You don’t have to go all the way to the Normandy coast to hike at the foot of towering cliffs. About 72 km from Paris, Gommecourt hides a landscape quite unexpected for the Île-de-France region: white cliffs plunging toward the Seine, dry hillsides covered with vegetation, and, below, the small hamlet of Clachaloze wedged between the river and the cliffs.
From the Val-Raux lookout, the view opens directly onto the Moisson bend: the Seine traces a wide meander while the chalky hillsides extend those of La Roche-Guyon, a few kilometers further east.
The cliffs of Gommecourt, a rare landscape in Île-de-France
These cliffs are part of the Coteaux de la Seine National Nature Reserve, established in 2009 and covering approximately 268 hectares between the Yvelines and Val-d’Oise departments. It encompasses five municipalities, including Gommecourt, Bennecourt, La Roche-Guyon, Haute-Isle, and Vétheuil.
What makes this site unique isn’t just its cliffs. The south-facing slopes are home to one of the region’s most significant limestone grasslands, with several hundred plant species recorded. The area also boasts wildlife that’s quite unusual for the Paris region, including green lizards, praying mantises, butterflies, and several species of birds.
In Clachaloze, the landscape also tells a human story. For a long time, the cliffs were hollowed out with cavities used as dwellings, storage spaces, or outbuildings. Some of these ancient openings are still visible in the landscape.
To explore the area beyond just the lookout point, the French Vexin Regional Nature Park offers a heritage trail of about 7.9 km, starting from Val-Raux. Allow about three hours for the hike, with a cumulative elevation gain of just over 200 meters. The route passes through the hillsides, the village of Gommecourt, its church, its washhouse, and several examples of its historic rural heritage.
Another option is to take the GR2 trail, which crosses the nature reserve and connects Vétheuil to Gommecourt via the valley’s high ground. Along the way, scenic viewpoints alternate with wooded stretches and chalk cliffs.
Location: Val-Raux viewpoint, 78270 Gommecourt
Hours: Free access year-round; best visited during the day and in dry weather.