Guérard: Heritage, winemaking and the Grand Morin

In Guérard, Gothic heritage, winemaking history and activities on the Grand Morin offer different ways to shape a stay. The following highlights provide some specific ideas without requiring you to focus on just one theme.

Heritage in the church and local history

The Church of Saint-Georges is one of the largest rural Gothic churches in the Seine-et-Marne department. It was built in the early 13th century. Above the entrance portal is the oil painting “Martyre de saint Georges” (The Martyrdom of Saint George). The building thus brings together a long history of construction and a specifically named work of art.

Another trace of local history is the Terrée de Guérard: a rare surviving earthwork fortification that connects to the former gate of Provins. It is about 4.5 metres high and approximately 6 metres wide. These measurements help convey its shape and scale; its historical connection to the former gate also makes it a different kind of historical evidence from the church.

The Guérard phylloxera plaque is visible on the façade of the town hall. A copy is at its original location in Monthérand. Other visible traces are also part of the rural heritage: more than ten washhouses, or their remains, can be seen in Guérard. A walk along the old fountains offers one way to rediscover this heritage.

Five historic crosses are visible today. These include the Croix de Verre, the only one of the crosses that still bears a carved figure of Christ. Together with the fountains and washhouses, it broadens the view beyond the church’s architectural history to include other forms of local heritage.

Winemaking history and local produce

In the 19th century, vineyards covered 400 hectares of Guérard’s hillsides. After the vineyards disappeared as a result of phylloxera, a wine enthusiast began reviving this heritage through biodynamic cultivation. The history of winemaking thus encompasses both its former extent and a contemporary effort to revive the tradition.

Vigne Envie’s Domaine viticole du Bois Brillant winery lies in a green hollow in the Grand Morin Valley and has nearly 10,000 vines. Vigne Envie organises vineyard tours, winemaking workshops and wine-themed events. Visitors can also take part in the grape harvest and pruning. If you would like to plan one of these activities, check the dates before your trip.

Guérard also offers products from local producers, including apple juice, cider, beef and wine with the IGP Île-de-France designation, available through short supply chains. If you have a particular purchase in mind, it is best to ask locally what is currently available.

A guided tour of the Maison de la Vigne et du Vin is associated with the address 30, rue de la Brosse, Le Charnoy, 77580 Guérard. Check before your trip whether a visit is possible on your chosen date.

On foot, by bike or on the water

The Grand Morin offers a peaceful canoe route through the Guérard Valley in idyllic surroundings. Local operating conditions may vary, so check in advance if you are planning a canoe trip. On land, Guérard has walking and cycling routes, including the “rando des vignes” (vineyard walk). As route conditions can change, it is a good idea to check the specific route before setting out.

A walk through Guérard’s historic, revitalised vineyard offers a taste of local history and the diversity of the terroir. The activities therefore have different focuses: the canoe route follows the valley along the Grand Morin, while the vineyard walk highlights winemaking history and terroir. Walking and cycling routes add to the options on land. You can tailor your stay to whether you are more interested in the area’s history, winemaking or outdoor activity.

Discover more destinations: La Madeleine-Sur-Loing, Bussy-Saint-Georges, Torcy, Chailly-en-Brie, Villeneuve-Saint-Denis, Collégien, Chamigny, Veneux-les-Sablons

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