Discover Roye-Sur-Matz: the Matz, marshes and history

Roye-Sur-Matz reveals itself through its landscape and history: the Matz, the marsh areas and paths make up one side of the town; the church, former tithe barn and surviving railway buildings make up another. For planning your trip, it is helpful to consider these themes separately: a walk by the water, the landscape of the upper Matz Valley and the history of its historic buildings are different reasons to explore the town. This way, you can decide which local features you would like to shape your trip.

River, springs and marshland

The Matz flows through Roye-Sur-Matz and has four sources. One of them is in the La Babillarde municipal park. Roye-Sur-Matz also has three marsh areas; the Grand Marais is designed as a recreational area. You will therefore encounter different landscape features: the river, a named spring location and the marsh areas. The Grand Marais adds an area specifically designed for recreation. As facilities may change, check the current conditions before your visit if you plan to spend time at the Grand Marais.

Circular trail and walks

The Circuit des Bois de Roye circular trail starts in Roye-Sur-Matz at the parking area opposite Château des Granges. The trail guide was updated in January 2018; check local access and parking conditions before setting out. The trail crosses the upper Matz Valley and passes through a variety of natural environments: damp valley floors and sandy slopes. This contrast gives you a tangible impression of the landscape along the route. The banks of the Matz, open to walkers between Canny-sur-Matz and Laberlière, are a separate option. For planning purposes, these are two distinct reference points: the circular trail, which starts at the parking area, and the stretch of riverbank open to walkers. As access conditions may change, check them before your visit.

Historic functions and abbeys

In the 12th century, Château des Granges served as a monastic tithe barn; tithes from the areas of Roye-Sur-Matz and Laberlière were stored there. This function links the building to a specific medieval use. Another historical detail concerns Ferme des Granges: from 1297 to 1656, it was dependent on Saint-Corneille Abbey. It was then under the authority of Val-de-Grâce Abbey until the French Revolution. The tithe barn served as a storage facility in the 12th century, while the history of the farm was shaped by its changing affiliations with abbeys over several centuries. This places two different aspects of the town’s history in context without conflating their respective periods and functions.

Church and former railway buildings

The Church of Saint-Martin was built in two phases between 1150 and 1180. After the fighting in 1918 had almost completely destroyed the church, it was restored with great care. Its history therefore includes both its 12th-century construction and its restoration after the destruction of 1918. Other historical points of interest include the buildings of the former Roye-Sur-Matz railway station and the former railway crossing keeper’s cottage, both of which have been preserved. While Saint-Martin has a building history with two phases far apart in time, the surviving railway buildings offer a different insight into the town’s architectural past.

Discover more destinations: Agnetz, La Chapelle-En-Serval, Thibivillers, Breteuil, Ormoy-Villers, Belle-Eglise, Vauciennes, Esches

For the regional travel overview: Oise.