Wednesday 9 May on the canal de Chalifert

Next Wednesday, the 9th of May, Jean-Louis proposes to lead us along the Canal de Chalifert east of Paris near the Marne River. Here is his information.

We will start from the Meaux railway station, following the loop of the Marne River inside the town with the

opportunity to have a look at the Roman wall of the city, at some Medieval and Renaissance buildings

near the Cathedral and at the cathedral itself.

Then we'll leave the town and the Marne, crossing the Cornillon canal, the oldest French canal still in water, in operation since 1235 and probably before. We will then follow the canal of Chalifert, a diversion canal to the Marne between Meaux and Chalifert.The canal joins the Marne again, passing under a hill by a tunnel. Of course we'll have to go up and down the hill; a steep but short path (in fact the only minor difficulty of the entire walk.

We then follow the Marne again to the "Jardin de sculptures de la Dhuys" at Chessy and from there to the

SNCF-RER station of Lagny-Thorigny where we'll catch a train back to Paris.

There may be some muddy parts depending on the weather! Be equipped as usual.

How to get there:

meeting point: "Gare de l'Est" in Paris about 09.45. We will to take the train "ZIMO" leaving for Château Thierry at 09.51 and stopping at Meaux at 10.15.

For those who want a shorter walk (about 8 kms) it will be possible to leave the group at the bridge of Esbly where a straightforward road leads to the RER station at about 1 km aside our main path. There are trains every half hour at 26 and 56 minutes after the hour.  32 minutes to Paris.

For the others, after about 16-17 kms we'll take the return train at Lagny-Thorigny at 3 or 33 minutes after the hour. 25 minutes to Paris.

For those coming from and returning to Paris it is cheaper to buy two one-way tickets than a 5 zone Mobilis. From the suburbs the contrary may be the case, check for your own situation.

P.S. As there are not many places suitable for a lunch,  the picnic will be postponed till about 13.00 or 13.30.