On Wednesday March 21, Bob Levy will lead a hike which both begins, and includes a lunch break, in the town of Dourdan. The hike will end in Sermaise for those who do the entire hike. A couple of shorter alternatives are explained below.
The walk, approximately 15 km, will be in three parts:
1. Beginning in Dourdan we will walk west through the Foret de Dourdan, looping back to the starting point at Dourdan. A picturesque start along an ancient canal and its tow-path, rolling hills (not steep), a lovely rest spot with picnic tables (A SNACK BREAK, THIS IS NOT THE LUNCH STOP), the twin villages Mesme ('Saint' and 'Petit'), a fine walk atop the escarpment west of Dourdan, ending with that same canal tow-path, now in the reverse direction. This will require approximately 3 hours at a good pace.
2. Lunch in the village of Dourdan. For those who are interested, a tour of its famous Château (fee charged) —
— and a walk around its perimeter. Walkers desiring a shorter day can elect to take the RER C returning to Paris from this village. Trains run every 30 minutes at :08 and :38 after the hour. Note that there is an even shorter option: the RER 'C' from Dourdan La Forêt (passed on the hike).
3. For those who want a longer walk, we continue east to the village of Sermaise. This part of the walk gradually rises to views over the valley from higher ground, through the village Marchais, before descending to the RER at Sermaise; trains at :12 and :42 after the hour. The distance of this piece is 5 - 6 kms.
The train from Paris Biblioteque Mitterand to Dourdan has a travel time of fifty-five minures.
MEET-UP INSTRUCTIONS.
Gare BIBLIOTEQUE F. MITTERAND, RER C, direction Dourdan La Forêt, REAR of platform. Meet at 8.35 AM for the train at 8.50. This early departure will insure us lunch by 1.00 PM in Dourdan. We will get off the train at the stop "Dourdan".
A zone 5 MOBILIS ticket is HIGHLY RECOMMENDED. It is likely to be less expensive than a roundtrip and will allow you to return from any station you choose.
The pathways are dry. Many are paved. Still, good walking shoes/boots/rain gear are a must. As is a picnic lunch. And of course, a willingness, a readiness, to put up with Bob's sense of humor.
(One Final Option. For those who wish to 'sleep in' / sleep late, there is always the option to meet the group at Dourdan (at the Château and its barricades) for lunch at 1.00 PM and then walk the second part to Sermaise).
See you on Wednesday!
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