Les Vaux de Cernay in Yvelines remains blocked for three days due to traffic disruptions

Traffic Disruptions Expected in the Chevreuse Valley from March 25 to 27, 2026 Drivers should plan for delays in the Chevreuse Valley during this period. The G7 Foreign Ministers' Summit will be hosted at the Vaux-de-Cernay Abbey in the Yvelines, leading to road closures in the surrounding area to ensure security.

If you had plans for a stroll in the Chevreuse Valley this Wednesday or Thursday, you'll need to rethink your plans or adjust your route. Around the Yvelines and near the Vaux-de-Cernay Abbey, traffic is heavily disrupted, and a large zone is off-limits to the public from Wednesday, March 25 at 3 p.m. to Friday, March 27 at 6 p.m. The reason? Diplomatic in nature: the G7 foreign ministers are gathering at Vaux-de-Cernay Abbey from March 25 to 27, 2026.

Why are the Vaux-de-Cernay monasteries closed this week?

A large part of the Chevreuse Valley surrounding the abbey will be under heightened security, with traffic disruptions starting Wednesday, March 25 at 3 p.m. until Friday, March 27 at 6 p.m.. Specifically, several nearby roads will be closed, and security checks and searches are expected on the remaining open routes, notably the D24 between Senlisse, Auffargis, and Les Essarts-le-Roi. Some forest access points near the abbey will also be closed. The most significant disruptions are anticipated on Thursday and Friday, coinciding with the arrival and departure of delegations.

Who is visiting the Vaux-de-Cernay Abbey?

The meeting is chaired by Jean-Noël Barrot, France’s Minister for European Affairs, whose constituency includes the Yvelines. The agenda covers key regional and international crises: Iran, Gaza, the broader Middle East, and the ongoing situation in Ukraine. Among the attendees are Marco Rubio, the U.S. Secretary of State, as well as representatives from India and Brazil, invited as emerging global powers, along with the Ukrainian and South Korean ministers.

Why choose this location over others?

The choice of the Vaux-de-Cernay Abbey is no coincidence. This 12th-century Cistercian site, nestled deep within the Rambouillet forest, is only about fifteen kilometers from the Château de Rambouillet. It was precisely there that President Valéry Giscard d'Estaing gathered, fifty years ago, the leaders of the six most industrialized democratic nations for the very first summit, held from November 15 to 17, 1975. The G6 had just been formed, later evolving into the G7 with Canada's entry the following year. Half a century on, France once again hosts world diplomacy in this historic corner of the Haute Vallée de Chevreuse.

Which routes are affected by the disruptions?

If you live or work in the area, the roads between Senlisse, Auffargis, and Les Essarts-le-Roi are under heightened surveillance, with occasional closures depending on delegation movements. The D24 remains the most heavily monitored route. To avoid traffic jams, it’s advisable to take alternative routes that bypass the zone entirely: the D906 via Rambouillet to the south, or the D838 through Chevreuse to the north, both allowing access to neighboring towns without passing near the abbey.

This Vaux-de-Cernay meeting is part of a broader diplomatic schedule: a forthcoming gathering is planned in New York during the United Nations General Assembly in September, followed by a final session in Marseille in November.