I enjoy walking. I’ve never been a great athlete, but going for a hike, in the mountains or elsewhere, or taking a stroll to discover a new area, has always been an activity I love to do. I even do it in the city, since I really enjoy walking around Paris or in the cities I visit during my city breaks… Not to mention the fact that it’s an activity with many health benefits that helps preserve a certain sense of serenity.

The advantage of living in Paris is that you can easily discover the landscapes of Ile-de-France and find yourself completely in the countryside in very little time, such as during a short getaway in the Yvelines department.

That’s how I discovered last year the label “Vert les Yvelines,” which lists dated, guided, and hosted hikes in the department that are open to everyone, from beginners to experienced hikers. This 3rd season of “Vert les Yvelines” walks and hikes now offers over 170 hiking events (Nordic walking, sports hiking, or Sunday strolls).

This event is a great opportunity to discover the “hiking” trend through a series of activities, to escape the urban bustle and get some fresh air while enjoying the Yvelines landscapes. Considered the green lung of the Ile-de-France, the department holds an exceptional green heritage and beautiful biodiversity that are ultimately little known to those living in the Paris region, with 1,293 km of marked trails to explore and discover the routes of the Yvelines.

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My hike in the heart of the Houdanais region

Last year, I did a big loop in the Houdanais region with Yvelines Tourism, discovering the picturesque town of Houdan, with its medieval charms: timber-framed houses, dungeon, and church… where you also meet curious characters, the actors of the Narrêvasion company.

We walked along “la Croix aux pèlerins” and on the banks of the Vesgre, through plains and wooded areas with a passage through Richebourg and its church with 13 gargoyles.

For a bite to eat, I recommend a little gourmet stop at the Bistrot des Quat’Zarts, located in a pretty converted farmhouse with a flea-market feel, at the Ferme du Bois l’Epicier in Maulette.

It was also a great opportunity to take some beautiful nature and culture photos, and I plan to schedule a few more small excursions this year in the beautiful Yvelines department.

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And you, have the Yvelines won you over?

⇒ Read my other articles about the Yvelines!

Photo credits: Mademoiselle Bon Plan
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