Brie by bike: from Coulommiers to Crécy-la-Chapelle

Leave the Coulommiers railway station on your right and continue along the bike path. Cross the level crossing and turn immediately right onto Boulevard du Docteur Lorigny. Continue straight on until the stop sign at Avenue Robert Elvert. Cross and continue opposite, then turn immediately right onto Rue de Vaux. Pass by the posts and the school car park. After a very short climb to the left, take the first right. Rue de la Tour Beaufort (reserved for residents) climbs gradually upwards. Enjoy the view of the valley. Pass the concrete blocks and bike down to the right to rejoin the old trunk road. At the traffic light, climb off your bike. Walk a short distance along the left of the road until you come to Rue des Chalvergnes on your left.

Pedal several kilometres along meadowland of the Grand Morin Valley. Pass by the Chalvergne stud farm, the charming stone village of Coubertin and, after a slight climb, turn left at the stop sign. Cross the level crossing and take the first right. Shift down to tackle this steep uphill!

At the top of the hill, Le Vieux Saint-Augustin is a pleasant shady viewpoint overlooking Coulommiers. Continue along the straight road over the plateau, before bearing right at the first fork. Turn immediately right onto the road going down. Cross the D15 secondary road and enter a lovely downhill section through the valley via Rue de la Cascade. At the second little bridge, turn right towards Lavanderie. Bike along the left bank of the Aubetin Brook via a narrow shady road. Then cross to the right bank and just after crossing the stone bridge, turn left onto Rue de Mondétour. When you come to the D216, pass under the lovely red-brick railway viaduct and then turn right at the stop sign.

Pass through Pommeuse via the D216. Just before the bridge over the Grand Morin River, turn left onto the greenway. For 2 kilometers, bike through meadows and along the shady banks of the Aubetin and Grand Morin, before turning left back onto the road. At the first crossroads, turn right towards Courtalin and further on rejoin the Grand Morin along a lovely country lane. At the stop sign opposite the overhanging chapel, turn right to enter La Celle-en-Bas. Cross the village and then gradually climb the D20 secondary road between the river and wood. At the yield sign, make two successive right turns. Bike down towards the houses along Rue de la Croix Jacquée, before turning left to the school. At the second stop sign, opposite the park, turn right. Pedal down the road, cross over the Grand Morin and immediately after the bridge make a sharp left turn towards the Moulin de Bicheret watermill. Careful, visibility is poor here.

Bike along the river and pass by the picturesque Bicheret watermill. The poorly maintained lane climbs steeply up for 200 metres through the wood. At the summit cross, enjoy the view as you catch your breath. Continue right until the following small town. At the stop sign, turn left onto Rue de Dammartin. Pass through the village, then turn right towards Monthérand/Dammartin. Pass Le Grand Lud, continuing straight on at the two stop signs, then when the downhill becomes steeper, turn right at the house with the green fence. Climb the narrow lane for a few metres, then turn left onto the road. Enjoy a lovely downhill section, but slow down in the turns and in the wood, for you must turn immediately right onto the dirt trail going back up. Less hardened cyclists might want to walk their bikes the first few metres of this somewhat difficult climb. At the top, turn around to admire the view of the valley.

Continue along the gravelled tractor track that snakes its way over the plateau before dropping back down into the Grand Morin Valley. Careful of the ruts and gullies along this somewhat steep downhill section! Follow the tarred road straight on through the village. At the stop sign, bear left and then turn right just before the bridge on the edge of Serbonne.

Bike along the river until you come to splendid Notre-Dame Collegiate Church, a listed historic monument dating from the 13th century. Don’t hesitate to walk around the edifice, worming your way between the church and the brook, and admire the fine detail work of its fascinating façade. Continue along the D934 to the town centre.

Take the time to explore this old medieval town. During your stroll, discover its charming church and old fortified gates, its rampart walk and Dam’Gilles bridge. You’re sure to happen upon surprising picturesque spots at the turn of a lane or canal. Before the street narrows, turn left into the swimming pool car park. At the far end on the right, you’ll come to the Grand Morin towpath. Follow the canal, cross the road and continue along the promenade. At the end, leave the belfry on your left and turn right. Finally, bike a hundred metres up the town’s main street to arrive at the railway station.