OLD COVERED MARKETS

Fère-en-Tardenois

Used for wheat storage during the XVI° century, it is built on stone and wood pillars, with a framework made of chestnut-tree timber. It was marked for demolition at the end of the XIX° century, but was saved by a generous benefactor, Etienne Moreau-Nelaton, who bought the granary, the lower structure belonging to the city. It was used as a temporary hospital during the First World War. Nowadays, it houses the town market each wednesday morning.

Marigny-en-Orxois. XVII° century covered market, framework of oak, former townhall on the first floor. It houses a monthly rural market. Condé-en-Brie. Located in city centre, the covered market was built by Marie de Luxembourg, grand-mother of the Prince of Condé and the Duke of Guise. Rural market during the summer season.

Marigny-en-Orxois

SIGHTSEEING IN TOWN CENTRES

Château-Thierry for additional informations, click on the picture

Main elements related to the history of Château-Thierry : the Marne river and the hill where its castle stands. Noticeable above the city roofs, the steeple of Saint-Crépin church, the belfry of Balhan Tower, the slated roof of City Hall ... Many monuments will catch your interest, Saint-Peter's gate, Eastern Ramparts, Jean de La Fontaine Statue and the city flower gardens, which won a "Three Flowers" award.

A Benedictin Abbey used to stand in the old town. It was completely destroyed, its name only is now remembered. The banks of the river Dolloir are a place of inspiration for the nature painters. Also worth seeing the "Ozanne" bridge, also named "pont aux Anes" (donkey bridge), last remnants of an antique bridge. Walking along the pedestrian street enables you to better appreciate the originality of the town. The steeple and the north gate of the present church, "Saint-Martin d'en Haut", show the mark of the Renaissance Period.

Chézy-sur-Marne

La Ferté-Milon for additional informations : Tourist Office

On the banks of the river Ourcq and its canal, the town centre offers the Mail promenade, with access by a metal bridge built by Gustave Eiffel. On each side of this bridge and of the lower part of the old fortified walls, the gardens of the Sconin family estate, forefathers of Jean Racine, can be seen, as well as those of Hericart estate, where Jean de La Fontaine was married. The old houses, the old streets, all this reminds us that this town inspired many painters, such as Corot and his disciple : Eugène Lavielle.

Rows of houses built alongside a hill are typical of this village, with its church and its steeple standing on top of the hill. In the village centre is a famous sculpture, honoring Léon Lhermitte, XIX° century painter, born there in 1868. His drawings and paintings are a testimony to the spirit of the rural and hardworking people he grew up among. Facing Mont-Saint-Père stands the "Rû Chailly" farm in Fossoy. It was a place of inspiration for the painter, and is visible on a famous painting "the Pay of the harvesters", now displayed at the Orsay Museum in Paris The Jean de La Fontaine Museum displays a remarkable painting by the artist : "Death and the woodcutter".

Léon Lhermitte monument

VARIOUS ITINERARIES

Will take you in and around our villages, valleys and beautiful landscapes, enabling you to discover many architectural details of various monuments and buildings. Itineraries available at Tourist Offices of Château-Thierry district.