In Haute-Amance, cultural themes range from church architecture and historic fountains to the history of Fort de Montlandon. Le Val de Presles adds a distinctive natural highlight with a wetland covering more than 20 hectares. This gives you a clear choice of focus when planning your trip: architectural history, nature or the history of the Langres defensive system. A visit to the fort is possible by prior arrangement.
Churches and architectural history
The Church of Saint-Didier de Hortes was rebuilt between 1777 and 1784 and extended in 1832. Its nave is divided into five aisles and comprises five bays; it also has a projecting transept. Aisles are the lengthwise sections of a church interior, while bays are its divisions along its length. The two references to five therefore describe different features of the building. Together with the transept, they give a concrete sense of the church’s layout.
The large organ also has a distinctive story: a few volunteers designed and built it entirely themselves. Arts et Loisirs en Haute-Amance holds a concert centred on the organ every year. If the concert is important to your trip planning, check the date in advance.
The Chapel of Saint-Didier de Hortes takes you back to an earlier era: it dates from the late 16th century. Its painted and gilded wooden altarpiece, by contrast, dates from the late 18th century. Different periods therefore meet at the chapel. Compared with the rebuilding of the Church of Saint-Didier de Hortes at the end of the 18th century, the chapel’s history goes further back, while the altarpiece belongs to a later period.
The Fontaine Virey de Hortes adds a feature dating from 1841 to these architectural themes. The fountain is circular in plan and has a semicircular basin; its design recalls ancient architecture. The buildings thus highlight different forms and historical periods: the layout of the church, the chapel’s furnishings and the design of the fountain.
Le Val de Presles: wetland and wildlife
Le Val de Presles is a wetland covering more than 20 hectares within the commune of Haute-Amance. Species found there include the black stork and the white-throated dipper, the lesser horseshoe bat and the common pipistrelle, as well as the yellow-bellied toad. The animals mentioned therefore represent several groups: birds, bats and amphibians. For nature enthusiasts, the wetland offers a different focus from the buildings and their history.
The size of the area and the specific species named make Le Val de Presles a distinct natural attraction to consider when planning your trip. Those primarily interested in architecture can focus on the church, chapel and fountain; those wishing to put wetlands and their wildlife at the centre of their visit will find a clearly defined focus here. These are different interests, not an indication of a particular route between the places.
Fort de Montlandon and a culinary connection
Fort de Montlandon was the last fort to be built as part of the Langres defensive system. Its historical context adds military history to the themes of church architecture and nature. A visit is possible by prior arrangement. So enquire in advance if you would like to include the fort in your plans, rather than assuming it is freely accessible.
Fort Fermier also gives Fort de Montlandon a culinary connection: vegetables and poultry produced on site, as well as farm-style meals, are offered. As this offer may change, it is advisable to confirm availability before your visit. When choosing a holiday rental in Haute-Amance, you can first consider which theme you would like your stay to centre on. The concert date and an enquiry about visiting the fort are specific details you can check in advance.
Discover more destinations: Leurville, Saints-Geosmes, Lamargelle-Aux-Bois, Peigney, Droyes, Maranville, Piépape, Montsaugeon.
For the wider travel overview: Haute-Marne.
