A yellow-marked walking trail and a varied archaeological offering give Touquin two clear highlights to explore. The Church of Saint-Étienne, with its long building history, is another attraction. If you are looking for accommodation in Touquin, you can assess the town based on whether you are most interested in a marked route, church and archaeological history, or participatory activities.
Walking in the Yerres Valley
The Touquin–Saint-Étienne walking trail starts at Touquin town hall. It is rated easy, marked in yellow, and 8.6 kilometres long; the walk takes about two hours and 45 minutes. The approximate duration and distance provide a clear framework for planning. In the protected Yerres Valley, the trail crosses a landscape shaped by a château and former watercress beds.
Touquin lies 12 kilometres southwest of Coulommiers and is accessible via the D 934, D 402, and D 25 roads. Route conditions may change; check the latest information for your planned route before setting off.
Saint-Étienne and traces of the past
The Church of Saint-Étienne was founded in the 12th century and altered in the 15th century, then again in the 17th and 18th centuries. It houses a relic of Saint Restituta, a martyr from the late 3rd century. These architectural and historical details connect the church with several different periods, rather than a single era.
Finds near the church also point to earlier centuries: plaster and stone sarcophagi discovered in 1895 suggest an older building, possibly from the 7th or 8th century. The washhouse on Route du Tau adds to the local heritage sites. It was restored in 2017 with support from the Fondation du Patrimoine.
Discover and explore archaeology
Archaeological excavations in Touquin uncovered a 1.40-metre-thick wall in 2004. It dates from the 12th or 13th century, the period of the great Champagne fairs. The ARCHEO-SAT77 Archaeological and Heritage Centre offers a chronological exhibition route from the Palaeolithic to the present day. It also presents discoveries from archaeological work carried out over two decades.
The Société Archéologique de Touquin offers themed walking trails and training courses. These cover archaeological excavation, assembling pottery, and restoring finds. Each year, the society also organises archaeological excavation campaigns open to everyone interested, including amateurs, volunteers, student interns, and scientists. The Castrum Tulquinum association offers a way to explore history and archaeology through historical reenactment.
The ARCHEO-SAT77 Centre offers guided tours and educational activities for school classes and groups on its opening days; on Tuesdays, these are available by appointment. If you are planning a guided tour or group activity, arrange it in advance. The archaeological activities therefore take different forms: from exploring the exhibition independently to scheduled group visits and the annual excavation campaigns. Together with the clearly defined walking trail, these options make it possible to assess Touquin as a place to stay based on a range of interests.
Discover more destinations: La Madeleine-Sur-Loing, Villiers-Sur-Morin, La Ferté-Sous-Jouarre, Quincy-Voisins, Dammarie-Les-Lys, Vaux-Le-Pénil, Chaumes-En-Brie, Isles-Lès-Villenoy.
For the regional travel overview: Seine-Et-Marne.
