Sommeville via Le Châtelet and the Haute-Borne menhir

This route offers panoramic views of several villages in the Marne Valley and takes you on a tour of several archaeological sites.

Details

870026
Creation:
Last update:
Last review:
  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 8.19 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 2h 40 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Easy

  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 121 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 116 m

  • ▲
    Highest point: 262 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 164 m
  • ⚐ Country: France
  • ⚐ District: Chevillon (52170)
  • ⚑
    Start/End: N 48.539584° / E 5.104062°
  • Accessible from the train station Gare de Bayard.
  • ❏
    IGN map(s): Ref. 3116SB
  • Hour-by-hour weather

Photos

Description of the walk

(S/E) Start in front of Sommeville church, heading towards Fontaines-sur-Marne (north-west).

(1) Turn left onto Chemin de l'écluse, then take the footbridge under the railway line. Continue to the small bridge to cross the canal.

(2) Follow the towpath to the right towards Bayard-sur-Marne.

(3) In Bayard, turn right, cross the drawbridge and the level crossing to reach the fire station via the small footbridge. Go behind the fire station and take the path on the left.

(4) At the fork, go left and follow the path up through the undergrowth (do not take the paths on the left). You will come out onto the road (D8).

(5) Look for the cross on your right and cross the road. (Take care, as visibility is reduced due to the hilltops on either side). Continue along this small tarmac road, passing an archaeological site.

(6) Continue straight ahead until you come to another path on the right.

(7) Take the hairpin bend onto this path which descends to Sommeville. Pass the Cholera Cross and its walnut tree and arrive at the church (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 170 m - Sommeville Church
  2. 1 : km 0.54 - alt. 169 m - Path to the lock
  3. 2 : km 0.91 - alt. 168 m - Towpath on the right - Marne (la)
  4. 3 : km 2.79 - alt. 166 m - Drawbridge - Canal entre Champagne et Bourgogne
  5. 4 : km 3.24 - alt. 174 m - Fork to the left
  6. 5 : km 4.58 - alt. 204 m - Road (D8)
  7. 6 : km 5.84 - alt. 245 m - Aqueduct and Menhir
  8. 7 : km 6.37 - alt. 262 m - Path on the right
  9. S/E : km 8.19 - alt. 170 m - Sommeville Church

Worth a visit

(4) On the descent before reaching the road, on the right-hand side, you will pass a cave (of unknown origin) and an ice house (the ancestor of the refrigerator, where the inhabitants stored ice).

(6) Archaeological site consisting of a small section of a Gallo-Roman aqueduct and, a few hundred metres further on, a menhir (druidic stone).

(7) Before descending to the village, enjoy the panoramic view of the Marne Valley. This cross was erected by the inhabitants of the commune in gratitude for the village having been spared from cholera.

Reviews and comments

4.6 / 5
Based on 7 reviews

Reliability of the description
4.7 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.9 / 5
Route interest
4.1 / 5
Randonneur lorrain
Randonneur lorrain

Overall rating : 3.3 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 23, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★☆☆ Average
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★☆☆ Average
Very busy route : No

Hello,
I recently walked this path.
At point 4, the path that goes up into the woods is private (there is a sign saying "no entry, fines will be issued").
The menhir is nothing special, and the road leading to it is in full sun.
I did not see the remains of the Roman aqueduct, as there is a barrier blocking the way.

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Kobial
Kobial

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Feb 17, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good

A lovely circular walk, completed in 1 hour 20 minutes without breaking a sweat. It's a shame we didn't see the ice house, the cave or the archaeological remains...

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Payster
Payster

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Jan 25, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good

A beautiful hike between the Marne, the canal and the plateau. The detour to the menhir is a bit long and there isn't much information about it...which is a shame.
To be repeated in summer!

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brillonnais
brillonnais

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 26, 2019
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

Hello, I was familiar with the points of interest on this hike, but experiencing them on foot along a trail is even better.

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dansmessouliers
dansmessouliers

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Dec 27, 2018
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good

Nice hike. There's a climb in the middle of the route, but the rest is flat.
Lovely scenery.
The description is spot on
We walked at a good pace and took 1 hour 50 minutes.
However, we didn't see the cave or the glacier. Too bad.

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BISONFUTE76
BISONFUTE76

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : May 19, 2018
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

Great work on the scouting, thank you.

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bloodbowl41
bloodbowl41

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : May 20, 2018
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good

Excellent walk despite a few long, sunny stretches. Bring water with you.
The environment is relaxing with some magnificent views.
The climb through the undergrowth is fantastic. It's steep! Excellent for cardio and leg strength.
I highly recommend it.

PS: However, the points of interest are almost useless (menhir, ruins, etc.) or impossible to find (ice house in particular).

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