Aulnoy is located in the Brie des Morins. Churches, châteaux, wash houses and walking trails give the area distinct cultural, historical and landscape features. The natural surroundings are considered peaceful and conducive to relaxation. Visitors planning a stay can get to know Aulnoy through its architectural history, village monuments and paths through the municipality.
Churches and Architectural History
The church in Aulnoy was built in 1237; the baptismal font and columns also date from this period. Its vaults are more recent: they date from the 15th century and are decorated at their crowns with the coats of arms of noble families of the parish. Woodwork has also been preserved alongside the baptismal font. The church thus brings together architectural elements and decorative details from different eras. Notre-Dame de l’Assomption also dates from the 13th century and is listed in France’s general inventory of architectural monuments and artistic treasures.
Châteaux and Moats
The Château de La Houssière is also known as the Château d’Aulnoy. The estate includes a large park and an antique-style château with four towers and surrounding moats. At the Château du Ru, the building and landscape come together in a different way: it is named after the Ru Rognon, a tributary of the Grand Morin, and is surrounded by water-filled moats. The Château de Villers is also one of Aulnoy’s notable attractions. The different buildings offer a variety of ways to explore the area for visitors interested in architecture and local history.
Wash Houses in the Hamlets
The wash houses also differ in their layout and roofing. The restored wash house in La Roche is located in the middle of the hamlet. Two covered shelters are separated by a water basin. In Bas Mesnil, the wash house has one covered side; its water basin can be accessed from three sides. The wash house in Le Bourg, in turn, was restored in 2010 and is covered on all four sides. Comparing them shows how differently the sheltered areas and basins are designed.
Walking Trails and Planning Your Time
The PR10 walking route starts at the town hall, is 9 kilometres long and takes about three hours; it is classified as easy. These details provide a practical guide for planning your time. Check the route and its details locally before setting out. Several other walking routes also pass through the municipality: a short walking trail, a long-distance trail in the Pays des Morins and the GR 14 long-distance trail. This selection includes both a circuit with a stated duration and other routes with different designations. No walking times are provided here for the other routes.
Jehan de Brie and Local Produce
Villiers-sur-Rognon, a hamlet in Aulnoy, is the birthplace of Jehan de Brie, who was born around 1340 and is known as the Good Shepherd. He wrote an early French treatise on agriculture as well as an early work on sheep farming. A monument in his honour has stood at the crossroads of the roads to Coulommiers and Rebais since 1901.
The Moulin de Chantemerle produces flour from spelt, buckwheat, rye and wheat, which is sold directly at the farm. The mill also makes organic flour as well as sweet and savoury biscuits; wheat, hemp and flax are grown organically on the farm. Check how direct sales are currently organised before you travel. This makes it possible to combine a visit to the mill with Aulnoy’s cultural and landscape attractions without requiring a fixed itinerary for the day.
Discover more destinations: Fontains, Machault, La Chapelle-la-Reine, Bois-Le-Roi, Champeaux, Échouboulains, Gretz-Armainvilliers, Chaumes-En-Brie.
For the regional travel overview: Seine-Et-Marne.
