The Église de Prez-sur-Marne has a major construction phase dating to the 13th century; an easy walk leads to the Chapelle de la Vierge des Pauvres, built by volunteers in 1954. A towpath designated as a cycle path also runs along the Canal de Chevillon near Bayard-sur-Marne. These different points of interest help you choose between architectural history, a specifically described walking route and a cycling option.
Church and the history of ironworking
The Église de Prez-sur-Marne is located in Bayard-sur-Marne. Its major construction phase dates to the 13th century. The porch received its own, precisely dated designation: it was listed by decree on 21 November 1925. The two dates refer to different aspects of the church: one dates a construction phase, while the other concerns the porch.
Another historical thread is ironworking. The “Haut fourneau, fonderie dite S.A. des Fonderie de Bayard, puis S.A. des Fonderies de Bayard et de Saint-Dizier, puis S.A. Pont à Mousson” in Bayard-sur-Marne is part of this history. An ironworks is mentioned in 1513; in 1805, the site was completely rebuilt. The dates therefore mark different points: the early mention of an ironworks and, later, the complete rebuilding of the site.
Those interested in the history of the area will find several distinct topics rather than a single continuous story: church architecture, the listing of the porch and ironworking. This distinction helps put the dates and places mentioned into their respective contexts.
The chapel as a walking destination
The Chapelle de la Vierge des Pauvres was built by volunteers in 1954. It is also the destination of the walk “La Chapelle des Pauvres à Bayard-sur-Marne au départ de Bienville”. According to its name, the route starts in Bienville and is described as an easy walk of 9.73 kilometres. Along the way, visitors see the chapel and its Stations of the Cross.
For planning, the distance and difficulty rating provide two different points of reference: the distance describes the length of the route, while “easy” gives its hiking grade. No walking time is specified. The Gare de Bayard railway station is listed as the access point for this walk. The route description was updated in April 2025; conditions may change. Check it before setting out.
A cycle path along the Canal de Chevillon
As another activity option, a towpath designated as a cycle path runs along the Canal de Chevillon near Bayard-sur-Marne. This is a specific point of interest for anyone interested in cycling routes. No route length or walking or cycling time is given; the key difference from the chapel route is that this path is designated for cycling rather than being a named walk with a stated distance and difficulty rating.
The two routes can therefore be distinguished by the activity you prefer: the walking route leads to the chapel and includes the Stations of the Cross; the towpath is designated as a cycle path. You should not assume that they form a single circular route. Treat them as two separate points of interest when planning your stay.
Tailor your stay to your interests
When looking for a holiday rental in Bayard-sur-Marne, you can start by considering what you want your stay to focus on. The church and the history of ironworking offer historical points of interest; the chapel is the destination of a described walk, while the path along the Canal de Chevillon is designated as a cycle path. This lets you choose a focus that suits you without turning the different details into a fixed route or a particular day’s itinerary.
Discover more destinations: Chatoillenot, Bourbonne-Les-Bains, Bourmont, Flagey, Semoutiers-Montsaon, Peigney, Vaux-Sous-Aubigny, Millières.
For the broader travel overview: Haute-Marne.
