The Dame Jouanne

The Dame Jouanne

The Dame Jouanne massif is located in the southern part of the Fontainebleau forest, near Larchant. With its pines, sands and sandstone chaos, the Dame Jouanne forest presents varied landscapes. It has particularly remarkable rocks: the Maunoury, the Baleine, the Elephant, etc.

The name of the Dame Jouanne massif probably comes from Jeanne de Malicorne “Johanna de Malicornia” who, in the 13th century, had rights over this region. We are here at the edge of the seigneury of the Chapter of Notre-Dame de Paris, lord of Larchant since 1005.

Before 1939, the baker of Larchant built a small cabin. Thus, the young people of Larchant came by bicycle to buy cans of beer or lemonade on Sundays.

In 1945, an inn was created in the middle of the forest. Thus, Le restaurant de la Dame Jouanne or Dame Jeanne (It owes its name to the proximity of the rock of the Dame Jouanne). A simple chalet then allows to restore a clientele of climbers, of “Parisians” in search of relaxation for a Sunday. Today, Le chalet is a restaurant appreciated for its location in the middle of the Dame Jouanne.

The tour of the Dame Jouanne massif.

Take off on this 9.3-km loop route near Larchant. Considered a moderate route, it takes an average of 2 hours 30 minutes. It is a very popular place for hiking and climbing. You will therefore probably come across people during your excursion. You can access it all year round and the experience is worth it in any season. Dogs are welcome and are let off the leash in some places.

Walk about 850 m following the new GR13 at the bottom of the rocks and away from the road. If you don’t lose sight of the rocks, without climbing them, you will arrive at a large wooden staircase, built to limit the erosion of the massif. By following the staircase, you will arrive on the plateau. You will then have beautiful views of the village of Larchant, the valley and the marsh, from the edge of the plateau. Just below the rocky ground of the plateau is the “Thieves’ Cave”. This cave contains old engravings and graffiti. Unfortunately, a layer of coal very often covers them. From the plateau, from certain places, you can see the fountain of Saint Mathurin; the rock of the Dame Jouanne, the most famous in the Fontainebleau massif. It is about 15 m high and its peak is about thirty meters above the inn. It is the highest in the Fontainebleau forest massif.

THE VILLAGE

Located a few kilometers from Fontainebleau and Barbizon, Larchant is served by the Nemours train station. The activity quickly benefits from the craze for the forest and especially the surrounding rocks, the panorama from the top of the plateau and the attraction of the basilica of the village of Larchant. To see: The superb ruins of the Saint-Mathurin church of Larchant. Larchant is built at the bottom of a cirque. Larchant is worth a visit for its magnificent church and some old houses. In particular, the portal of the tower presents similarities with the portal of the Last Judgment of Notre-Dame de Paris.