Discover Vernou-La-Celle-Sur-Seine

A stay in Vernou-La-Celle-Sur-Seine offers clear points of interest centered on nature, trails, and cultural history. The Tuf de la Celle rises more than 20 meters above the Seine and forms a sensitive natural area that is open to the public. Visitors can follow a 100-meter circular trail there. The Tuf is therefore both a distinctive landscape feature and a compact introduction to the area's geology.

Nature and Geological History

On an educational walk at the Tuf de la Celle, rocks and geological deposits provide a starting point for looking back into the past. They offer insights into the fauna and flora of 400,000 years ago and the settlement of the area by Homo heidelbergensis. The walk thus connects natural and geological history with a specific archaeological subject. If you are interested in early life forms and the geological development of a landscape, this site offers a distinctive point of interest.

Trails and Landscape

The “Autour du Mont Vernou-La Celle” circular trail offers a different perspective. It is an officially marked route, indicated in yellow by CODERANDO77. The path alternates between woodland and fields; it leads to the commune's various hamlets and into the valley of the ru Flavien. The trails therefore offer different points of interest: at the Tuf, the focus is on the natural area and geological history, while the other circular trail links varied landscapes, hamlets, and the valley. If you plan to walk this route, check trail conditions before setting out.

Architectural and Local History

The first fortress on the grounds of the Domaine du château de Graville was built around 1235. Construction of a new château began there in 1580. The information points to two building phases: the earlier fortress and the later château. This sequence offers insight into the site's history; the first date remains an approximate date, while the start of the château's construction is given as 1580.

The area's religious history can also be explored through specific objects. The church of Vernou preserves relics of Saint Fortuné, including relics of his head. The church of Saint-Fortunat houses a polychrome wooden reliquary bust depicting Saint Fortuné, dating from the 17th century. The church of La Celle-sur-Seine contains a cross depicting Christ on the cross, dating from the 14th century. The relics, bust, and cross offer different insights into the area's religious history; the dates of the two works of art also allow for comparison across time.

In the Vallée des Moulins, the use of water tells another part of the area's history. The water of the ru Flavien powered the mills; a plan from 1785 shows seven mills. They remained in operation until the end of the 19th century or the beginning of the 20th century. The number shown on the plan offers a specific glimpse of the mills at a particular point in history, while the period of their use places their later operating phase in context. The mills thus complement the architectural and church history with the story of water power and work.

Discover more destinations: Égreville, Samois-Sur-Seine, Orly-Sur-Morin, Penchard, Grez-sur-Loing, Marolles-sur-Seine, Saint-Mesmes, Choisy-en-Brie.

For the full travel guide: Seine-Et-Marne.