Rallier Rambouillet from Paris: that's the mission, or rather, the challenge I set myself at the end of June. On the program? 90 kilometers on the GR655, also known as the Via Turonesis, one of the routes to Santiago de Compostela via Paris, Chartres (or Orléans), Tours... All the way to the Basque Country. A two-day adventure for the more athletic, or a little longer for those who want to take it easy, to be done from Paris.
"Why bother walking it when you can be in Rambouillet in just an hour by train?". That's the question my friends and family asked me the most before I set off, on a whim, to walk from Paris to Chartres (the final goal of this epic journey) on my own strength, taking a tiny part of the Camino de Compostela. Firstly, to hike this mythical route, but above all, to set off on an adventure from downtown Paris, and more specifically from the Tour Saint-Jacques, the obligatory stopping-off point for pilgrims.
So, Saturday morning, 9am, I faced the Tower, stopped off at the Ptit Bistrot just opposite to pick up the first stamp on my credenciale, the pilgrim's sesame, the hiker's passport to this itinerary. At first, all you have to do (almost) is follow the golden shells embedded in the Parisian ground: things get a little more complicated as you approach the 14th arrondissement. In front of each church, a golden shell is the promise of a new stamp on the passport: I'll stop at theHaut-Pas church in the 5th arrondissement for that.
The route takes in the Coulée verte du Sud Parisien, or in other words, the Paris-Massy bicycle route: a flat, boring stretch of road, before arriving at the Parc de Sceaux (92), continuing on to Châtenay-Malabry, Palaiseau, Plateau de Saclay... and the Abbey of Vauhallan to get my credencial stamped. And toVauhallan Abbey to get my credencial stamped.
At nightfall - 10pm, after a long walk - I reach Saint-Rémy-lès-Chevreuse, where I'm staying for the night. If you'd also like to stop off in Saint-Rémy, you can stay with a local (well, in his garden) thanks to the Homecamper platform, or opt for a permanent accommodation in the area.
Waking up at the crack of dawn, in the sweet Garden of Eden where I spent the night: without waiting, I'm off as early as possible (8am here) for another beautiful stage. Today's menu? More than 40 kilometers, first along a pretty river near Saint-Rémy-lès-Chevreuse, then discovering the little villages of this corner of the Yvelines. Like yesterday, the sun was blazing down, making the long stretches of asphalt road and the sunny crossings of wheat fields particularly difficult. The park and pond of l'Aleu, in Saint-Arnoult-en-Yvelines, is definitely the bucolic spot of the day. And don't forget to take a break in the park where the Longvilliers church is located!
The last 10 kilometers through the Rambouillet forest are particularly difficult: it's hot and humid, and you're starting to feel the fatigue... As you leave the forest, you come face to face with the magnificent Etang d'Or, opposite the Huttopia campsite in Rambouillet, and then all you have to do is follow the signs to the train station. This is where I get my credencial stamped, at the ticket office, with today's date to prove that I've reached the end of this long stage!
To return to Paris from Rambouillet, take the TER or transilien line N to Gare Montparnasse (included in the navigo pass).
Advice:
This section of the Camino de Compostela is relatively flat and therefore accessible to all. However, we don't recommend setting off on such long stages (around 50 and 40 kilometers respectively on this Paris-Rambouillet) and cutting them into smaller portions (unless you're used to hiking such long distances a lot, which took me over 12 hours of walking and breaks, then over 10 hours the next day).
When hiking, remember to pack enough food for the day (at least snacks if you plan to take a restaurant break), three liters of water per person per day, good shoes already "made", sun cream, a hat...
As the signposting is not perfect, we also advise you to take the official topoguide of the itinerary with you, or to opt for a .gpx version (available here).
The credencial mentioned in this article can be purchased online or from associations dedicated to the Compostelle Way: in Paris, these include the Maison Diocésaine du Cloître Notre-Dame in the 4th arrondissement(more info), or associations such as Les Amis de Saint-Jacques (Paris 6th arrondissement) or Compostelle 2000 (Paris 18th arrondissement). You'll need between €10 and €15 to pay on the spot, bearing in mind that the associations can also give you the famous pilgrim's scallop shell to hang from your walking bag.
This test was conducted as part of a professional invitation. If your experience differs from ours, please let us know.
Dates and Opening Time
From July 29, 2025 to December 31, 2028
Location
La Tour Saint Jacques
Square Saint-Jacques
75004 Paris 4
Official website
www.mongr.fr
