Church and château history, paths with sweeping landscape views, and agricultural experiences give La Celle-Les-Bordes several distinct facets. When planning your trip, you can decide whether historical buildings, the landscape, or insights into agriculture should take centre stage. Local examples range from a church with a recorded dedication year to a former mairie-école and a forest area designated as part of Natura 2000.
Church, château and historic building phases
The parish church of Saint-Germain-de-Paris was rebuilt after the Hundred Years’ War and consecrated in 1524. The Château de La Celle’s notable construction and renovation phases came later: it was built in the late 16th century in the style of Henry IV and redesigned by the Duchess of Uzès in the late 19th century. During this later period, the château became a lively hunting gathering place. Together, the two buildings span the period from after the Hundred Years’ War to the changes of the late 19th century.
The former mairie-école was built in 1854 on the slope between the hamlets of La Celle and Les Bordes. Within the regional park, it has a unique building typology. Its date sets it apart from the church’s and château’s older construction and design phases; its location between the hamlets also provides a distinct point of reference for finding your way around the area.
Sainte-Anne de Moûtiers dates back to a Benedictine priory documented as early as the 11th century. La Celle-Les-Bordes thus brings together an early religious foundation and construction or design phases from the 16th to the 19th century. Visitors interested in heritage will find more than a single period here: the historical landmarks range from the priory to the château’s later alterations.
Paths and forest: two perspectives on the landscape
The paths around La Celle-Les-Bordes offer panoramas across grain-growing plateaus, steep slopes and the valley floor. These views bring several types of landscape together in a single vista. They offer a different way of experiencing the area than its architectural history, which centres on individual buildings and the different periods in which they were built or altered.
The Forêt départementale du Bois des Gaules is also part of the local landscape. The forest covers 43 hectares between farmland and the Rû de l’Aulne. It is part of the Natura 2000 site “Massif de Rambouillet et Zones humides proches,” designated for the diversity of its bird species. In this way, the panoramas across plateau, slope and valley floor are complemented by the forest’s specific area, location and protected-site status.
Farm visits and produce
At the Ferme de La Noue, farm visits include milking cows and discovering the animals. The Ferme pédagogique de la Noue offers visits where you can observe and feed farm animals. A visit can end with a farm snack made from the farm’s own produce. As visit arrangements may change, it is advisable to check specific dates in advance.
There are several different options: historical buildings, panoramas and forest, or a visit focused on animals and agricultural produce. When looking for somewhere to stay, you can include hotels in La Celle-Les-Bordes in your travel plans.
Discover more destinations: Chanteloup-Les-Vignes, Buc, Le Tremblay-Sur-Mauldre, Le Chesnay, Maisons-Laffitte, Jouy-En-Josas, Cernay-La-Ville, Saint-Germain-En-Laye.
For the main travel overview: Yvelines.
