Two hikes connected with Le Breuil offer different time commitments: a short loop and a longer route described as very easy. There are also paths along the Surmelin, meadows and views of the village and valley. With its architecture and furnishings, the Église Saint-Martin adds a distinct cultural and historical dimension.
Hikes with different time commitments
The Vallée du Surmelin hiking network connects Montmort-Lucy with Le Breuil on the Marne side and continues from Le Breuil to Mézy-Moulins on the Aisne side. The individual “La Fontaine Noire” loop between Baulne-en-Brie and Le Breuil is a separate route: it is 6.82 kilometres long, takes about two hours and five minutes, and is one of the eleven short circular trails in the Vallée du Surmelin.
The “Balade sur les chemins du Breuil” hike starts at Place Bastidon. It first follows Chemin de la Prairie alongside the Surmelin and through meadows. The route is 9.2 kilometres long, takes about three hours and is described as very easy. Compared with the “La Fontaine Noire” loop, it is just over two kilometres longer and takes about an hour more. This lets you choose between a shorter and a longer hiking window when planning your day.
Scenery along the Surmelin
Both hikes take in the scenery along the Surmelin, but in different ways. “La Fontaine Noire” follows the river through meadows; there is a shaded picnic table along the route. The “Balade sur les chemins du Breuil” also starts beside the Surmelin, among meadows, and also offers views of Le Breuil and the Surmelin Valley. You can therefore distinguish between the routes not only by walking time but also by their landscape features: one has a rest stop along the way, while the other offers views of the village and valley.
Architecture and furnishings of the Église Saint-Martin
The Église Saint-Martin du Breuil has partly Romanesque and Gothic features; its tall square tower has a slate roof. Inside, the furnishings include 16th-century stained-glass windows, a pulpit in the Louis XV style and four paintings. The backs of the choir stalls bear carved portraits from the early Renaissance. A decree dated 10 January 1986 placed the church under heritage protection. To understand the church, it is worth distinguishing its structure from its furnishings: the Romanesque and Gothic character and the tower describe the building, while the windows, pulpit, paintings and choir stalls provide specific art-historical details.
A visit to Champagne Moutardier
The Champagne Moutardier winery in Le Breuil welcomes visitors from Monday to Friday; weekend visits are possible by appointment. If you are planning a weekend visit, arrange a time in advance.
Discover more destinations: Isle-Sur-Marne, Gravelines, Saint-Imoges, Bignicourt-sur-Saulx, Écollemont, Tours-Sur-Marne, Mondement-Montgivroux, Courcelles-Sapicourt.
For the regional travel overview: Marne.
