Chemin des Roses

Could a simple rose hold the key to a town’s prosperity? Here along the Chemin des Roses, it certainly did. The Chemin des Roses, a 17-kilometer path winding from Yèbles to Servon, isn’t just a scenic route. It’s a fragrant corridor through history. This path traces the route of a former railway line. This railway connected Paris-Bastille to Verneuil-l’Étang. It earned its flowery name from the “rose train.” This train carried blooms cultivated in the surrounding villages to the bustling markets of Paris. Imagine the sweet scent of roses filling the air as the train chugged along. Rose cultivation became a major economic driver for the region in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. The Chemin des Roses was essential to this flourishing industry. The railway enabled growers to transport their delicate cargo quickly and efficiently to the eager buyers in Paris. Today, the old railway is a tranquil haven for walkers, cyclists, and horse riders. The Chemin des Roses meanders through peri-urban and agricultural landscapes. It showcases the beautiful scenery of the Yerres Valley and the Brie-Comte-Robert plateau. This path isn’t just a recreational space. It’s a vital ecological corridor. It allows various species to thrive and propagate. The Chemin des Roses also bears witness to a tragic event. In 1918, a devastating train accident occurred on the Yerres Viaduct. Three troop transport trains collided, resulting in the deaths of 24 soldiers and approximately 100 horses. A plaque on the viaduct commemorates this somber incident. As you walk or cycle along the Chemin des Roses, consider the history embedded in its path. From the fragrant cargo of roses to the tragic echoes of the past, the Chemin des Roses offers a unique journey.