Pont-Sainte-Marie offers several ways to enjoy a stay: a large green space with an educational trail, a 16th-century building and cultural activities. There is also a quiz walk and a canoe and kayak treasure hunt on the Seine. When planning your visit, the main question is whether you want to focus on nature, architectural history or events.
Green space and educational trail at Parc Lebocey
Parc Lebocey is a 14-hectare green space in the heart of Pont-Sainte-Marie. Its grounds include wooded areas, a meadow and a pond. The park thus brings together several distinct landscape features within a single site—a tangible connection with nature that sets it apart from the town’s cultural offerings.
This focus is particularly clear on the 1.5-kilometre educational trail. Its 25 explanatory panels cover tree species, their origins and their uses. The trail connects the park landscape with a thematic approach: the focus is not only on trees as part of the surroundings, but also on questions of species, origin and use. If these topics interest you, the trail offers a clear focus within Parc Lebocey.
Gothic and Renaissance styles at Église Notre-Dame de l’Assomption
The listed Église Notre-Dame de l’Assomption dates from the 16th century. Its architecture is predominantly Gothic, with a slight Renaissance influence from the final years of construction. The two styles are therefore not equally prominent: Gothic defines the overall impression, while Renaissance elements were added later.
You can explore the church independently using a smartphone and QR codes. This adds a digital interpretation to the architectural experience and makes a visit to the church a different way of engaging with the area than the park’s educational trail: here the focus is on architectural history and design, while the trail explores tree species and their uses.
Cinema and exhibitions
Cinéma UTOPIA opened in late December 2022; it was the first eco-cinema to open in France. Its opening marks a distinct cultural milestone in Pont-Sainte-Marie. If you are planning to go to the cinema, check the current programme and visitor information.
The exhibitions also focus on different times of the year. “Talents Pontois” is scheduled each year for January and February at the Salle des Fêtes; dates may vary from one edition to the next. The contemporary art exhibition “Mosaïques” is scheduled every two years for October at the Salle des Fêtes, though the exact dates may also vary. The events therefore differ in both frequency and the time of year they are scheduled: Talents Pontois returns annually in January and February, while Mosaïques takes place every two years in October. If an exhibition affects your travel plans, check the dates for the relevant edition in advance.
A walk and an activity on the Seine
A walk in Pont-Sainte-Marie can be accompanied by a quiz on cultural heritage, anecdotes and history. Unlike the educational trail at Parc Lebocey, this activity focuses on culture and history. When planning, you can choose according to your interests: tree-related topics in the park or questions about cultural heritage on the walk.
Another option is the canoe and kayak treasure hunt on the Seine. The take-out point is at the church in Pont-Sainte-Marie. This gives the activity a specific point of reference without conflating it with the walk or a visit to the church: it is a separate activity on the water. As the organisation of the activity may change, check the latest information before making plans.
Discover more destinations: Bessy, Voué, Créney-Près-Troyes, Celles-Sur-Ource, Saint-Mards-En-Othe, Brienne-Le-Château, Cormost, Chamoy.
For the broader travel overview: Aube.
