Égligny can be explored through two themes: the Vieille Seine, which runs through the municipality, and the history of Notre-Dame-de-Preuilly Abbey. There is also a protected church, a historic statue and the Preuilly circular trail. Together, these offer different focuses for planning a trip: architectural history, religious heritage and rural landscapes.
Landscape and Circular Trail
The historic Preuilly circular trail passes religious and civic buildings through a rural landscape of hills and valleys shaped by small tributaries on the right bank of the Seine. Along the way, you can catch a glimpse of the former Preuilly Abbey; the trail then follows the boundary wall. The route thus combines historic buildings and landscape, without limiting both themes to the same viewpoint.
The Abbey and Its History
The monastery’s history includes two distinct steps: the granting of land and the foundation. In 1118, Thibaut, Count of Champagne, granted the land at Preuilly to the Cistercians. During the abbacy of Stephen Harding, Abbot Arthaud and twelve monks founded Notre-Dame de Preuilly Abbey, the fifth daughter house of Cîteaux. This status as a daughter house also places Preuilly within the wider context of the Cistercian order.
The 14-hectare site preserves significant remains from the 12th century. These include the abbey church, choir, nave, transept and chapter house. The choir, nave and transept are distinct parts of the church building; the chapter house adds another room to the monastic complex. The remains thus encompass several named parts of the abbey, not just the church.
Church, Statue and Pilgrimage
Égligny’s Église Saint-Martin-Saint-Félicien was listed as a historic monument by a decree dated 28 May 1926. The statue of Notre-Dame du chêne is also a protected historic object, though a movable one. It was restored in 2012 and dated to the turn of the 15th and 16th centuries. The dates refer to different milestones: 1926 is the year of the decree listing the church, while 2012 is the year the statue was restored.
The annual Notre-Dame du Chêne pilgrimage runs between the hamlet of Le Chêne and the ruins of Preuilly Abbey. Alongside the buildings and the statue, this adds a recurring religious event and a link between two named places.
Access and When to Visit
Your choice of focus makes a practical difference to when you travel: the abbey is privately owned and can only be visited during the Journées du Patrimoine (European Heritage Days); check the dates before your trip. You should also check the date of the annual pilgrimage in advance. For the circular trail, current trail conditions and markings are important. So, if you’re looking for a holiday rental for your stay, first decide whether the abbey visit, pilgrimage or trail will determine your travel dates.
Discover more destinations: Chelles, Saint-Cyr-sur-Morin, Boutigny, Nonville, Saint-Augustin, Arbonne-La-Forêt, Jossigny, Grandpuits-Bailly-Carrois.
Go to the regional travel overview: Seine-Et-Marne.
