The Lavoir, Fontaine Richard, is a covered communal washhouse dating from the 19th century. Set into its wall is a fountain plaque bearing the year 1772 and the coat of arms of the Richard family. The washhouse and the older plaque bring two different historical periods together. Nearby, trails through the countryside, Briard farms and the Château de Santeny offer various ways to enjoy a stay.
Forest, water and trails
The Forêt de Notre-Dame borders Santeny to the north and has been classified as a protected forest since 25 May 2016. The Réveillon is a small, non-navigable watercourse in the Brie region, used for walks and recreation. This offers a choice of different landscapes: a forest bordering the area to the north and a watercourse suited to walks and recreation.
One specific route runs from the long, surfaced walking trails in Villecresnes, through the Marolles golf course, to the body of water known as “La Queue de Poêle” in Santeny. The route therefore connects trails in Villecresnes with a destination in Santeny. Check current trail conditions before planning your trip.
There are also several horse-riding options: the Écurie du Parc des Lyons offers riding lessons from beginner to competition level, guided pony rides for young children, and rides in the Forêt de Notre-Dame. If you plan to take part in any of these activities, confirm availability directly; for forest rides, also check current route conditions.
Briard farms and architectural history
The Ferme du Marais was already in existence in the 11th century. Renovations in the 19th century gave it the style of a typical Briard farm. The Ferme des Lyons is also a typical Briard farm and a testament to the region’s former agricultural activity. The comparison highlights different aspects: at Marais, an early history meets later renovations, while at Lyons, the focus is on regional agriculture.
The Château de Santeny was built in 1868 from limestone and slate. Its eclectic 19th-century design is reflected, among other features, in turrets with a Gothic Revival or neo-medieval appearance. Concerts are held regularly at the château. However, it is open to the general public only during special events; check the specific dates and opening conditions before visiting.
The Church of Saint-Germain probably dates back to the 13th century. It is not open to the public outside of services and ceremonies. So if you include these sites in your plans, their visiting arrangements differ considerably: access to the château depends on special events, while access to the church is limited to services and ceremonies.
Plan your events and stay
La Santenoise is a recurring charity sports event. The programme includes a 5 km run or walk, as well as runs of 5, 11 and 20 kilometres. Dates, routes and participation requirements may change from one edition to the next. Plan your visit using the information for the relevant edition rather than assuming fixed dates or routes.
If a concert at the château or La Santenoise is the deciding factor, check the relevant dates and access requirements. For riding lessons, pony rides and forest rides, confirm current availability directly with the Écurie du Parc des Lyons.
Discover more destinations: Chennevières-sur-Marne, Choisy-Le-Roi, Vitry-Sur-Seine, Le Kremlin-Bicêtre, La Queue-en-Brie, Rungis, Saint-Mandé, Alfortville
For the wider travel guide: Val-De-Marne.
