Bures-sur-Yvette to Gif-sur-Yvette

Soon after arriving in Paris this past August, Kate sent us a link to an article about hikes that are reachable with our Navigo (public transport) passes.  We dug out the article this past weekend and found another adventure in the Paris exurbs that would be perfect for a warm, sunny fall day.  We packed up some snacks and Sandy, put on some hiking shoes, and took the RER B to a station near Orly airport, Bures-sur-Yvette. (Our mantra:  "The RER B is great when it works.")  Very near the train station, we joined a moderately hilly trail through the woods.  In addition to the main trail, which we were following, the woods was criss-crossed with dozens of smaller, make-shift trails marked with small twig walls on each side.  

After a mile or so, the trail went under a viaduct, which made for some dramatic photos of Glenn and Sandy.

And then the trail lead over an extremely tall viaduct.  Dozens of people had lined up to ride zip lines or repel down to the valley below.  We decided to pass on that opportunity.  We did, though, hike partway down on the side of the viaduct, which is where I took this photo.  If you look closely, you can see two people repelling down the side.    

We learned of the viaduct's interesting history.  It had originally been built in 1914.  During the  occupation of WWII, it was used by the Nazis to transport troops and materials to and from Paris.  The Allies then bombed it, rendering it unusable.  Around 2000, repairs were completed and it was converted to recreational usage.  Today, it is enjoyed by cyclists, climbers, and hikers.   

The hike continued through a small village, which had multiple art galleries but no open restaurants.  We had come prepared, though, with a picnic of cheese, pretzels, dried fruit, nuts, chocolate, and dog treats.  Glenn and I saved the dog treats for Sandy. 

We concluded our five-mile ramble with a walk along some fallow agricultural fields and through another forest to the train station in Gif-sur-Yvette.  A beautiful way to spend a beautiful fall day.