In Poigny-La-Forêt, architectural history, forest trails and an annual pilgrimage come together.

Chapels, priory and architectural history

The Chapelle des Moulineaux is one of three chapels of the Order of Grandmont still standing in France. It is therefore a prominent landmark for anyone interested in the history of the order and the town’s architectural heritage.

The remains of the Prieuré des Moulineaux are located on a two-hectare site in a forest designated as a Natura 2000 area. Municipal information, updated on 4 April 2023, states that, because of the risk of collapse and pending restoration work, the priory is open to the public only for the European Heritage Days. Check whether the priory will be open on the date of your visit.

The parish church of Saint-Pierre also has a historical detail: its south portal is probably a surviving part of an older 12th-century building. The cautious description of it as a probable surviving part is part of the portal’s history.

Forest trails and places for a stroll

The “Forêt de Rambouillet et rochers d’Angennes” route is six kilometres long and takes an average of two hours. It ends in Poigny-La-Forêt in a car park beside the Étang d’Angennes. The route therefore gives you a specific distance and average duration for planning; its known endpoint is at the Étang d’Angennes.

The Rochers d’Angennes are considered a particularly noteworthy feature of the Rambouillet forest. The Roche au Loup is a forest and historical site for walks in Poigny-La-Forêt. Both names offer a different way to explore the forest and local history than the route with its stated length and duration.

The Sentier Chantereau is a named trail for a fun and educational discovery of the commune’s heritage. This makes it possible to choose between activities based on your interests: the route has a stated distance and average duration, while the Sentier Chantereau focuses on discovering the commune’s heritage.

Oratoire Saint-Fort: spring, mosaic and pilgrimage

The Oratoire Saint-Fort stands on the bank of a river, overlooking a basin fed by a spring. A modern mosaic on its triangular pediment depicts a bearded bishop leading a child with a disability to a spring. The waterside setting and the scene depicted are among the distinct details that define the Oratoire.

A pilgrimage to the spring there takes place every year on Whit Monday and is associated with the Oratoire. If you plan your stay around this date, check the specific programme locally.

The historic sites and trails each offer a different focus: the Grandmont tradition and architectural history, forest walks, discovering the commune’s heritage, or the Whit Monday pilgrimage. When planning your trip, you can choose the focus that best suits your travel dates and interests.

Discover more destinations: Neauphle-le-Château, Raizeux, Mittainville, Villennes-Sur-Seine, Le Chesnay, Feucherolles, Gressey, Bailly

For the broader travel overview: Yvelines.