In Chevillon, things to discover range from early settlement traces to a 20th-century chapel. There is also a medieval hunting lodge, a garden with a variety of plantings and a circular route. You can focus your trip on local history, garden culture or outdoor activities.

Archaeological Traces and the Chapelle de Saint-Vinebault

At La Landre, the remains of a camp lie on a rocky spur. The site has been inhabited since the end of the Neolithic period, more than 5,000 years ago. Its position on the rocky spur and its long history of settlement make this site a chapter of its own in Chevillon's past.

Near the hamlet of La Landre are also the remains of a Roman villa covering several hectares. It dates from the time of the Roman conquest of Gaul, associated with the year 52 BC. Taken together, these Roman traces are clearly distinct from the much earlier history of the camp site.

There are also prehistoric remains in the Bois de la Bouloire: megaliths that may be the remains of a former dolmen. The cautious classification is important: the site is described as a possible dolmen site, not as a confirmed dolmen.

Another point of reference in time is the Chapelle de Saint-Vinebault. It is in Chevillon; its site was formerly part of the commune of Brueil-sur-Marne. Designed by architect Georges Parisot, the chapel was completed in 1960 to replace an older church. Since 2015, it has held the “Architecture contemporaine remarquable” designation. It thus adds an example of contemporary architecture to the archaeological traces.

Château Jaune and the Gardens of Château de Chevillon

Château Jaune dates from the Middle Ages and served as a hunting lodge for the Lords of Joinville. Today it is a media library. If you are considering a visit, check current visiting arrangements in advance. Its former function as a hunting lodge and its current use offer two different points of reference for understanding the building's history.

At Château de Chevillon, the focus is on garden design. The enclosed medieval garden lies at the foot of the manor house and contains more than 50 plant species. These include medicinal and aromatic plants, vegetable plots and an orchard. There are also nine flower beds planted with hydrangeas, as well as a cloister made of local wood, iron and stone. The mix of useful plants, an orchard and ornamental beds describes a garden with a range of features; the cloister adds its own architectural design.

Circular Route, Streamside Path and Cheese

For an activity with a clearly specified distance, consider the circular route “Les chemins des carriers – PR N°40.” It is 12 kilometres long and starts and ends in Chevillon. The route is rated easy for both hiking and mountain biking. This lets you choose between two ways to explore without assuming a walking or cycling time.

There is also a footpath alongside the stream near Château de Chevillon. It is another option for a walk in the area; no distance or duration is specified.

Chevillon cheese is also a local discovery. It is a very creamy soft cheese with a white-mould rind and can be sampled at the cheese dairy shop. It adds a culinary focus to a trip that also features architecture, archaeology and gardens. You can plan your days around your interests, with a choice of topics: the long history of settlement at La Landre, the architectural history of the châteaux and chapel, the garden's plants, or a circular route on foot or by mountain bike.

Discover more destinations: Haute-Amance, Praslay, Ceffonds, Goncourt, Prauthoy, Laferté-Sur-Amance, Vignes-La-Côté, Verseilles-le-Bas

See the overview of the wider region: Haute-Marne.