In Val-De-Marne, nature trails, water activities, street art and regional food culture can be the focus of a trip. When choosing accommodation, it helps to first decide on your destinations or the starting point of a route. The routes described vary in length and means of getting around; activities range from walking to paddling.
Nature Trails and Routes to Choose From
The designated Espaces Naturels Sensibles in Val-De-Marne support ecological and landscape conservation as well as social development. The Arc Boisé massif covers nearly 3,000 hectares of woodland and forest, which are open to walkers. In La Queue-en-Brie, the Morbras remains in its natural state. A walk towards Ormesson-sur-Marne follows the river, offering a chance to discover the wildlife and plant life along its banks.
There are walking routes of varying difficulty through forests, along riverbanks and on country paths. A self-guided tool lets you search for walking and cycling routes based on your preferences, ability and available time. This can help you choose if you want to decide in advance how much time to set aside for a route.
Two named routes offer a concrete comparison: Des Îles en Ville is a 10-kilometre walking route that starts and ends at the Saint-Maur-Créteil RER A station in Saint-Maur-des-Fossés. Balade dans le Haut-Val-de-Marne is a 15-kilometre nature-themed cycling route that starts and ends in Chennevières-sur-Marne. They differ both in stated distance and means of getting around: ten kilometres on foot versus fifteen kilometres by bike.
The Parc départemental des Marmousets is another option for spending time outdoors. The visitor park covers 40 hectares and offers activities, children's play areas and a water garden. Nearby Bois de Vincennes has bike rental options, dedicated cycle paths and circular routes.
Water, Art and Food Culture
Val-De-Marne's waterways make a range of activities possible: canoeing, kayaking, stand-up paddleboarding, river cruises and rowing. Operators and availability may change, so check what is offered for your intended dates in advance. Options range from getting out on the water under your own steam to taking a river trip.
An urban street art identity has developed in Vitry-sur-Seine, associated with C215 and other artists whose work appears on streets and facades. Outdoor artworks change over time. So if street art is a priority for you, it's worth keeping your visit flexible rather than assuming the works will remain unchanged.
On the Marne, the guinguette tradition brings food and entertainment together in a distinctive way: cabaret restaurants, friture or moules frites, white wine and accordion music are all part of it. Individual venues and menus may change, so check what's currently on offer before visiting.
At the Vergers de Champlain farm in La Queue-en-Brie, visitors can walk through fields to pick fruit and vegetables. The Marché d’Intérêt National de Rungis, meanwhile, is divided into sections for fruit and vegetables, meat, horticulture and decoration, and dairy products and gastronomy. These examples offer different perspectives on food: harvesting on a farm and the themed organization of a large market.
Getting to Know the Places and Connections
The Trans-Val-de-Marne bus network connects the towns in the département. If you're planning one of the routes described, its start and end points can also inform your choice. This lets you choose a base around your plans without limiting the trip to just one way of exploring.
Discover more destinations: Champigny-Sur-Marne, Vincennes, Villeneuve-Saint-Georges, Villeneuve-Le-Roi, Villejuif, Rungis, Orly, Nogent-Sur-Marne, Maisons-Alfort, Le Kremlin-Bicêtre, Joinville-Le-Pont, Ivry-Sur-Seine, Fontenay-Sous-Bois, Créteil, Charenton-Le-Pont, Cachan, Bonneuil-Sur-Marne, Boissy-Saint-Léger, Arcueil, Alfortville, Vitry-Sur-Seine, Saint-Maur-Des-Fossés, Fresnes, Bry-Sur-Marne, Choisy-Le-Roi, Saint-Maurice, Chevilly-Larue, Saint-Mandé, Sucy-En-Brie, Thiais, Marolles-En-Brie, Villecresnes, Limeil-Brévannes, Le Perreux-Sur-Marne, Maisons-Alfort, Villiers-sur-Marne, La Queue-en-Brie, Santeny, Chennevières-sur-Marne, L'Haÿ-les-Roses.
For the main travel overview: Ile-De-France.
