Vendeuvre-sur-Barse: Sainterie, Church and Natural Heritage

Vendeuvre-sur-Barse brings together artistic and industrial history, a natural heritage site and a named trail. Those looking for hotels in Vendeuvre-sur-Barse can tailor their stay to a range of interests: church art, the history of the Sainterie, the château and its park, a themed trail or the weekly market each offer a different focus.

Saint-Pierre Church and the history of the Sainterie

Saint-Pierre Church was built between 1502 and 1616, after the previous church was destroyed in the wars of the 15th century. Its artistic heritage includes stained-glass windows by Max Ingrand and a dozen statues from Vendeuvre’s Christian art workshop, the “Sainterie.” Other features include 16th-century paintings and sculptures, a pulpit from Clairvaux Abbey and an altar from 1649 attributed to François Girardon. The construction period and its furnishings give the church a rich artistic history.

The Sainterie can also be explored through several distinct periods. In 1844, Léon Moynet began making statues in a workshop on the western edge of Vendeuvre-sur-Barse, when the Sainterie was in its early stages. From 1860, Moynet developed a large industrial complex with a large circular kiln and a steam engine for kneading clay. The workshop in Vendeuvre-sur-Barse and the industrial complex developed from 1860 mark different stages in the history of the Sainterie. The Mélusine heritage trail also includes a panel entitled “Sainterie.”

Château, park and the source of the Barse

The Château de Vendeuvre-sur-Barse has been protected as a historic monument since 1981. Its entrance façade features a design characteristic of the era of Louis XIII. The Parc du Château de Vendeuvre-sur-Barse is a landscaped public green space. Beneath the château lies the source of the Barse, also known as the Source Mélusine. It is a natural heritage site in Vendeuvre-sur-Barse and is open to the public; check local access conditions before your visit.

Another record of local everyday history is the Lavoir du Dailly, a former open-air washhouse. It is located in the lower section, to the right of the Grande Rue. Details of the château façade, green space, spring and washhouse offer different perspectives on the architecture, landscape and former uses of the area, although they do not serve the same historical or practical purpose.

Plan your route, market visit and arrival

The Melusine Trail is 2.5 kilometres long, with an estimated duration of about 1.5 hours. Markings may change, so it is advisable to check the route before setting out. The weekly market takes place every Wednesday morning on Place du 8 Mai. It offers fruit, vegetables, cheese, fish and rotisserie dishes. The trail and market require different planning: the trail has an approximate duration, while the market is held on a specific weekday morning. Check the current market day and range of goods before travelling.

Vendeuvre-sur-Barse has an SNCF railway station on the Paris–Basel line. If you are considering travelling by train, check the timetable for your travel date. The town’s history, market and trail offer different reasons to visit, which you can take into account when choosing your stay in Vendeuvre-sur-Barse.

Discover more destinations: Bar-Sur-Aube, Bagneux-La-Fosse, Avirey-Lingey, Saint-Parres-aux-Tertres, Montigny-Les-Monts, Sainte-Maure, Montiéramey, Fontette.

For the broader travel overview: Aube.