Saint-Thibault: Church, Local History and Walking Trail

Saint-Thibault is a destination for travellers interested in local history and the countryside. The Eglise Saint-Thibault brings together historical and artistic points of interest; Le Chemin des écoliers also offers a clearly described walking trail.

Countryside and location

Saint-Thibault lies on a fertile plain on the banks of the Hozain, a tributary of the Seine. The village has retained its green, agricultural character. Its riverside location gives the destination a scenic dimension alongside its historical themes.

Church and local history

Sixteen protected objects are listed for the Eglise Saint-Thibault. Its portal has been listed in the register of historic monuments since 28 July 1928. The church was formerly a subsidiary church of Isle-Aumont. Its former ecclesiastical role and its monument listing describe different aspects: the listing specifically concerns the portal. Inside is a stone statue of a Christ de pitié, which retains traces of polychromy. Polychromy refers to the use of multiple colours in a work of art. The equestrian depiction of Saint Thibault with a greyhound and a falcon also dates from the 16th century. The portal is the entrance area of the church.

Saint-Thibault was first mentioned in 1097, when the village was called Sanctus Theobaldus. The dates therefore span the first mention of the village, the 16th-century equestrian depiction and the portal’s listing in 1928.

Cultural event

The Rencontres Théobaldiennes also celebrate Saint-Thibault’s heritage. They are held each year in a different town to preserve this heritage and open the community to European culture. As the venue changes, check the town and dates for the relevant edition before travelling. When planning a trip to this event, it is therefore the specific edition that matters, not just its annual recurrence.

The area around the church is also worth noting: the former cemetery surrounding the Eglise Saint-Thibault has since been replaced by a car park.

Le Chemin des écoliers

Le Chemin des écoliers is a 10.3-kilometre circular walking trail. The municipalities of Isle-Aumont, Les Bordes-Aumont and Saint-Thibault offer it as a family-friendly walk. The route initially follows the Hozain and then leads to Saint-Thibault; it also connects Saint-Thibault and Isle-Aumont. Being a circular route and connecting two places are different characteristics of the same trail: one describes its shape, the other the municipalities it links. Together with the 10.3-kilometre distance, this provides useful guidance for planning your trip.

Discover more destinations: Voves, Courceroy, Rilly-Sainte-Syre, Maisons-Lès-Chaource, Baroville, Soulaines-Dhuys, Arsonval, Saint-Mards-En-Othe

For the main travel overview: Aube.