Wednesday 28 March in the Chevreuse

The parish church at Gometz le Châtel

Dear Hikers,

There is a second offering this week. This one will be a 10 - 15 km walk along an old, and historic, railroad right-of-way with two options to leave early. It will be led by Bob. Here is his info.

This walk takes us from the village of Bures sur Yvette (RER 'B') up and along the old railroad bed and across the 1913 Viaduct D'Angoulême that once linked Paris with Chartres, but was later used by the Germans to transport troops and supplies. We visit the charming village of Gometz le Châtel (this alone is worth the 'price' of the walk) then descend through the hamlet of Le Bigarreaux, through the forêt of Gif sur Yvette, to the River Yvette and the RER.

The walk has an uphill start to a lovely lake.  It is a short climb and the only fairly steep uphill.  The railroad bed itself is most gradual: you will not be aware that you are climbing.

For walkers who desire a shorter day, after lunch you can return to Paris from La Hacquiniere (RER 'B') - 10 km.  Another, later option is to return from Gif sur Yvette (12 km; RER 'B').  The complete walk will include a final stroll along the lovely River Yvette to Bures, where we began (14-15 km).

Meetup Times and Place

CHATELET - LES HALLES, RER 'B', DIRECTION 'ST. REMY', at 9:10 for the train at 9:26, at the FRONT OF THE PLATFORM - NOTE, THE FRONT OF THE PLATFORM. The train will arrive in Bures sur Yvette, zone 5, at 10:03 . If you purchase a round-trip for GIF SUR YVETTE (the furthest point from Paris) you should be fine regardless of where you elect to return from.

The weather is forecast as sunny and warm.  There are no problems with mud.   Bring a picnic lunch and an appreciation that American humor is not always, or easily, understood.  Even by other Americans.

Bob Levy

LEVYBOB@SBCGLOBAL.NET
09-79-67-70-88
The day of the walk: 06-43-45-58-33


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Hannelore Bahrdt has kindly sent these two pictures from the walk.