Rilly-Sainte-Syre offers several distinct points of interest for a stay: the architectural history of the Église Saint-Savinien, the tradition surrounding Sainte Syre, and trails for walking or cycling. The marked Balade en Vallée de Seine connects Saint-Mesmin and Rilly-Sainte-Syre; the V33 – Voie verte du canal de la Haute-Seine passes through the village. You can choose whether to focus your stay on local history, walking or cycling.
Church history and religious tradition
Work on the Église Saint-Savinien began at the end of the 12th century. It was restored after the Hundred Years’ War and completed at the beginning of the 16th century. Its construction therefore comprises several distinct phases: the medieval beginnings, restoration after the war and the later completion. If you are interested in local history, you can consider these phases in sequence rather than assigning the church to a single century. The restoration marks a distinct phase between the start of construction and its completion.
The local cult of Sainte Syre is documented from the 14th century. According to tradition, Sainte Syre had a chapel built at the burial place of Saint Savinien. This brings together two different historical perspectives: the church’s development, placed within a chronological framework, and a religious story linked to Sainte Syre and the burial place. The story of the chapel remains a tradition, not an additional dated phase of construction.
The archaeological heritage of Les Hardillères
The Site archéologique des Hardillères offers another historical perspective. A decree dated 10 October 1995 designated it as a protected monument. It includes archaeological remains preserved underground. This makes it a different form of cultural heritage from the architectural history of the Église Saint-Savinien: at Les Hardillères, the focus is on archaeological remains and their protected status, while the church is notable for its datable construction phases. If you are interested in the history of the area, you can view these as distinct ways of exploring the past.
Exploring on foot or by bike
The V33 – Voie verte du canal de la Haute-Seine passes through Rilly-Sainte-Syre and is accessible on foot and by bike. As access conditions may change under route management, check the current status before setting out.
The marked hiking route Balade en Vallée de Seine connects Saint-Mesmin and Rilly-Sainte-Syre. It offers two circular routes: one covering 6 km and the other 12 km. Check the signs on site before setting off. The shorter option gives you a set distance, while the longer one is twice as long at 12 km.
The routes involve different planning considerations: the V33 is designated for use on foot and by bike, while the Balade offers a choice of two circular route lengths. If you are planning a hike, you can choose between 6 and 12 km. For a bike ride, the V33 is the route that passes through the village. This distinction can help you choose the focus of your stay without treating the two routes as a single continuous route.
Discover more destinations: Merrey-Sur-Arce, Dierrey-Saint-Julien, Montgueux, Vendeuvre-Sur-Barse, Maisons-Lès-Chaource, Bouilly, Mesnil-Saint-Père, Arcis-Sur-Aube.
Go to the broader travel guide: Aube.
