26 May 2013

two walks for May 29

We have two options for Wednesday, May 29: Le Jardin de Bagatelle and La Plaine de Versailles

Claude and Marcel Kohl will take us through the magnificent Jardin de Bagatelle.


Mercredi 29, c'est au parc de Bagatelle que vous êtes conviés avec Claude et Marcel Kohl.

Après avoir traversé le bois de Boulogne(sans s'attarder avec ses créatures), nous nous promènerons dans le parc et y pique-niquerons.

C'est l'époque des iris et des roses,mais cette année étant exceptionnelle, seront-ils fleuris? Suspense......

Le rendez-vous est metro de la Muette(ligne 9) à 9h30, et nous reviendrons à notre point de départ vers 15 ou 16h.

Nous espérons que vous êtes en forme,et que cette balade ne vous épuisera pas.

The meeting point is metro de la Muette(line 9) at 9.30 and we'll finish the walk in the early afternoon at the same place.

Hope to see both you and Phoebus

Amicalement,

Marcel

PS: le nom du lieu du RV(la Muette) n'a pas été choisi comme une invitation à respecter le silence,  puisque l'origine de ce nom est "la meute".
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For our second option, Mary Lynne will lead us on the Plaine de Versailles, due west of the gardens of Versailles, an area of fields, prairies, streams, woods and charming villages which were formerly in the royal domain. Starting at the Gare de St. Nom la Breteche, we will walk briefly in the Foret de Marly to reach the town of St. Nom with its 12 c. church. From there we'll head out into the country towards the Ru (stream) de Gally along which we will walk to Villepreux (12 c. church, restored medieval half-timbered house). We will leave Villepreux on the former Allée Royale which in the time of Louis XIV was about 80 meters wide, bordered by a double row of elm trees, and was one of the five roads radiating from the Etoile Royale in the Versailles gardens. Now it is just a rural path. Our next stop will be in Rennmoulin with its 12 c. chapel (picnic spot), ancient fountain and lavoir. In Noisy le Roi we will take a five minute train ride back to the Gare de St. Nom.

Since we will reach the picnic spot around 13:30, we'll stop for a snack in Villepreux around 12:30.

Although we will avoid the muddiest part of the hike, you will still need waterproof, mud-resistant footwear. Bring a picnic lunch, water, sun/rain protection and your usual good humor.

Travel information:

Gare St Lazare, line L, train Pils, leaving 9:32, direction st. Nom La Breteche /Foret de Marly, arriving in St. Nom at 10:11. Meet at the end of the quai at St. Lazare. Mary Lynne will board the train in Garches or meet you at the station in St. Nom.

Return: trains from Noisy to St. Nom: 15:45, 16:15, 16:43. three to five minute ride to St. Nom

trains from St. Nom to Paris St. Lazare: 16:04, 16:36, 16:51

Mary Lynne's contact info: mlfich@yahoo.com        0670881859

18 May 2013

Hike on Wednesday, May 22

Dear Hikers,


‘VALMONDOIS, NESLES LE VALLE, PARMAIN in the Val D'Oise department

On Wednesday May 22 Bob Levy will lead us 17–18 kms through forest and hamlet, above the River Oise, a circuit that begins and ends in beautiful Valmondois. The GR #1 follows an old railroad grade from Valmondois, running along the stream Sausseron, through villages La Rue Doree, and Verville, to Nesles le Vallee, a beautiful lavoir, a hidden creekside trail, then the long gradual climb to Parmain. From there a short climb followed by the forested descent back to Valmondois. The walk will proceed at a lively pace. This combines two walks featured in the IGN Walking Guide for the area, and, at present, is lush and color-filled.

NOTE:

For those who wish a shorter day, at 15 kms. we will pass close to the SNCF Gare at Parmain. However, the day’s walking pace will be robust, and trains from Parmain to Valmondois run only once each hour.

MEET-UP INFORMATION:

(1) PARIS GARE DU NORD: SNCF BANLIEU, DIRECTION ‘VALMONDOIS via PERSAN BAURMONT’:

Meet at 9:10 for the train departing at 9:26 and arriving Valmondois at 10:18.

(2) Note that Valmandois CAN be reached from Gare St. Lazare (SNCF) and Porte Maillot (RER ‘C’). These options require train changes at Ermont-Eaubonne. If you choose this option, please plan on arriving at Valmndois no later than 10:00.

From VALMANDOIS, trains return to Paris every 30 minutes..

As always, picnic lunch, (apples for Trixie), strong water-resillient shoes and outer garments.

Bob Levy:

LEVYBOB@SBCGLOBAL.NET

RAL415@GMAIL.COM

09-79-67-70-88

On Day of Hike: 06-43-45-5



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14 May 2013

Hike for May 15

Dear Hikers,

The days are getting longer and the hikes too. This week Daniel Robinot is proposing a relatively long hike starting in Rambouillet which will pass by the chateau and lovely gardens before heading toward the "Rochers D'Angennes" where we will have our picnic. 

First a little history: The 14th century fortified castle has been inhabited by famous people who progressively transformed it into a residence for hunting and leisure activities. Louis XVI acquired it in 1783 and had a dairy built for Marie Antoinette as he had done at Versailles. The domaine was somewhat forgotten in the 19th century before becoming a secondary residence for the presidents of France from 1886 until 2009. The chateau is surrounded a garden "a la française", numerous canals and six little islands.

The 22/23 km itinerary is easy, dry, but there may be mosquitoes so bring your bug repellant. There isn't a way to shorten the hike unless you are willing to find your way on your own through the forest.

Here is Daniel's version in French followed by the travel information:

Randonnée du 15 mai

Les jours rallongent, les randonnées aussi. Je vous propose un long parcours au départ de Rambouillet qui nous fera passer par le parc du château à l'aller et au retour et par les Rochers d'Angennes où l'on devrait pic-niquer.

Un peu d'histoire : Le château fort du XIVème siècle a abrité au cours des siècles des personnages illustres qui l'ont progressivement transformé en une résidence d'agrément acquise par Louis XVI en 1783 qui y fit construire une laiterie pour la Reine comme à Versailles. Le domaine tomba ensuite un peu dans l'oubli avant de devenir lieu de villégiature pour les présidents à partir de 1886 jusqu'en 2009. Il est encadré d'un jardin à la française, de canaux et de six îles.

Informations pratiques : Le parcours long de 22/23 Km est facile, sec mais parfois les moustiques viendront vous rendre une petite visite (révulsant bienvenu), avec peu de dénivelé mais ne propose pas de version courte, sauf si vous tenez à vous égarer dans la forêt :-)

Comme d’habitude la bonne humeur est de rigueur, les chaussures adaptées, l'appareil photo fortement conseillé.

Train au départ de Paris-Montparnasse à 8h54, arrivée Rambouillet 9h57, rendez-vous devant la gare where Daniel will be waiting for you.

Retour Rambouillet vers 16h, nombreux trains directs ou omnibus pour Paris. 

Departure: Gare Montparnasse at 8:54 arriving at Rambouillet at 9:57. Meet in front of the station in Rambouillet.

Return around 16:00. There are numerous trains, direct or omnibus, for Paris.
A bientôt.
Daniel
Tel. 06.10.85.47.67