Crèvecoeur-En-Brie: Forest Trails and Local History

In Crèvecoeur-En-Brie, forest trails and local history offer two different starting points for planning a trip. The routes described pass through the Forest of Crécy; the historical information spans the early settlement to the present-day château. This can help you decide whether you would like to focus on a hiking route, the town’s development, or both during your stay.

Distinguishing between the forest trail and the circular route

The “Boucle en forêt de Crécy” route crosses the forest for 2.5 kilometres before reaching Crèvecoeur-En-Brie. This distance refers to that stretch through the forest. The 15.5-kilometre “Sur les traces de Philippe de Valois” circular route covers a different distance: it runs through the Forest of Crécy between Crèvecoeur-En-Brie and Mortcerf. The two figures therefore should not be read as the total lengths of two comparable trails.

The circular route starts at the Place Saint-Jean car park in Crèvecoeur-En-Brie. It initially follows the GR1 and later the GR14 to Mortcerf. This gives the starting point, route and destination, while the 2.5-kilometre figure describes the forest stretch of the other route. When comparing routes for your stay, note the difference between a forest section and the stated total length of a circular route. The route sheet for the circular route is dated March 2011; check trail conditions and markings locally before setting out.

Local history from the fort to the château

The town’s history begins with a small defensive fort, around which a few houses clustered from the 11th century onward. A chapel associated with Crèvecoeur-En-Brie is said to have been built in 1226. In old parish registers, the church is referred to as “CREPICORDIUM”. These details point to different historical references: the early settlement around the fort, the traditional date of the chapel, and the name under which the church appears in the registers.

The châteaux are also part of the local history, though they date from different periods and are in different locations. The Château de Crèvecoeur-En-Brie served as a summer residence for French kings in the 13th and 14th centuries. The present-day château in the centre of town was built in 1897 on the ruins of the earlier château. Its historical use as a summer residence and the present-day building are therefore distinct chapters in this history. A second château is located at the place called Beauregard, near the farm of the same name. These location details add another point of reference to the history of the town centre.

Plan your journey and stay

Bus route 309 connects Marles, Crèvecoeur-En-Brie, La Houssaye and Tournan. As timetables can change, check the connection before travelling. When choosing where to stay, use the topics mentioned as a guide: the 2.5-kilometre forest stretch, the 15.5-kilometre circular route, or the town’s historical landmarks.

Discover more destinations: Meaux, Tousson, Cesson, Le Mesnil-Amelot, Lizy-Sur-Ourcq, Mouroux, Paley, Villevaudé.

For the wider travel overview: Seine-Et-Marne.