Riking G15
The GR® 15 is a beautiful discovery close to the Marne with riverside cafes, vineyards, battles, its enchanting setting which inspires writers and artists.
The GR® 15 long-distance hiking trail connects the south of Paris, specifically from its starting point at the Maisons-Alfort metro station to its destination, the Château-Thierry train station in the Aisne department, following the many bends of the Marne River.
It thus crosses eastern Île-de-France: Bonneuil-sur-Marne, Bry-sur-Marne, Clayes-Souilly, Lagny, Meaux, La Ferté-sous-Jouarre, Nogent-l'Artaud, and finally Château-Thierry. Numerous train stations are located along the route, allowing hikers to customize their stages as they wish.
Description
Château-Thierry is served by the Francilien train from Gare de l'Est or by the A4 motorway.
(D/A) Exit the train station towards the town center (north). Take Avenue Wilson, following the red and white markers.
(1) At the intersection with Avenue de la République, turn right, then left onto Rue des Bains. Turn right onto Quai Dupuis Delizy, take the footbridge over an arm of the Marne River, and continue straight ahead. Follow the Marne on your right and cross it at the first bridge.
(2) Cross the roundabout and continue north along Rue du Général De Gaulle.
(No markers)
Arriving at Place de la Mairie (Town Hall Square), turn left onto Grande Rue. Turn right onto Rue Jean de La Fontaine and pass the museum.
(3) In front of the former Cordeliers convent, take the stairs on the right and follow the rampart walk, with the castle on your left.
(4) Go up the stairs on the left and head towards the tower. At the top, turn right onto the Victor Gardeur alley. Admire the view over the town and its surroundings. Walk along the ramparts, pass through the Saint-Jean gate, and turn left onto Rue du Château with the Riomet gardens on your right.
Then go under the Saint-Pierre gate. At the stop sign, turn right, cross Rue de la Barre, and then bear left onto Rue de la Folie l'Abbé. Follow the GR® de Pays du Tour de l'Omois trail, marked with red and yellow blazes. Continue straight ahead.
(5) At the next intersection, turn right onto Route des Chopinettes. Be careful, the GR® markings are practically nonexistent.
(6) Turn left, then right, and follow the signs for "Parc Léo Lagrange," keeping the houses on your right. Cross the stream and take the Chemin du Moulin Picard uphill. At the intersection with Rue Paul Doumer, bear slightly opposite, uphill onto Rue Milton. Continue straight ahead.
(7) Leave the paved road and take the third path on the right through the vineyards. After a left-hand bend, continue straight ahead through the vineyards for approximately 2 km.
(8) At the intersection, turn left into the vineyards (the climb is steep), then at the top of the hill, take the first right. Continue straight ahead.
(9) Turn right onto Rue de Champillon; there is a viewpoint indicator on the right. Leave the GR® de Pays trail and follow the road downhill.
No waymarking.
In the village of Gland, cross the D3, take the Rue d'en Bas opposite, then bear slightly right onto the Rue des Graviers.
(10) At the Marne River, turn right. Follow the river for 4.5 km on your left.
