Essômes-sur-Marne circular: from the town centre via the banks of the Marne

The route starts from the forecourt of the abbey church. It is easily accessible by car, and you can park there or in the car park on Rue du Jeu d’Arc, which is right next to it.

(S/E) With your back to the church, turn right onto Rue du Jeu d’Arc, then take the path on the right. This runs alongside the Jeu d’Arc to the Ru des Rochets, which you should follow, turning right to rejoin the street.

(1) Continue along the Ru des Rochets until you reach Avenue du Général de Gaulle. Cross the road and continue along the stream, taking the path furthest to the left. At the junction, turn left, cross the stream via the footbridge and continue along the opposite bank until you reach the crossroads.

(2) Turn right towards the towpath and the banks of the Marne. Keep to the right on the towpath and follow the Marne until you reach the second stream. Continue to the three-way junction that appears just after this.

(3) Keep to the right, then turn right again onto the path beneath the gardens of the first houses. Continue along this path and cross the footbridge. At the junction with the gravel path, turn left. Carry on along the road to the left until you reach Rue Roosevelt.

(4) Cross at the pedestrian crossing and walk up Rue Staline on the opposite side, then take Rue Churchill until you reach Place du 11 Novembre and Place du 8 Mai at Rue Jacques Fourrier.

(5) Cross Rue Jacques Fourrier at the pedestrian crossing and walk down Rue de l’Abbaye until you reach the forecourt of the Abbey Church of Saint-Ferréol (S/E).

Public toilets are available near the start and finish points.
An electric vehicle charging point is located in the car park on Rue du Jeu d’Arc, near the start.
Benches and litter bins are situated along the route.

(S/E) You can visit the Gothic-style Saint-Ferréol Abbey Church, dating from the early 13th century; for more information, visit the website
A wash house featuring an illustration of Jean de la Fontaine’s ‘The Wolf and the Lamb’ is situated at the corner of Rue du Jeu d’Arc and Rue de l’Abbaye.
The Saint-Ferréol fountain is situated at the junction of Rue de l’Abbaye, Avenue du Général de Gaulle and Rue Roosevelt.
The town hall is situated opposite the abbey church.
There are shops near the church forecourt.

Between (S/E) and (1), on Rue du Jeu d’Arc, you can see a superb dovecote on the right and a remnant of the abbey’s defensive tower on the left.

(2) View over the vineyards and the American Monument, built by Paul Cret in 1933. It was erected on Hill 204 in memory of the offensive of 18 July 1918.

Walk past the communal orchard and along the edge of the arboretum. Note that the Collinette wetland is a protected natural area.

Four market gardeners are based on Rue de la Marne.

(4) The route passes close to the Jacques Lob Media Centre (the former village school).
Walk up Rue Staline, one of the few streets of its kind in France.

(5) Pass close to the War Memorial.
Pass by the Calvary.

Further information is available on theEssômes-sur-Marne town council website