Discover Contre: countryside and church art

A trip to Contre can be explored through two distinct themes: the landscape of the Vallée des Parquets and the artworks in the church. The “La vallée des Parquets” circular trail adds a river, ponds and woodland to the landscape experience. If you are looking for a hotel for a trip to Contre, these different themes can help you decide what kind of stay you are looking for.

Landscape and the Vallée des Parquets

The Vallée des Parquets is 8 kilometres long and, at 150 metres, has the greatest change in elevation among the valleys mentioned. Length and elevation change describe different aspects of the landscape: the first figure indicates the extent of the valley, while the second describes its relief. If you are planning a trip that involves landscapes and walking routes, these are two concrete points of reference that can usefully be considered together.

Contre lies within the designated exemplary landscape area “Vallées des Evoisons, de la Poix et des Parquets”. The area’s name refers to three valleys, whereas the specific figures for length and elevation change relate to the Vallée des Parquets. This allows you to distinguish the broader landscape context from the features of one particular valley. The area designation describes the landscape setting, while the figures provide more detail about the Vallée des Parquets.

The trail and its waypoints

The “La vallée des Parquets” circular trail starts at the Place de la mairie in Contre and passes through the Bois des Alleux. The route follows the river, ponds and woodland before returning to its starting point. The circuit thus links a named start and end point with several landscape features.

In Brassy, it is also possible to return to Contre. This is a different point of reference from returning to the starting point: on the circuit, the route leads back to the start, whereas in Brassy a return to Contre is possible. The route described therefore includes both the circuit and this additional option for returning.

Historic buildings are also waypoints along the route. In Courcelles-sous-Thoix, the trail passes a 17th-century château; it also passes a 19th-century chapel near the cemetery. The route thus combines natural features such as the river, ponds and woodland with buildings from different centuries.

Church and art

Inside the church in Contre, the sculptural group “Saint Cyr et sainte Julitte” is located to the right in the choir. The church’s Mise au tombeau is carved from a single stone. These are two distinct points of interest: a group with a named title, and a Deposition sculpture with a specific material feature.

A. Goze dates the Mise au tombeau to 1484. Together with the description of it as a work carved from a single stone, the date provides another point of reference. The two artworks offer different perspectives: the group’s title refers to Cyr and Julitta, while the Mise au tombeau is described by its subject, material and the date given by A. Goze.

Discover more destinations: Bernay-en-Ponthieu, Cramont, Sentelie, Carnoy, Machy, Feuquières-En-Vimeu, Oust-Marest, Boubert.

For the broader travel overview: Somme.