Churches from different building periods, a Renaissance house and a hiking trail between rocky landscapes and the Meuse Valley give Bourmont a distinctive character for a culture- and landscape-focused trip. Parc des Roches lies at the foot of a limestone cliff and offers a viewpoint over the Meuse Valley; the La Bove et le CĂ´na loop is a three-hour hike. You can plan your stay around historic buildings, time outdoors or a combination of the two.
Churches and architectural history
The collegiate church of Notre-Dame was built in 1754 on the site of the castle chapel of Saint-Florentin. Its three-bay nave, semicircular choir, crypt and rib vaults define its architectural character. The building’s history and design can be considered together: its origins are linked to the site of the castle chapel, while the nave, choir and vaults describe the structure of the church.
Saint-Joseph can also be placed in its historical context: the church was built in 1855–1856 and consecrated in 1859. It has a nave, two side aisles, two east-facing chapels, a crypt and a bell tower. The descriptions highlight different features: Notre-Dame’s choir shape and rib vaults, and Saint-Joseph’s side aisles, the orientation of its chapels and its bell tower.
Houses and places of remembrance
The Maison Renaissance, also known as the Maison du Bailli, dates from the mid-16th century. The two-storey building is made of dressed stone blocks and features stringcourses. Alongside the churches, it provides another example of local architecture from an earlier building period.
A memorial plaque marks the birthplace of the writer Edmond Haraucourt in Bourmont. The town’s historic buildings also include the former convent of the Annonciades, founded in 1663, and the former college of the Trinitarians, founded in 1707. The entrance portal of the former college’s chapel features the Tuscan order. These places offer ways to explore Bourmont’s architectural and literary history.
The Maison Biganzoli hosts exhibitions on Bourmont’s history and cultural identity. The exhibition programme may change; check in advance which displays will be on during your visit.
Rocky landscapes and hiking
Parc des Roches stretches along the foot of a limestone cliff and offers a viewpoint over the Meuse Valley. Avenues of lime trees line the plateau of the Promenade du CĂ´na. Here, views of the rocks and valley contrast with a plateau promenade shaded by lime trees.
The La Bove et le CĂ´na loop leaves Bourmont through Parc des Roches and leads to the Promenade du CĂ´na. It also passes the La Bove cave, carved into a rock face. The cave probably sheltered people in prehistoric times. Allow three hours for this hike, and check local trail conditions before setting off.
Planning your stay
When planning your trip, you can weigh up a focus on architectural history against a stay that includes the three-hour loop as a fixed part of your itinerary. If you are looking for a hotel in Bourmont, first decide which focus should shape your stay. For cycling travellers, Bourmont’s proximity to EuroVelo 19 – La Meuse à Vélo is another factor to consider when choosing a destination.
Discover more destinations: Arc-En-Barrois, Thonnance Les Moulins, Coublanc, Piépape, Vitry-Lès-Nogent, Langres, Chantraines, Rochetaillée.
For the regional travel overview: Haute-Marne.
