Climbing crag · Bures-sur-Yvette (Essonne)
Climbing at the Viaduc des Fauvettes
Eleven millstone pillars in the heart of the Chevreuse valley, a short RER ride from Paris. The digital and 3D guidebook, made with COSIROC, who bolt the crag.
- 127 routes
- 11 pillars
- 3c → 7c
- RER B access
Free app · the full guidebook unlocks in the app for €9.99.
A viaduct turned vertical playground
Built in the early 20th century for the Paris–Chartres line via Gallardon, the Viaduc des Fauvettes only saw trains for a few years before the line was abandoned. Bombed in 1944 and restored in 2004, it now spans a wooded valley between Bures-sur-Yvette and Gometz-le-Châtel. These days, it's climbers who use it… vertically.
There's no natural cliff here: you climb the eleven pillars and buttresses of the structure, built from millstone, a rough, pocketed stone with positive holds. The climbing is vertical and often sustained, on routes from 7 to 36 metres. Regulars of Paris bouldering gyms will soon find out: a Fauvettes 6a has to be earned.
With 127 routes from 3c to 7c, the heart of the crag is in the 6th grade, enough to tick pitches all day long while moving from pillar to pillar with the sun: in the shade of the arches when it's hot, on the open faces when winter sets in.
The crag is bolted and maintained by volunteers from COSIROC. Our guidebook was made with Jean-Yves Derouck from the association, and most of every sale goes back to them to fund new routes and the upkeep of the pillars.
Want a taste first? Read the story of our day at the Fauvettes: RER B, Travaux d'Herr Luc, AC/DC and wild currants at the foot of the pillars.
Le Viaduc des Fauvettes: the full guidebook in the OneTopo app
- Every route drawn on a photo, with its grade
- Works offline, right at the foot of the crag
- Thrown in: the crag in 3D, at no extra cost
- Most of the price goes to the people who bolt the crag
Guidebook preview
A taste of the 127 detailed routes available in the app.
Spin around pillar 2
The whole viaduct has been modelled in 3D. Rotate pillar 2, zoom in on a route and spot its line before you've even uncoiled the rope: it's exactly what you'll find in the app, for all eleven pillars.
- All 11 pillars modelled, with every route's line
- Grades shown right on the rock
- Available offline in the app once the guidebook is unlocked
At a glance
- routes
- 127
- sectors
- 11
- grades
- 3c → 7c
- climbing style
- Sport · Multi-pitch
- best season
- Jan → Nov
- 23c
- 14a
- 44b
- 14c
- 25a
- 35a+
- 45b
- 65b+
- 115c
- 45c+
- 126a
- 156a+
- 186b
- 146b+
- 136c
- 66c+
- 47a
- 47a+
- 27b
- 17c
Getting to the Viaduc des Fauvettes
One of the few outdoor crags you can reach by RER from Paris.
Car-free access to Le Viaduc des Fauvettes
- Train (RER B) to Bures-sur-Yvette, then 15 min by bike (2.2 km, 70 m up) or about 40 min on foot.
- You can leave your bike at the viaduct and walk down to the routes.
Detailed route, profile and GPX track on Vélogrimpe.fr
By car
30 minutesFAQ: climbing at the Viaduc des Fauvettes
How long are the routes at the Viaduc des Fauvettes?
Routes are 7 to 36 metres long depending on the pillar or buttress. Each route's length is given in the guidebook: check it before choosing your rope.
How do I get to the Viaduc des Fauvettes by public transport?
Take the RER B to Bures-sur-Yvette, then allow about 15 minutes by bike or 40 minutes on foot to the viaduct. You can leave your bike up at the viaduct and walk down to the routes.
When is the best time to climb at the Viaduc des Fauvettes?
The crag can be climbed almost all year. In summer the woods and arches stay cool; in winter, aim for a dry, sunny day.
Is the Viaduc des Fauvettes suitable for beginners?
Most routes are in the 5th and 6th grades (108 of 127). Beginners will find a few easy routes, but the viaduct is best suited to climbers who already lead independently.
Where is the Le Viaduc des Fauvettes climbing site located?
The Le Viaduc des Fauvettes climbing site is located in Bures-sur-Yvette, in the Essonne department. You'll find detailed access, parking and the approach in the OneTopo guide.
How many climbing routes are there at Le Viaduc des Fauvettes?
The Le Viaduc des Fauvettes crag has 127 routes across 11 sectors, with their grades and names in the OneTopo guide.
How do I get the Le Viaduc des Fauvettes climbing topo?
The Le Viaduc des Fauvettes climbing guidebook is available in the OneTopo app for €9.99: routes, grades, access and practical info, kept up to date with local route setters. Most of that price goes to the people who bolt the crag, and you can log your sends there.