A short hiking trail in Georges-Valbon Park

A family-friendly walking route, this short hiking trail (known as “PR5” to the initiated) will take you on a tour of the Parc Départemental Georges-Valbon to the north-east of Paris, between the Museum of Air and Space and the town of Saint-Denis.

Better known as the Parc de la Courneuve, this vast, Natura 2000-classified site offers space for vegetation and recreation in a highly urbanised area. A popular spot for family outings by local residents, it welcomes numerous visitors all year round, who come to enjoy a few moments of relaxation and physical exercise.

The course, a 12.5-kilometre loop, takes about 3 hours and 30 minutes, but it can be cut short during the walk depending on the time you have available and the ages of the children accompanying you. The route follows portions of several Grande Randonnée paths in the area, and is indicated by yellow markings which follow the usual markings made by the French Hiking Federation.

Enjoy a stroll in a natural setting…

During your walk, you’ll discover a wealth of local flora and fauna. About a hundred different tree species planted during the creation of the park now form a forest of nearly 120 hectares, offering you welcome shaded areas during your outings on hot days. The landscape offers a variety of vantage points between the woods, the wetlands and the pristine wilderness, while preserving the ecosystem for the animals and plants. Your walk will also take you to the park’s magnificent rose garden, which contains some thirty different species of roses and 30,000 flower plants to admire from June to September. After skirting around one of the lakes, you’ll arrive at the lookout point, which offers a 360° view of Paris, the waterfalls and the lakes in the garden.

On the wildlife side, you’ll find many species of birds that have chosen the park as their home. These include waterbirds, such as moorhens, swans and ducks during the day, and for the more discerning bird-watchers, bitterns, common sandpipers and little grebes, which at nightfall give way to long-eared owls. If you’re careful, you might catch a glimpse of the other small animals inhabiting the wooded areas, such as the foxes, martens, weasels and field mice, as well as insects, amphibians and other fish inhabiting the wetlands.

… with fun activities for all ages

The trail can be an opportunity to spend the day in the park, alternating between walks and moments of relaxation. The park is crisscrossed with various paths and peppered with activities for all tastes and ages, including fitness trails and play areas for children. Make sure to set aside time for a picnic on the lawns as well.

This is a walk you’ll want to take à la carte, at your own leisurely pace.