Hike for October 5

Dear Hikers,

This week I offer a shortish hike in honor of the opening of Danielle Thompson's movie, Cezanne et Moi. This 12 km hike ( 171 m. difference in altitude) will start and end in Villennes sur Seine, a 20" train ride from the Gare st. Lazare. It will be an easy walk except for a long stairway at the end of the walk, but which can be avoided by taking streets, but this will be longer. 

We will walk from Villennes to Medan where we will pass by the house that Zola bought in 1878 thanks to the success of his book L'Assomoir. The house is closed for renovations until 2018. Other artists and writers frequented Medan during that period: Cezanne, Pissaro, Goncourt, Dardel, Maupassant, Huysmans. We will also take a peek at the chateau, originally a 15th century hunting lodge which has been renovated to its 16th century style.From 1924-1935, Maurice Maeterlinck, author of Pelleas et Melisande resided at the chateau.

Leaving Medan we will walk though woods, fields and villages on the plateau above the town before returning to Villennes.

Getting there: 

two ways: 

1.) Gare St Lazare, line J, train MALA, at 9:23, direction Mantes La Jolie, arriving Villennes at 9:46.  

2.) RER A  train UOLE from Chatelet les Halles, at 9:11 to Houilles and change to the J train to Villennes. AT Chatelet les Halles, take RER train UOLE, direction Cergy Le Haut at 9:11 to the station at Houilles, then change to the J train MALA, coming from St. Lazare, direction Mantes la Jolie and get off at Villennes sur Seine.

RER A train UOLE, direction Cergy Le Haut to Houilles arriving at 9:28. This train leaves the Gare de Lyon at 9:07; Chatelet les Halles at 9:11; charles de Gaulle Etoile at 9:17; L'a Defense at 9:21.

Change to J train ( same one as in option 1), leaving Houilles at 9:34 and arriving at Villennes at 9:46. The RER A UOLE leaves Chatelet les Halles at 9:11

Return trains from Villennes every half hour: 15:11, 15:41, 16:11, 16:41, etc. we will aim for the 15:11 train. Or, we could visit the 11th century church  and take the next train, or we can enjoy a drink at the cafe opposite the station.

You will need sturdy hiking shoes, sun and rain protection, plenty of water and a picnic lunch, as well your usual good humor.

You need personal accident and liability insurance to participate in a hike.

See you on Wednesday!

Mary Lynne