31 August 2011

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

28 August 2011

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.
06 70 88 18 59
0147419820

21 August 2011

Wednesday 24 August


Next Wednesday 24 August, Claude will lead us on an easy 13 km hike along the Marne from Esbly to Lagny.

The highlight of this walk will be the Dhuys Sculpture Garden, a majestic and mysterious open air museum created by Jacques Servières from blocks of limestone, once part of an aqueduct that was destroyed during WWII.

You can check out this fascinating collection and the story of its creation at: http://www.jardindesculpture.net/cariboost1/crbst_2.html

Here is Claude's info.


Cette randonnée facile de 13 km nous conduira encore une fois au bord de l'eau, sur les bords de Marne entre Esbly et Lagny. En chemin nous pourrons admirer les sculptures monumentales, en pierre cette fois-ci, du jardin des sculptures de la Dhuys.

Avant de reprendre le train nous pourrons faire un petit tour dans la charmante petite ville de Lagny.


Départ : Gare de l'Est à 10h Train MICI en direction de Meaux arrivée à 10h01 à Esbly (zone 5).

Retour : Gare de Lagny à partir de 14 h avec un train toutes le 30 mn.



N'oubliez pas pique-nique, lunettes de soleil et parapluie, et votre bonne humeur habituelle.


Claude

01 30 92 04 95

06 84 14 55 35

13 August 2011

Wednesday 17 August around Beynes

Countryside near Beynes
 
Dear Hikers,
 
On Wednesday, August 17th, Judy and Cecilia will lead a 15-16 km walk, hilly in places, in the Forêt Domaniale de Beynes and the surrounding countryside. 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 and/or suncream and a sunhat (part of the walk is through open countryside with no shade).
 
We will take the 9.43 train from the Gare Montparnasse (direction Mantes la Jolie) arriving at Beynes 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€, the same as the return train fare to Beynes.

Mobile phone numbers: 
Judy 06 84 30 91 47
Cecilia 06 45 68 88 05.
 
See you on Wednesday!
 
The lavoir at Cressay
 

07 August 2011

Wednesday 10 August: Louette and Chalouette

Saint Martin d'Etampes
 Our next hike on Wednesday, August 10 will be led by Claude Faure. Like last week, this walk will be in the Essonne, on another branch of the RER C. You will need a picnic lunch. Here is Claude's information:
 
Our walk, near Etampes, will take us along two small rivers, the Louette and the Chalouette, and through several small and charming villages. If you feel up to it, this 15km walk can be extended to 20km and take in the stream-side watercress beds.

Cette randonnée nous conduira près d'Etampes le long des petites rivières "La Louette" et "La Chalouette" qui traversent de sympatiques petits villages. Cette randonnée de 15 km peut, si vous êtes courageux, étendue à 20 km afin de découvrir les cressonières le long de ces ruisseaux.

To get there: Gare d'Austerlitz, RER C ELBA (direction Saint Martin d'Etampes) at 9:28, arriving at Saint Martin d'Etampes (zone 5) at 10:28. This train also leaves Bibliotèque François Mitterrand at 9:31.

Attention: Since RER C service is interrupted betweeen Invalides and Austerlitz until August 20, you will have to get to Austerlitz or Bibilotèque by bus or metro.  Etampes is now in zone 5 because zones 5 and 6 have been merged to make one zone.

Return: RER C at 15:47 or 16:13 for the 15km walk.

As usual, bring a picnic lunch and be in a good mood: good weather is forecast.

Comme d'habitude, pique-nique et bonne humeur le beau temps étant en principe prévu.

Claude
claude.faure90@sfr.fr

On the banks of the Chalouette