At Église Saint Georges in Orconte, construction phases from the 12th and 13th centuries are still discernible. A cemetery cross carries on the motif of Saint George, while Château du Plessis is associated with a precisely dated episode involving Napoleon. Orconte is also one of the municipalities in the Ramsar site “Étangs de la Champagne humide”, and Véloroute 53 passes through the village on the way to Lac du Der. Orconte can thus be understood through its cultural history, connection to the landscape and cycling route.

A church with several construction phases

Dedicated to Saint George, Église Saint Georges dates from the 13th century. Elements from the phase when it was a single-nave church in the 12th century have also been preserved on its north wall and façade. The façade portal is framed by decorated columns. To understand the building’s chronology, it is useful to distinguish the church’s century from its earlier construction phase. This makes it possible to understand the building without relying on just one date.

The tympanum adds another layer: a sculpture of Saint George slaying the dragon was installed there in the early 16th century. The church thus brings together the older portal design and a later-added work of art. Those interested in church art can view the 12th-century construction phase, the 13th-century church and the early 16th-century sculpture as a chronological sequence.

Saint George on the cemetery cross

A 16th-century cemetery cross in Orconte depicts Saint George fighting the dragon. The motif appears on two different works: as a sculpture on the tympanum and as an image on the cross. Comparing them links the church art with a separate monument and makes the recurring figure a common thread. The two depictions nevertheless remain distinct in date and in the objects on which they appear.

Château du Plessis and Napoleon

Château du Plessis dates from 1180. On 22 March 1814, Napoleon stayed there overnight and signed a decree that same day concerning the cleanliness of the market halls and grain markets. The year 1180 dates the château; 22 March 1814 marks a later, precisely dated episode. The decree’s subject went beyond Napoleon’s stay: it concerned market halls and grain markets. The château’s history thus complements the church’s architecture and art with a historical act whose subject is clearly specified.

Ramsar site and Véloroute 53

Orconte is one of the municipalities included in the Ramsar site “Étangs de la Champagne humide”. This connection to the site adds a landscape perspective to the cultural focus.

For cyclists, Véloroute 53 places Orconte on a longer route. The route begins in Vitry-le-François and follows the canal between Champagne and Burgundy to Langres in the south of Haute-Marne. Its first stage leads to Saint-Dizier; via Orconte, cyclists can continue to Lac du Der. This identifies different points for planning: Saint-Dizier is the destination of the first stage, while Orconte is associated with continuing on to the lake. If you are planning to ride the route, check the current route and conditions before setting out, as they may change.

Discover more destinations: Cumières, Bourg-Sainte-Marie, Grauves, Chantemerle, Pierry, Sept-Saulx, Chigny-Les-Roses, Villeneuve-la-Lionne

For the broader travel overview: Marne.