Weekend getaway in the Chevreuse Valley

Exhausted by the daily grind, the long weekends are approaching but there’s no holiday on the horizon…what can you do? We’ve got a proposal you can’t refuse: a two-day getaway in the Chevreuse Valley, combining nature and heritage.

Day 1

No car !

This weekend, put away your car keys and get into “green” mode. Getting to the Chevreuse Valley from Paris is easy: all you have to do is buy a ticket for the RER B (€5.50 or valid Navigo pass) and travel to Saint Rémy-lès-Chevreuse, the line’s terminus (40 minutes from central Paris).

“Mens sana in corpore sano” or “a healthy mind in a healthy body”, as our ancestors used to say: nothing could be more accurate! To admire the landscapes and discover the treasures of this region, the ideal is to rent a bike or a “VAE”, an electrically-assisted bicycle, perfect for discovering the territory gently and quietly. This is possible from the Aiguillage tourism and ecomobility centre, located just a few hundred metres from the station, which offers itineraries, tips for outings and bike rentals with Ecox (rates: 15€ per day or 35€ for a VAE). 

Helmet on your head, bag on your back, and off you go to discover the Domaine de Dampierre, which is all decked out to welcome you in early spring.

Baladobus option!

If the sun isn’t shining, or if you’re simply not sporty, the Baladobus comes to the rescue… What is the Baladobus? Well, the Baladobus is the shuttle service offered by the Upper Chevreuse Valley Regional Nature Park (PNR) that allows you to visit all the heritage sites in the Chevreuse Valley without your own car or rental vehicle! 

See rates, schedules and sites served

A cultural and gastronomic interlude

Reopened in March 2019, the Domaine de Dampierre in Dampierre-en-Yvelines offers a range of new activities, such as a must-see Photo Safari to get to know the estate’s furry friends, the wild boar and fallow deer, or a leisurely ride in a boat or golf cart to delight your spirits.

After this cultural interlude, what do you think about creating your own grenadine or pineapple syrup?

All you have to do is pedal a little further to get to l’Alchimiste, a passionate artisan syrup maker in Chevreuse who not only lets you taste his syrups, but also offers hands-on workshops to reveal the secrets of his art.

An activity that will not only delight your children…

Where to stay in the Chevreuse Valley?

A day so rich in beautiful discoveries can only end with a night’s rest in one of the association’s gîtes or bed and breakfasts. Charming accommodation, enthusiastic and welcoming hosts/owners. Your choice: 

• La Grange de la Guesle
• Woodyhome78
• Le Petit Nailly
• The gîte de la Roseraie
• And more!

See all “Dormir en Vallée de Chevreuse” association accommodation

Day 2

After a good night’s sleep and a breakfast based on local produce, we recommend a visit to the Abbaye des Vaux de Cernay, a majestic architectural ensemble in the heart of the Chevreuse Valley, bordered by 1000 hectares of woods legendary for royal hunting.

Guided tours are available on reservation. 

And if you need a break, we recommend lunch at the Table du Prieur, a restaurant in the Abbey offering traditional French cuisine. You can also enjoy a drink in the hotel’s Gothic-style lounge, adorned with a majestic fireplace and leather sofas.

Nature tours

Not far from the Abbaye des Vaux de Cernay is the Petit Moulin. It is the only remaining mill of the six that once existed on the Vaux de Cernay site. This former flour mill is now part of the tourist development plan run by the Upper Chevreuse Valley Regional Nature Park (PNR).

For culinary enthusiasts, the second day’s highlight is a walk from the Abbey to the Petit Moulin, themed around edible plants, with Stéphane Loriot, a guide from the PNR (booking required). The guide will help you discover the edible wild plants surrounding the site! Nettle soups and allium salads are just a few ideas for unusual meals. Something to amaze your next guests!

Other ideas for outings in the Chevreuse Valley

That’s it, the weekend’s over, and it’s time to turn in your alchemist’s apron and return to the comfort of your own home, legs well exercised, mind at ease and head full of pretty pictures…waiting patiently for the next weekend!

You’ve just seen an example of an itinerary, but this type of weekend is infinitely adaptable! This unspoilt region also offers a number of green walking and cycling trails, including the Maincourt path, accessible to pushchairs and people with reduced mobility, the Véloscénie, the 1001 facets of Vaux de Cernay and many others.

There are also other must-see sites to (re)discover: the Château de Breteuil, the Château de la Madeleine, the Domaine de Port-Royal des Champs, the Coubertin farm and the Grand Maison farm…

See you soon on a stroll along a path!