Hermeray is part of the Haute Vallée de Chevreuse Regional Natural Park and lies in the Guesle Valley. The river crosses the commune from north to south; at the same time, the Église Saint-Germain-d’Auxerre and La Grande Maison tell of different chapters in the area’s history. If you are considering Hermeray as a destination for an overnight stay, you can plan around its landscape, architectural history or an equestrian activity.

The Guesle Valley and its landscape

The Guesle is a clear geographical landmark: it flows through the entire commune, from north to south. Hermeray lies in the river valley and is part of the Haute Vallée de Chevreuse Regional Natural Park. If you also consider the surrounding landscape when choosing a destination, this gives you a concrete sense of Hermeray’s setting. The river and the valley describe two related aspects of its location: the river’s course through the commune and the landscape in which it lies.

Church and historic buildings

Two significant dates relating to the Église Saint-Germain-d’Auxerre refer to different things. The oldest part of the present-day church is the choir, dating from the 12th century; the church was consecrated in 1538. The choir thus points to an early part of the building, while the consecration marks a different chapter in the church’s history.

La Grande Maison is a former manor farm in Hermeray, dating from the first half of the 17th century. The complex was arranged around a square courtyard, with pavilions at its four corners and a moat surrounding it. This layout offers a vivid impression of the farm’s historic design. La Grande Maison also included a mill near the Guesle and a wine press at the place now known as Le Vieux Pressoir. The mill and wine press thus add further local connections to the history of the farm complex.

Local history and rural architecture

Hermeray has preserved buildings made of rammed earth, as well as numerous thatched houses. Rammed earth refers to a building method in which earth is compacted; thatched roofs are another example of traditional construction. Both features offer a concrete insight into the commune’s rural architecture. The earliest written mention is also part of the area’s history: according to the commune, it appears in a charter of Pepin the Short dated 768. This reference reaches back to the 8th century, while the church and manor farm reveal other, later chapters of local history.

Horse-riding lessons and getting there

L’Écurie d’Alex offers introductory horse-riding sessions daily by appointment for participants aged four and over. Arrange your session before visiting. The facility also includes a pony club and stabling for horses kept there by their owners. The riding session is therefore a specific reason to stay; the pony club and livery stables are further parts of the facility.

The Gazeran and Épernon railway stations are near Hermeray. Check current train connections before travelling. These different interests can help you decide whether Hermeray is right for your stay.

Discover more destinations

Perdreauville, Tilly, Gressey, Port-Villez, Le Perray-En-Yvelines, Versailles, Blaru, Villette

For the main travel overview: Yvelines.