Discover Joinville along its quays and through the very different traces of its history. The Circuit de découverte du patrimoine follows the quays past the town’s main sights, giving your walk a clear thematic thread. The town also offers a history of nobility, collections and garden design. This gives you the chance to choose a cultural focus for your stay in Joinville, rather than viewing the sights as a list of separate names.
Along the quays and through the town’s history
The Quais des Maille and des Peceaux are known as “la petite Venise” (Little Venice). Their name is one of the distinctive features that shape a walk through Joinville. Those interested in the town’s history can also visit the Auditoire de justice, a former seigneurial court that tells the story of the lords of Joinville. Its former function and its historical interpretation are intertwined here.
The Auditoire de Joinville presents historical reconstructions featuring 80 life-size, costumed figures. Another collection can be seen at the Apothicairerie: it includes more than 230 jars and pieces of equipment from the former Sainte-Croix hospital pharmacy. These two subjects offer different ways to explore the past, from reconstructed historical scenes to objects from a former pharmacy.
Château du Grand Jardin: History and Garden Styles
Claude de Lorraine, the first Duke of Guise, had the Château du Grand Jardin built between 1533 and 1546. The gardens have been awarded the “Jardin remarquable” designation. The grounds combine a formal garden in the Renaissance and Classical styles with a romantic park. This contrast makes the gardens a cultural highlight in their own right: two distinct garden styles meet here, while the château itself offers a glimpse into the history of the 16th century.
When choosing what to do, you can decide whether you are more interested in the architecture of the nobility, historical collections or garden design. Joinville offers a variety of themes, each presented in its own way: a former court, reconstructed scenes, objects from a historical pharmacy and gardens with formal and romantic areas.
Architecture, Religious Heritage and Activities
Individual buildings also offer a range of distinctive features. The Pont du Poncelot dates from the 16th century. The Chapelle Saint-Anne has remarkable stained-glass windows and is designed in the Flamboyant Gothic style. The Église Notre-Dame houses the ceinture de Saint-Joseph relic. These features offer specific points of interest if you are interested in architecture or religious heritage.
The Couvent des Annonciades was rebuilt from 1760 onwards. Its Classical architectural features include a monumental staircase and a refectory. If you are planning a visit to the Couvent, please check access in advance. Several cast-iron statues in the Parc du Petit Bois recall Joinville’s outstanding tradition of artistic iron casting, offering another perspective on local history.
For a different kind of activity, Les Canoës du bonheur offers seasonal canoe trips on the Marne in Joinville. This gives you the option of an activity on the river alongside cultural and architectural attractions. Since the service is seasonal, it is advisable to check the dates before making plans. Which of these options you focus on depends on whether you are more interested in gardens, historical collections, architecture or a canoe trip. These themes can also help you choose a hotel in Joinville that suits your cultural stay.
Discover more destinations: Aprey, Chaumont, Vaux-Sous-Aubigny, Wassy, Millières, Auberive, Thonnance-lès-Joinville, Éclaron-Braucourt-Sainte-Livière.
For the wider travel overview: Haute-Marne.
