Wednesday 5 September from Jouy to Versailles

The manufacture des toiles de Jouy in 1805

Stuart will lead us on our first hike of the "rentrée", next Wednesday 5 September. Here is his information:

 

Jouy-en-Josas to Versailles

Distance: 19.5 km

Terrain: easy going, no steep hills

Bail-out option: Saint-Cyr (12 km)

This walk begins in the beautiful Bièvre valley at the historic town of Jouy-en-Josas, famed for its Toiles de Jouy and the Oberkampf family. The route passes by several buildings associated with the family and the manufacture of the cloth. Note: we won't be visiting the Toiles Museum which really needs a dedicated visit. 

We then follow the Bièvre to the town of Buc passing by the aquaduct Louis XIV had built to supply his famous fountains. Buc is famous for its association with the aviator Louis Blériot who set up the first airfield here soon after his historic crossing of the Channel and the town soon became the centre for the early pioneers of aviation. 

After Buc we head for the Domaniale de Versailles and walk along its many étangs. The aim is to have our picnic lunch (yes, there are picnic tables!) by a quiet étang... along with the water birds. After lunch we head for Saint-Cyr RER for those who want a shorter walk. 

For those who want to continue we follow the escarpment with its magnificent views of Versailles Palace where you can really appreciate its vast scale. Awesome indeed! The walk concludes at Versailles Chantiers RER.

Getting there:
Leave:10:09 Gare Montparnasse (direction Chartres): Zone 4  N.B.
Arrive: 10:23 Versailles Chantiers. Change trains.

Leave: 10:44 Versailles Chantiers (VICK direction Versailles Rive Gauche) This is the RER C.
Arrive: 10:50 Jouy-en-Josas.

 

N.B. You can also reach Versailles Chantiers by the RER C or the SNCF U line, La Defense/La Verrière.

Return:
Saint-Cyr => Versailles Chantiers => Gare Montparnasse: trains leave every '11, '29, '41, '53 mins.
Versailles Chantiers => Gare Montparnasse: trains leave every '01, '16, '38, '49 mins.

Comme d'habitude we hope for good walking weather but, comme d'habitude, please come suitably prepared not forgetting to pack that most important ingredient - your good humour!!

Best regards,

Stuart

mobile: 06 19 85 25 56

Mr Blériot's flying machine