnifique randonnée ensoleillée de 14 km. Elle nous conduira  à Luzarches pour découvrir cette jolie petite ville et ses environs vallonnés et parcourus de petits ruisseaux agrémentés de nombreux lavoirs.

Départ: Gare du nord à  8h49 par le train LOMI en direction de Luzarches pour une arrivée à Luzarches à 9h42 (quais pour les lignes Banlieue, ligne H, quai 30/31 probablement).

Retour: Gare de Luzarches à 15h51 pour une arrivée gare du nord à 16h42.

N'oubliez pas une petite laine pour la fraîcheur du matin, vos lunettes de soleil, votre pique-nique et votre bonne humeur habituelle.

Claude

01 30 92 04 95

06 84 14 55 35

Wednesday 21 September at Mareil sur Mauldre

close-up view of the Mauldre at Mareil

Next Wednesday, September 21, Judy Choat will lead us on a walk in the department of the Yvelines, starting and ending in Mareil sur Mauldre. We have been to Mareil before, but Judy has prepared a brand new itinerary for us. Here is her info.

 

On Wednesday we will walk a circular trail from Mareil sur Mauldre. The distance will be 20-21 km and will involve a few gentle uphill sections particularly at the beginning. It will be through forest and fields and pretty villages with a glimpse (through a broken wall) of the Chateau de Wideville, one of five homes belonging to Valentino (fashion designer) which he bought in 1995 and has since restored—apparently at great cost .

 

Travel Information:

I will meet you at Mareil sur Mauldre station as I will drive there but you should travel thus:

 

Paris Montparnasse train MOPI, direction Mantes la Jolie leaving at 9.43 and arriving at Mareil sur Mauldre 10.35. This train stops at most intermediary stations, for instance: Meudon at 9:53, Sevres RG at 9:58, Versailles Chantiers at 10:07, Plaisir Les Clayes at 10:23. If you all want to travel together I sugggest you meet in the last carriage. Anyhow I will see you all on the platform at Mareil-sur Mauldre.

 

The return trains are hourly and I think the most likely one will be at 16.58, train POMI, arriving Montparnasse at 17.57

 

Wear strong shoes, bring a picnic and plenty to drink , also waterproofs (which will hopefully stay in your bag!)

 

My cell phone number in case of an emergency  06 84 30 91 47

See you on Wednesday,

Judy

classic bridge over the Mauldre

Wednesday 14 September along the Marne

The château at Champs sur Marne

Daniel will be leading a walk on the beautiful banks of the Marne and its
parallel canal, where the constant passage of barges contrasts with the
elegant canoes and kayaks.

We'll visit the Château of Champs (the garden "à la Française"), one of the finest in France, set in a park in the "English style".
----
*Transport *

RER A (direction Marne-la-Vallée) to Neuilly-Plaisance (zone 3).

The train DYLA passes through Paris at
- Charles-de-Gaulle/Etoile              9:47.
- Châtelet/les Halles                      9:53.
- Gare de Lyon                              9:56.
Arriving at Neuilly-Plaisance at      10:09.
----
Meeting outside the station. Main exit, place de la Gare.

Return from Noisy-Champs on the same line but in zone 4.
----
Distance 15 kilometres.
Bring the usual picnic lunch, water and rain or sun gear.
> ----
See you on Wednesday!

Sunday 4 and Wednesday 7 September in the Chevreuse

Château de Mauvières

Next Wednesday, Sept. 7, Bob Levy will lead us on a hike in the Chevreuse Valley, and he will also do the same hike this coming Sunday, Sept. 4 for the PAN hikers. If you cannot join us next Wednesday you are welcome to join the PAN group this Sunday. Here is Bob's info:.

Châteaux and villages in the Chevreuse

This is a terrifically diverse walk of 16 km / 10 miles

From the RER 'B' Station at St Rémy lès Chevreuse (and no, this is not a walk we have done before) we walk south through a lovely mile-long arbor of trees to the village of Boullay les Trous. Crossing fields we soon re-enter the forest and proceed to the Château de Breteuil. From there the forest path leads us to the extraordinary village of Choisel, then the Château de Mauvières. A short climb through the Forêt de Mauvières, then a level route along the GR11, the village of Chevreuse, then the riverside back to St. Rémy (PHOTO). Trains depart St Rémy for Paris every 15-20 minutes.

For those desiring a somewhat shorter day, there is a bus from Chevreuse to St Rémy at 2:50 pm, saving the walker the final 3 kms.

Meeting time and place Châtelet Les Halles, RER B, at the rear of the platform, direction St Rémy. Meet at 9:10 for the 9:25 train.  For those wishing to board the train further south, allow 2 minutes for each station between yours and Châtelet Les Halles. For example Port Royal is 3 stops south so wait 6 minutes more for the train to arrive.

CONTACT: BOB LEVY LEVYBOB@SBCGLOBAL.NET or 09 79 67 70 88
CONTACT DAY OF HIKE (SUNDAY the 4th) 06 43 45 59 00

Bob Levy

The village of Chevreuse

Wednesday 31 August along the Essonne

Highland cows at Vert le Petit

On Wednesday, August 31, Mary Lynne will be our leader. Here is her info:

Our walk in the  Essonne River valley will take us from the town of Ballancourt to Mennecy and then back to Ballancourt by another route, about 15/16 km on mostly flat terrain. The Essonne flows north from the Beauce plateau for 97 km to join the Seine, giving its name to one of the departments through which it flows. 

We will hike beside lakes and marshes with flora and fauna that the Department of the Essonne is preserving. In fact, these wetlands are some of the best preserved in all of the Ile de France. This hike is sort of a continuation of Virginie’s Essonne hike last May. Here is a rather “corny” preview of what we may see at the ponds of Vert le Petit.  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cWasCUz7FG4

We will also walk through the Parc de Villeroy in the town of Mennecy which is known for its alignment of 130 giant sequoias.  http://www.mennecy.fr/main.php?r=ENVIRONNEMENT&page=env2_1.php.  

Departure: RER D4, train BIPE, direction Malesherbes, leaving Chatelet les Halles at 9:37and Gare de Lyon at 9:41, arriving at Ballancourt (zone 5) at 10:32.  

For those living outside Paris, a Mobilis ticket is usually less expensive than two one-way tickets. We’ll meet downstairs on the quay so as to be able to get on the last car.

Return: from Ballancourt, trains every hour. The one we are most likely to take leaves Ballancourt at 16:47.

Bring the usual picnic lunch, rain protection, sturdy waterproof shoes and good humour.

See you on Wednesday, hoping for good weather.

mlfich@yahoo.com

06 70 88 18 59

0147419820