Discover Chéry-Chartreuve

Cultural history in Chéry-Chartreuve

When choosing a place to stay, Chéry-Chartreuve may be especially appealing if church art and medieval monastic history influence your travel plans. The Church of Saint-Remi, the former Abbey of Saint-Nicolas in Chartreuve, and the Ferme des Dames each represent different historical connections. Another distinct and challenging option is the La gorge aux loups mountain biking route, which is reserved for experienced riders. To plan your stay, you can first consider whether architectural and art history or a sporting activity is a better fit.

Church of Saint-Remi: architectural features and stained glass

Remains of a 12th-century church survive in the choir of the Church of Saint-Remi. The choir pillars also preserve details from that period: their capitals are decorated with water-leaf motifs. This makes it possible to distinguish two architectural elements, both dating from the 12th century—the church remains in the choir and the ornamentation on the pillars.

The stained-glass windows reflect a different period. They date from 1859, 1861, and 1863, and depict Saint Remi, Saint Louis, and the Eternal Father in the choir. The stained-glass artists Durieux and Marquant-Vogel created four windows in total. These dated windows thus complement the medieval architectural features with an art-historical connection to the 19th century.

The former Abbey of Saint-Nicolas

The former Abbey of Saint-Nicolas in Chartreuve was founded around 1130 as a community of Premonstratensian canons. Its history is also connected with the Church of Saint-Remi: after the French Revolution, the church received the high altar and lectern from the former Premonstratensian abbey church in Chartreuve. The origins of both objects form a tangible historical link between the two religious sites.

The abbey grounds include a landscaped garden and a pond fed by the stream of Chartreuve. The grounds are privately owned.

Ferme des Dames and natural area

The former Romanesque chapel at the Ferme des Dames is now a barn and the only tangible evidence of the community that once lived there. The Ferme des Dames natural site is private and not open to the public. As access conditions may change, check them before planning a visit.

Chéry-Chartreuve is one of the municipalities included in the Natura 2000 site Coteaux calcaires du Tardenois et du Valois (FR2200399). Its inclusion in this protected area is a distinct natural feature of the place, alongside the specific architectural and artistic works at Saint-Remi and the abbey's history.

La gorge aux loups mountain biking route

La gorge aux loups is a mountain biking route reserved for experienced mountain bikers. It passes the ruins of the Premonstratensian abbeys in Chartreuve and the Ferme des Dames. Route conditions may change; check them before your ride. This also makes the route's intended audience clear for your travel plans: it is an option if you are an experienced mountain biker.

Discover more destinations: Saint-Christophe-à-Berry, Mont-Saint-Jean, Ambleny, Chamouille, Martigny-Courpierre, Guignicourt, Courmelles, Montreuil-aux-Lions.

For the regional travel overview: Aisne.