Annet-sur-Marne offers a variety of reasons to visit, from landscapes shaped by nature to buildings with a long history. In the Forêt régionale des Vallières, birds and bats take centre stage; churches, châteaux, and the Pont sur la Marne tell stories of restoration, former fiefs, and reconstruction. Those interested in nature and heritage will find a range of topics here, each of which can be explored on its own.
Woodland and waterbirds
The Forêt régionale des Vallières lies between the Marne and farmland. Galleries from former gypsum quarries run beneath it. The landscape therefore brings together land in current use and traces of earlier gypsum extraction. Because of its ornithological importance, the entire woodland area is part of the «Les boucles de la Marne» Natura 2000 site under the Birds Directive. It also provides a refuge for numerous bat species.
Birds and bats lend the nature theme two distinct facets: the area’s ornithological importance is linked to its protected status, while its role as a refuge is highlighted for bats. The Plan d'eau de la boucle de Jablines area also includes the commune of Annet-sur-Marne. The waters of the Boucles de Jablines and de Trilbardou are important for numerous waterbirds. Unlike the description of Vallières, which includes bats as well as birds, this reference focuses specifically on waterbirds.
Church and historic buildings
The church of Annet-sur-Marne was rebuilt at the beginning of the 17th century and restored again in 1819. The restored church also contains an engraved stone. The building’s history and the stone are two distinct details: one tells the story of the church’s development, while the other is a single feature inside it.
The Château d'Etry was a former fief and was built in the 18th century by the architect PERRONET. Preserved features from that period include wood panelling, fireplace slabs, a wrought-iron balcony, and a freestanding dovecote. These examples encompass different parts of the fittings and building complex, from woodwork and fireplace slabs to the balcony and dovecote.
The Château de Sannois was once the manor house of one of the most important fiefs. It was rebuilt in the 19th century; possibly, only part of the original building remains. The farm buildings are accessed through a gateway with a dovecote. Compared with Etry, the focus here is on the history of the manor house and its entrance to the farm buildings; at Etry, several preserved features are identified.
Reconstruction on the Marne
The Pont sur la Marne was rebuilt after its destruction in the First World War and built again in 1949 following the last war. It spans the river with a single arch and was one of the first bridges to use prestressed concrete. Its history thus encompasses several construction phases; the single-arch design and early use of prestressed concrete also provide a specific technical dimension. Together with the historic buildings, the bridge broadens the picture of Annet-sur-Marne’s architectural history with a structure whose creation is closely linked to reconstruction.
Discover more destinations: Nonville, Valence-En-Brie, Varreddes, Saint-Mesmes, Baby, Noisiel, Pommeuse, Bailly-Romainvilliers
For the regional travel overview: Seine-Et-Marne.
