Herblay brings together several distinct historical themes: Saint-Martin Church above the Seine, the Gaillon quarries and buildings ranging from a private house to a long stone wall. When choosing where to stay, you can first consider whether church architecture, former quarry use, or the river and market best match your interests. There are also practical details to consider when planning: check market days, public transport connections and the seasonal Passeur for your travel dates.

Saint-Martin Church and its building history

Saint-Martin Church stands above the Seine on the site of a Merovingian cemetery dating from the 7th century. Its construction spanned several centuries: the transept, dating from the 12th century, is the oldest part, and building work continued until the 18th century. The transept is the part of a church that crosses the nave; its date marks an early stage in a long period of development.

The stained-glass windows also tell of different historical layers. Some are protected as historic monuments. These include 16th-century windows featuring grisaille depictions of faces, as well as an exceptional ensemble depicting the Tree of Jesse. At Saint-Martin, both the development of the building itself and individual art-historical details are central.

Gaillon quarries: use and architecture

The history of the Gaillon quarries began in the 12th century. Stone was first extracted in open quarries and later underground. The quarries were subsequently used for mushroom cultivation until 2000. Their use therefore spans quite distinct phases: stone extraction and later use for growing mushrooms.

The entrances also show different forms and dates. One entrance, with two Gothic arches, was built in 1762 and 1765. Another entrance, the Carrière des Anglais, features a Romanesque arch dating from 1896. Stone from the quarries was also used for the Panthéon, the Gare de l’Est, the Bourse de Paris and parts of the Palace of Versailles. The quarries thus connect their own history of use and construction with the use of their stone in these well-known buildings.

One important point for planning a visit: the quarries are currently not safe enough for guided tours. Check the conditions again before visiting.

Stone wall and houses along the Seine

The Mur du Roy, also known as the Mur blanc, is an old stone wall that stretches for several kilometres along the Seine, from Chemin du Val à Gaillon to Rue des Grosses Eaux. It was built during the reign of Louis XIV to protect crops from wild animals from the Forest of Saint-Germain. The wall can therefore be understood in terms of both its length and its historical purpose.

The Maison Mauresque offers a different architectural theme: it is a notable private building on the banks of the Seine. Its exterior architecture has Arab-Andalusian influences. The house combines an older structure with an extension from the early 20th century by Victor Madeleine. He set up his studio and a photographic laboratory there. These details bring the Maison Mauresque into focus both as a place to live and work and as an example of distinctive exterior architecture.

The Tour Penchée is also part of the area’s building history. A description accompanying a sale in 1880 portrays it as the surviving remains of a well with a windmill that served as a hydraulic drive. This historical interpretation differs from the specifically dated construction phases of the church and the quarry entrances.

Market, transport and crossing the Seine

The town market takes place three times a week at Place de la Halle. As market days and arrangements can change, check the current market days in advance. Public transport in Herblay-sur-Seine centres on the SNCF railway station, with a connection to Transilien Line J, and the bus station, served by the Val d’Oise bus network. This is complemented by the Citéval local bus. Network details and operators can change, so check connections for your travel dates.

The Passeur is a seasonal river ferry that lets you cross the Seine on foot or by bicycle. The landing is at Quai du Génie, near the Maison du Passeur. Unlike the railway station and bus network, the Passeur provides a river crossing; its operating periods may vary. Check the timetable for your travel dates in advance rather than assuming the service runs all year.

A dated reference to cycling

Cycling also has a documented connection to Herblay: the 14th edition of the “Tous à vélo” event included a 17-kilometre circuit starting from Parc de la Mairie on 25 May 2024. The route was accessible to all ability levels. This information refers to the event on that date and offers a concrete insight into the cycling programme at the time.

Discover more destinations: Survilliers, Cergy, Soisy-Sous-Montmorency, Méry-Sur-Oise, La Frette-Sur-Seine, Osny, Ronquerolles, Enghien-Les-Bains.

For the broader travel overview: Val-D'oise.