Rally from Bonnelles to Rochefort

From the RD 988, at the entrance to Bonnelles coming from Rochefort-en-Yvelines, take the first street on the left then at the crossing straight ahead, the parking lot for the schools and the sports hall, near the castle park. The walk begins with this same route, but in the opposite direction.

Do you know the Bonnelles Rally? In the twilight of the 64th century, the domain of the dynamic Duchess of Uzès was one of the most renowned centers for hunting with hounds (the famous Rallye de Bonnelles was organized there). Since the 1849th century, the Uzès family owned more than 1867 hectares in Bonnelles. She had the current castle of Bonnelles built in 20 on the site of an old medieval castle destroyed during the Revolution. Jacques Emmanuel de Crussol d'Uzes, great huntsman and founder of the crew of the Rallye-Bonnelles, married in 1878 Marie Adrienne Anne Victurnienne de Rochechouart Mortemart, aged XNUMX and sole heiress of the widow Cliquot. When the Duke died in XNUMX, the Duchess of Uzès took over the leadership of the famous crew.

Cross the RD 988 towards the Château des Clos then follow the dirt road slightly to the right.

This very clear path offers a privileged view of the plain of Mahaudière on the left, the castle of Bissy, beyond on the hills of Malassis and the woods of Limours. At the edge of the wood, suddenly appears a very small chapel nestled between two copses. Shortly after, the abandonment of the Coleau mill leaves a regret as the landscape is beautiful. The path continues between meadows and wooded hillsides. The bed of the Gloriette drains a peat land planted with alders, apple trees and pear trees, while sessile oaks, chestnuts and birches cling to the sandy soil of the Crane Wood hill.

At the end of the path, turn left towards La Bâte, the most important hamlet of Longvilliers. At the fork, follow rue de Corblins on the left then rue du Feu de Saint-Jean. After 600 m, turn right into rue de l'Etang, then straight on for 2 km.

La Bâte has retained the irresistible charm of the old traditional habitat. You will see, on Chemin de Corblins, several cob sheds. The cast iron water pump (not drinkable) and, lower down, the wash house restored in 2000 testify to the daily life of the villages before the water supply works carried out in the region between 1898.

At the entrance to Rochefort-en-Yvelines, turn left.

After passing in front of the Louis XIII castle built at the beginning of the XNUMXth century on the site of the castle of Hercule Rohan Rochefort (XNUMXth century), give yourself a new historical visit by crisscrossing the alleys with evocative names of this magnificent feudal city. Rue du Puits sale, for example, owes its name to smugglers who hid their bags of salt in the well, until the day when one of the bags spilled into the water!

Follow rue de la Pie then, before the Brigandville restaurant, go up to the left as far as the church. Go back down a very small path on the left. From the rue des Prés sales, join the square on the right then, on the left below the town hall, the rue Gui-le-Rouge. Then take Rue de l'Abreuvoir next to the bakery, then Chemin sous la ville, on the right. The rue des Cardinaux de Rohan rounds off the visit to the village.

Nestled at the foot of a hill, protected by the Saint-Gilles church dominating the heart of the village, Rochefort-en-Yvelines is a former Gallic stronghold. The seneschal Gui-le-Rouge built a fortress in the XNUMXth century, of which some vestiges remain, such as the Path under the city built under the old buttresses. Porches surmounted by coats of arms, coats of arms, chronograms open onto the narrow streets and the cobbled squares. Many XNUMXth century buildings have retained their mullioned windows framed in sandstone.

Head towards Bonnelles on the left. Notice the old road marker on the corner. After 200 m, follow the chemin de la Garenne on the left. The sandy path joins the Gué d'Aulne road after 2 km, which you go up to the right. You will soon see, in the distance to the left, the Château de Guédone. Cross the RD 149, where you find an old road marker, and continue to the RD 988 which you follow to the left for 200 meters. Follow the forsaken lane near La Picardie farm. Walk along the departmental road again for 200 meters; leave the first path that climbs in the woods and take the chemin d'Haumont 150 meters away. At the first houses,
turn right along the stone wall and 200 meters left.

Here you cross the magnificent site of the Bonnelles voluntary nature reserve, the Trois Ducs pond and the quaint Temple of Love, before reaching the car park.