Saint-Maur-Des-Fossés combines historic buildings with walks along the Marne. The “Flânerie en boucle” highlights the heritage and architecture of the La Pie, Les Mûriers and La Varenne neighbourhoods; another circular route focuses on the wildlife and plant life along the riverbanks. To plan your trip, you can first decide whether you would like to focus more on history and architecture or on nature during your stay.
Abbey and historic buildings
The Abbey of Saint-Maur was founded in 639. Its surviving remains include the Rabelais Tower, dating from 1360, a pillar of the abbey church from the 13th century, and the apse of the Notre-Dame-des-Miracles chapel, dating from the 12th to the 14th century. These are joined by part of the cellar building and underground passages.
The dates refer to different parts and periods: 639 is the founding year of the abbey, while the surviving structures span several centuries. The tower has an exact date; the pillar and the apse are assigned broader periods. This distinction helps place the different historical references in context without treating the individual parts as dating from the same period.
Since 10 February 2003, the Musée de Saint-Maur - Villa Médicis has held the status of a Musée de France. The Church of Saint-Nicolas is also part of the protected heritage: it is protected as a historic monument, and its choir is thought to date from 1230 to 1240. The protected status applies to the church, while the tentative dating applies to the choir.
Walks along the Marne: culture or nature
On the “Flânerie en boucle”, the walk itself forms part of the cultural perspective. The signposted route runs between the Pont de Créteil and the Pont de Chennevières and offers a chance to discover the heritage along the banks of the Marne. The walk passes through an array of architectural styles, including pavilions and villas in La Pie, Les Mûriers and La Varenne. It also recalls Saint-Maur-Des-Fossés’s former history as a destination for excursions and relaxation.
A nature-focused alternative is the circular route “CIRCUIT DÉCOUVREZ LES ÎLES DE LA MARNE À SAINT-MAUR-DES-FOSSÉS”. It offers the opportunity to discover the wildlife and plant life along the banks of the Marne. The main difference between the two walks is their focus: the “Flânerie en boucle” centres on heritage and architecture, while the “CIRCUIT” focuses on nature along the river. Choosing your walks according to your interests makes this contrast a clear guide.
Accommodation and getting around town
For getting around by public transport, the RER A line is a useful reference point: it serves four stations in Saint-Maur-Des-Fossés. If travelling by public transport is important to you, include the exact address of your accommodation in your plans and compare it with the places you intend to visit during your stay.
When choosing a hotel, you can also consider whether you would like to devote most of your time to historic buildings, the architecture along the “Flânerie en boucle”, or the wildlife and plant life along the Marne.
Discover more destinations: Maisons-Alfort, Santeny, Alfortville, Villeneuve-Saint-Georges, Villecresnes, Orly, Villejuif, Boissy-Saint-Léger.
For the broader travel overview: Val-De-Marne.
