Boissise-la-Bertrand can be explored through several historical and landscape features: the Church of Saint-Germain l'Auxerrois, the Château de Beaulieu and the Menhir du Grand Berger. The area also has natural attractions, including the ZNIEFF Landes de Sainte-Assise et Bois de Boissise-la-Bertrand and the Réserve naturelle régionale des Bruyères de Sainte-Assise. When planning your stay, you can decide whether to focus on church and architectural history, early settlement or nature.
Church and architectural history
The Church of Saint-Germain l'Auxerrois is one of the town’s landmarks. A document from Saint-Victor Abbey mentions it as early as the beginning of the 12th century. In the 16th century, the original choir, the area in front of the choir and the bell tower were extended. The early mention and later extension mark different periods: the building work specifically affected these three areas. If you are interested in architectural history, you can distinguish the written reference from the building’s later development.
The château and other historical periods
The Château de Beaulieu is also a notable architectural and landscape feature in the hamlets of Beaulieu and Larre. The château dates from the 19th century and sits on a seven-hectare estate with a tree-lined park and gardens. The estate is privately owned and used for reception rooms. If you plan to visit the château, check visiting arrangements in advance. The park and gardens add a landscape dimension to the architectural setting. The area figure refers to the estate with its park and gardens, not just the château building.
The Menhir du Grand Berger offers another historical perspective and is considered evidence of early settlement in the area. It complements the written history of the church with a different view of the region’s past. A more recent historical development is associated with Sainte-Assise: on 9 January 1921, the foundation stone was laid there for a radio centre intended for intercontinental communications. The planned centre was located across the territories of Seine-Port, Boissise-la-Bertrand and Cesson. The menhir points to early settlement, whereas the foundation stone marked a communications project intended for intercontinental use.
Nature and the Seine
The ZNIEFF Landes de Sainte-Assise et Bois de Boissise-la-Bertrand includes Boissise-la-Bertrand. The Réserve naturelle régionale des Bruyères de Sainte-Assise is located in Boissise-la-Bertrand and Seine-Port. If you plan to visit the nature reserve, check the current access conditions in advance.
The footbridge at the Barrage de Vives-Eaux connects the two banks of the Seine. If you plan to cross it, check access conditions before your visit: the infrastructure may be undergoing maintenance or temporarily closed.
Discover more destinations: Jouarre, Châtenay-Sur-Seine, Nemours, La Chapelle-la-Reine, Champagne-Sur-Seine, Gretz-Armainvilliers, Favières, Rebais.
For the broader travel overview: Seine-Et-Marne.
