Rozoy-Sur-Serre: Discover heritage and trails

Rozoy-Sur-Serre reveals itself through its ecclesiastical heritage and trails that showcase the landscape and regional architectural styles. The Saint-Laurent Collegiate Church reflects the town’s long history; Le chemin des contes draws attention to bocage hedgerows and half-timbered and earth architecture. There is also the Route des Lavoirs, which takes in several communes. This gives you a choice of different ways to spend your time here: historic buildings, a landscape trail or a themed tour of wash houses.

Church and local history

The Saint-Laurent Collegiate Church was built after Hildegaud erected a chapel within the castle grounds and founded a collegiate chapter in 1018. The church is listed or registered as a historic monument. A bell dating from the 17th century bears the names of Cardinal Mazarin and his niece Hortense Mancini. A fortified house, also dating from the 17th century, is part of the local heritage. The timeline therefore stretches from the foundation of the collegiate chapter in the early 11th century to the bell and fortified house in the 17th century.

Le chemin des contes: landscape and architecture

Le chemin des contes starts in the centre of Rozoy-Sur-Serre, beside the church; a few parking spaces are available at the start. The trail draws attention to well-preserved bocage hedgerows and to the region’s characteristic half-timbered and earth architecture. The hedgerows give tangible form to the landscape theme, while the half-timbering and earth construction reflect regional building traditions. The walk thus presents landscape and the built environment as two distinct themes.

There is a specific point to consider when choosing how to get around: a marked trail is accessible to walkers, cyclists and horse riders without major difficulty.

Wash houses across several communes

Rozoy-Sur-Serre is part of the Route des Lavoirs, a tourist route that leads to 26 wash houses in 19 communes. Its scope is therefore intercommunal, and its theme is clear: the route focuses on wash houses. By contrast, Le chemin des contes starts beside the church and takes in the landscape and regional architectural styles. The practical difference lies in the subject and scale: one route focuses on wash houses across several communes, while the other starts in the town centre and showcases the landscape and architectural styles.

Cider and products of the Thiérache

The Thiérache is also associated with apple processing. Clos de la Fontaine Hugo is one of the region’s last cider presses. Products associated with Clos include Cidre de Thiérache, Pommel, Péti'pomme, traditional apple juice, Confit de cidre, apple vinegar, apple jelly and La Folie Douce. A guided tour of the entire cider press, followed by a tasting of its own products, was previously offered. If you would like to include this experience in your plans, check in advance whether tours are currently available.

Discover more destinations: Chivres-Val, Monthenault, Beaulne, Mont-Saint-Jean, Ugny-Le-Gay, Roucy, Autreppes, Ostel

For the broader travel overview: Aisne.