Vieux-Moulin combines walking routes in the Compiègne Forest with distinctive landmarks that tell the story of the village and its architecture. One detail already explains the village’s name: the Ru de Berne flows through Vieux-Moulin and once powered the former watermill. This gives you two themes to consider when planning your trip: walks with specified distances and durations, and regional history visible in the buildings and landscape.
Walking routes with clear time estimates
The Vieux-Moulin walking route is a moderately difficult 5.3-kilometre loop, with an indicated duration of 2 hours and 40 minutes. It starts and ends at Carrefour de la Route Tournante et de la Route Crinquet in Vieux-Moulin. The Promenade des Gorges du Han is also moderately difficult: its indicated duration is 2 hours and 30 minutes for a distance of 5.9 kilometres. It starts and ends at Carrefour de la Gorge du Han. By comparison, this route is longer, while the Vieux-Moulin route has the longer indicated duration. This makes it possible to weigh distance and time separately. Conditions on hiking trails can change; check them before setting out.
Forest, water and nature
The Promenade des Gorges du Han leads to the Étangs de Saint-Pierre, listed as an attraction along the route. Today’s Étangs originated from six Warin ponds. At 137 metres, Mont Saint-Pierre-en-Chastres is one of the highest points in the Compiègne Forest. The Grotte des ramoneurs is also on the route. It has been closed to the public since 2000 and serves as a refuge for biodiversity; at least 130 lesser horseshoe bats live there. The cave has been closed since 2000; check the latest information before travelling.
Another activity in the Compiègne Forest is Grimp à l’Arb. It offers 13 courses attached to centuries-old trees. As operating conditions can change, check them before your visit. Vivier Frère Robert included a fishpond and a mill; the Augustinians of Royallieu gave up both in 1620.
Megaliths and monastic history
The megalithic monument Pierre qui tourne, also known as Pierre Torniche, is located on the northern slope of Mont Saint-Mard. A burial chamber was discovered beneath the dolmen during the Second Empire. The site thus brings together a named megalith and a specific archaeological find from regional history.
The Saint-Pierre-en-Chastres priory was founded in 1309 by Philippe IV le Bel and affiliated with the newly established Order of the Celestines. Its ruins have been protected as a Monument historique since 7 June 1905. Saint-Pierre-en-Chastres is a rare example of late-14th-century architecture in the region. Its foundation date, later architectural classification and protected status point to different periods in its history.
Church construction and architecture
The Church of Saint-Mellon was rebuilt in 1860 at the instigation of Emperor Napoleon III and Empress Eugénie, to plans by Grisart, architect of the Palais de Compiègne. Its design is especially evident in the bell tower: built as a porch, it has two deeply projecting roofs that give it a pagoda-like appearance. The church also contains a carved wooden Stations of the Cross by P.A. Brément, who was parish priest of Vieux-Moulin from 1860 to 1896. Near the starting point of the Promenade des Gorges du Han stands the Pavillon Eugénie, built by Viollet-le-Duc in 1857.
Discover more destinations: Milly-Sur-Thérain, Montépilloy, Vauciennes, Saint-Germer-De-Fly, Saint-Sulpice, Conchy-Les-Pots, Le Hamel, Villembray
For the main travel overview: Oise.
