Discover Vervins: history, architecture and markets

Discover Vervins through its history and townscape

Vervins offers several distinct ways to explore its history: a micro-walk featuring old postcards, surviving towers from the former fortifications, architecture in the old quarters, and the history of the Église Notre-Dame de l’Assomption. This range of options can help you decide whether to focus your trip planning on the townscape, architectural history or a specific market date. You can explore each theme separately.

A micro-walk and historic buildings

The “Carte postale de Vervins” micro-walk explores the town’s past through twelve panels and old postcards. It crosses the Chertemps, a stream that rises in the hills above Vervins. The panels and postcards offer a visual introduction to the town’s history, while the Chertemps adds a specific connection to the landscape. Ten towers from the former fortifications have survived. This offers another aspect of Vervins’ history alongside the story told by the walk.

The Place de l’Hôtel de Ville can also be understood through its former name: it occupies the site of the former Place d’Armes and is next to the Château des Coucy-Vervins. As you stroll through the old quarters, you can also discover the former courthouse and remarkable buildings in the Art Nouveau and Art Deco styles. The architectural points of interest here include the former courthouse and the two named styles. This complements the history explored along the postcard route.

Church history and a painting from 1699

The Église Notre-Dame de l’Assomption combines a clearly defined building history with a named work of art. After the church was completely destroyed by fire in 1552, it was rebuilt; reconstruction and decoration work continued until the end of the 16th century. The church is also home to Jean Jouvenet’s 1699 painting “Le Repas chez Simon le Pharisien.” The dates help distinguish the rebuilding period from the painting, which dates from later. For art lovers, the painter and title of the work provide a specific point of reference.

Museum and sightseeing options

The Musée de la Thiérache is housed in an authentic residence in Vervins’ historic quarter. The house is distinguished by its 16th- and 17th-century brick architecture, providing another architectural point of interest. Guided tours of Vervins and/or the fortified churches can be arranged on request through the Musée de la Thiérache. If you would like to plan such a tour, submit your request before your trip and coordinate the arrangements. Individual visits are available.

Market dates for your trip planning

A market is held on Saturdays from 8 am to 1 pm at the Place du Général de Gaulle. The “Thiérache Fermière” market is also held there on the first Friday of the month, from 4 pm to 8 pm. The two markets take place on different days of the week and have their own time slots. If a market visit is important to your trip, use these times to see which date fits your plans. Confirm the details before you travel.

Discover more destinations: Saint-Quentin, Marly-Gomont, La Neuville-Lès-Dorengt, Laon, Rogny, La Neuville-Housset, Crécy-Sur-Serre, Viry-Noureuil.

For an overview of the wider region: Aisne.