Mézy-Moulins lies on the left bank of the Marne, at its confluence with the Surmelin. You can explore the river landscape and heritage through specific sites and a named route: the La rose sur la Marne walking trail passes the church in Mézy and continues to the Polissoir du Bois-des-Grès. Visitors can combine views of the rivers with historical and architectural details.
Between the Marne and Surmelin
The La rose sur la Marne walking trail runs from the banks of the Surmelin to those of the Marne. Along the way, it passes the church in Mézy and leads to the Polissoir du Bois-des-Grès. After leaving the forest, walkers are rewarded with panoramic views across the Marne Valley. This brings together two distinct landscape perspectives: the confluence that shapes the town's setting, and the valley views along the trail after the forest section.
The route links the riverbanks with two specific cultural sites, while the panoramic view adds a landscape dimension. You can focus on the trail between the two rivers or use the church and the stone site as landmarks along the route. These destinations give the trail a clear connection to the area, without reducing the landscape and heritage to a single focus.
The Polissoir du Bois-des-Grès
The Polissoir du Bois-des-Grès dates back to the Neolithic period and is also known as the “pierre des Cosaques.” It was classified as a historic monument by decree on 20 February 1969. Its surface bears eleven grooves and 18 cup marks and depressions in the stone. These details draw attention to the stone's shape and texture; its classification and prehistoric origins also provide a historical context for the site.
For visitors interested in stone monuments, the Polissoir offers a different point of interest from the church: here, the focus is a single stone with its visible grooves and depressions. The alternative name “pierre des Cosaques” gives you another way to recognize the monument. The Polissoir also lies on the walking trail, linking it to the route's river and valley landscapes.
Church and parish complex
The Église Notre-Dame de Mézy stands near the confluence of the Marne and Surmelin, in a flood-prone meadow. It sits on raised ground surrounded by the cemetery. The church and cemetery form a parish complex, enclosed by a low wall made of local stone. Its location, terrain and boundary give the complex a different appearance from the freestanding stone Polissoir.
The Église de la Nativité-de-la-Sainte-Vierge de Mézy-Moulins is a three-storey Early Gothic building dating from the 13th century. Its architectural features include a rose window with twelve petals. Together with the local stone wall and the elevated site, these details offer different points of interest if you are interested in the building's design, the church complex or its relationship with the river landscape.
Fishing on the Marne
The Marne also offers a specific attraction for fishing enthusiasts. The fishing course managed by Les Amis de la Gaule stretches for 15 km along the river and begins in Mézy-Moulins, at the confluence of the Marne and Surmelin. The course includes a night carp-fishing area along the banks of the Marne. Spawning grounds and regulated areas near locks are excluded. Check the local regulations in force before fishing.
Mézy-Moulins therefore offers different options for planning a trip: the walking trail links the banks of the two rivers with the church and Polissoir, while the fishing course focuses specifically on the Marne. The church complex and Neolithic monument complement these riverside attractions with architectural and cultural history. Which aspect you focus on can depend on the specific activities you have planned for your stay.
Discover more destinations: L'épine-Aux-Bois, Craonnelle, Achery, Bony, Wimy, Filain, Fresnes, Chauny
For the overview of the wider area: Aisne.
