Wednesday 15 March the Choice is Yours

This week you will have the choice between two walks. One is shorter and closer to Paris. The longer one is out in the country.

  

Here is the first proposal, the shorter walk. 

Next Wednesday we will have a 9km walk, led by Dominique Raveau along the Canal de l'Ourcq. It's the continuation of our Canal Saint Martin and Bassin de la Villette stroll. With many industrial and commercial activities it's not the nicest part of the Canal trail, nevertheless it's a very agreeable one. (On a subsequent walk we will continue along the canal as it heads out into the country.)  

We will pass near Les Grands Moulins de Pantin, emblematic of the 19th century industrial heritage, then along the banks to the Parc de la Bergère in Bobigny where we will have a picnic. We could finish with a visit to the nice local church in Bondy.

Meeting point: 10.30 Fontaine aux Lions, metro line 5 exit Porte de Pantin, Paris

Return: 14.27 (or before) Gare de Bondy, RER E, a train every 15 min. Zones 3

RER E, direction Haussmann Saint Lazare, correspondence with RER B Gare du Nord

Looking forward to a sunny Wednesday!

Dominique

01 47 02 90 48 ; 06 33 23 07 31

And now for the longer one, with bailout point, to be led by Stuart Ellis.

This week's walk will take us first around L'Isle Adam and then from Parmain to Valmondois. Approximately 16km.

 

Part 1 - Circuit of L'Isle Adam (8km):

From L'Isle Adam Parmain train station we walk through the town to the Chinese Pavilion (currently under restoration) and its park. We then continue into the Bois de Cassan and head north towards the river Oise where we follow a path alongside the river back to the town. 

The plan is to lunch by the river at an écluse (seating and tables available). Walking conditions are flat/easy and with little/no mud! 

Those wanting to return to Paris (Gare du Nord) after lunch can take the train at L'Isle Adam Parmain :
13.33 change at Valmondois
14.22 direct
14.33 change at Valmondois

 

Part 2 - Parmain to Valmondois (8km):

From L'Isle Adam Parmain RER we climb up the escarpment to the plateau behind the town. This is the only climb of the entire walk but well worth it for the views over the Oise valley! There is a short open stretch along the plateau and then we enter a forest and descend to the pretty village of Verville. Here we pick up the path of the old Marines to Valmondois railway which has been made into a beautiful pathway for walkers. 

It follows the Sausseron river down to Valmondois. The natural beauty of this area has attracted many writers, painters and poets (Corot, Daubigny, Vlaminck, Duhamel, Vildrac...) and the pathway takes us past the Villa Daumier. We end the walk at Valmondois train station where there is a Musée du Chemin de Fer created in the 1970's by enthusiasts keen to preserve some of the heritage of the old railway line. 

The plan is to catch the 16.24 train which arrives at the gare du Nord at 17.15 (direct trains every 30 mins). Walking conditions: 1 short hill then flat and downhill; little/no mud.

 

Getting there:  We will take the 09.56 train POVA (train de banlieue) from Paris gare du Nord (direction Persan Beaumont) arriving at L'Isle Adam Parmain at 10.51. Meet at the end of the quai to board the last car going out.

 

As always we hope that the weather will be fine but please come suitably prepared + lunch + water + rain gear, etc.

Best Regards,
Stuart

mobile: 06 19 85 25 56