Lamargelle-aux-Bois combines specific visitor attractions with nature and history: the Charmettes arboretum is free to visit, and a 1 km circular route offers a clearly defined option for getting some exercise. At the same time, the Église Saint-Martin and the Lavoir tell of different building periods, while the natural cave is an ecological feature of the area. This means you can discover Lamargelle-aux-Bois through several themes without limiting your stay to a single attraction.
Nature between the arboretum and the cave
One of the two springs that feed the Tille de Villemervry is located in Lamargelle-aux-Bois. The natural cave is also part of the area's natural character: it is a wintering site for a colony of lesser and greater horseshoe bats. The area's natural features therefore include both plant life and a habitat for two bat species.
At the Charmettes arboretum, you can see around 400 species of trees and shrubs. On an area of 5,000 m², around 130 species of trees and shrubs that occur spontaneously in the region or within the Parc national de forêts also grow. These figures show two botanical perspectives: species that occur spontaneously in the region and the variety of trees and shrubs to see at the arboretum. Admission is free.
Circular route and hiking trail
The Circuit de découverte de Lamargelle-aux-Bois is a 1 km circular route with an elevation gain of 34 m. Its length makes it a short, clearly defined loop; the elevation figure adds another specific detail to the distance. The Le Vals des Tilles – PR N°42 hiking trail, which passes through Lamargelle-aux-Bois, offers a different way to get out and about. This gives you two distinct options: a circular route with a specified length and a hiking trail that passes through the village.
The village's architectural history
The Église Saint-Martin de Lamargelle-aux-Bois dates mainly from the late 19th century. Part of its 13th-century nave has been preserved. The church therefore brings together two periods: the time when most of the building was constructed and the older section that survives to this day.
The Lavoir de Lamargelle-aux-Bois was built in 1861 and has three washbasins carved from stone. Its construction date and basins give the washhouse a distinct place in the village's history. About 200 m outside the village, you can also see the Calvaire de la Voie du Mont, which was restored in 2018. Neolithic presence has also been reported in Lamargelle-aux-Bois. The area's historical timeframes therefore extend from this reported early presence to the dated buildings.
Discover the village on a walking tour
A walking tour of Lamargelle-aux-Bois is available through the free Id-Vizit app. If you would like to include a tour of the village alongside the arboretum, trails and buildings, the app offers a dedicated option. You can focus on the themes that interest you: a short circular route, the arboretum's trees and shrubs, the hiking route through the village or the history of individual buildings.
Discover more destinations: Auberive, Flagey, Thonnance Les Moulins, Droyes, Jagee, Vignes-La-Côté, Neuilly-l'Évêque, Leurville.
See the overview of the wider travel region: Haute-Marne.
