Pascal Boutreau is a child of the Paris basin, living in Saint-Germain-en-Laye and a lover of history, nature and sport above all! It was therefore obvious that he would become an “ambassador” of culture and sport for our destination Saint Germain Boucles de Seine.
Sport and culture punctuate his personal and professional life
Originally from Marne, he has lived in Saint-Germain-en-Laye for six years, which he particularly likes for its exceptional living environment. Its Terrace, its park, its forest are infinite playgrounds for this triathlete and great cycling enthusiast.
Great athlete Pascal is in his personal and also professional life. Sports journalist for 15 years in the media l’Equipe and for 9 years for Equidia, it is a real passion that runs through his veins and that he continues to exercise as a freelancer today. But what drives it above all are stories and history. Stories, people, anecdotes whether past, present or future feed his professional articles and also those he likes to share with his community via his blog “the spirit of sport”.
Pascal’s “game circles” at Saint Germain Boucles de Seine
In May 2020, Pascal caught our attention on social networks, revealing in three episodes “Cercle de jeu” all the corners of Saint-Germain-en-Laye, within the framework of the restriction of outdoor leisure activities whose practice was limited to 1km around your home. In 3 jogs he revealed to us the historical traces and the beauty of the urban flora that the royal and imperial city of Saint-Germain-en-Laye conceals.
This experience gave him the desire to continue his explorations. His niche being “rather excess than half-measure”, he wanted to challenge himself again. He therefore left to explore in more detail and in kilometers the treasures of all of Saint Germain Boucles de Seine. Always mixing culture and sport, through information taken from books and discoveries.
So we grabbed the ball and joined him on his expedition last February, to share his passion and appreciate our destination from another angle.
36 km of cycling through 10 municipalities of Saint Germain Boucles de Seine steeped in history
The meeting was given at 8 a.m. in front of the gates of the National Estate (park of the Château de Saint-Germain), under a big blue sky, a radiant sun and freezing cold.
The National Estate of Saint-Germain-en-Laye and the banks of the Seine in Pecq
A gentle start with the sunrise on the Terrasse Le Nôtre and the view of the Seine… And also the fact of being perched on an electric bike, unlike Pascal on his mountain bike!
We then headed towards the Corbière du Pecq park which borders the Seine. Playground, animal park, picnic tables, it is a true haven of peace for families.
The island of Ibis in Vésinet and the Avenue Verte Paris-Londres in Croissy-sur-Seine
But we didn’t have time to linger, many nuggets were still waiting for us! We continued our journey to Lac des Ibis, its ducks, its bridges and mini rocky waterfalls, its superb restaurant, the Pavillon des Ibis, which sits enthroned in the middle of the Island. Short break to mix culture and sport, in front of the panels telling the history of the city-park of Vésinet.
Heading back towards Croissy-sur-Seine, we walked past the Sainte-Marguerite du Vésinet church. Its stained glass windows and decorations were created by the artist Maurice Denis. We pedaled very slowly as we approached “his sleeper”, a superb graffiti that Pascal likes, located under the Maréchal-de-Lattre-de-Tassigny bridge, on the banks of the Seine, along Avenue Verte Paris -London.
Then, a big pedal stroke to go up the Vignes Benettes district in Pecq, then on the slopes of Port-Marly, and its castle of Monte-Cristo, before arriving in the National Estate of Marly as close as possible to the watering hole. and Marly horses.
The Royal Park of Marly-le-Roi to the Tourist Office in Saint-Germain-en-Laye
Along the ponds, the statuaries, the fir trees, we climb to the top of the royal park (to make things a little more difficult…). Then, we take the direction of Saint-Germain-en-Laye, crossing the villages of Mareil-Marly and Etang-la-Ville. Before returning to the banks of the Seine at Port-Marly, passing in front of the Rowing Club and the Pyramides club.
A final challenge awaited us. It was necessary not to miss the superb Wall of Lions and the Ramp of the caves. These two architectural elements are part of the remains of the Château-Neuf where Louis XIV was born. We therefore went up the entire Avenue du Maréchal de Lattre de Tassigny before ending our 42km escapade through 10 towns with a well-deserved break at the Tourist Office, within the Villa Eugénie Désoyer, in the Jardin des Arts.
| Download the GPX track |
To find the historical information compiled by Pascal, and now the second part of the adventure in the other 9 communes of Saint Germain Boucles de Seine, go to his blog !
Balade VTT à Saint Germain Boucles de Seine - Acte 1
Balade VTT à Saint Germain Boucles de Seine - Acte 2
