Folembray combines a specific motorsport offering with traces of the former glassworks and a connection to the forest. Other features include a former railway line now used for walks and the Église Saint-Pierre with its stained-glass windows. When planning your stay, it helps to distinguish between these different highlights: driving experiences and karting are separate activities, while the railway line, forest and glassworks history offer different points of interest for a stay.
Motorsport: Driving Experiences and Karting
Folembray Arena offers driving experiences in single-seaters powered by Formula Renault or Formula 4 engines. Karting is another option, on a kart track with three layouts ranging from 680 to 820 metres. The two activities therefore differ in format: one is a driving experience in a formula single-seater, while the other is karting on a track with several layout options. If motorsport is what brings you to Folembray, you can first choose the activity you prefer; for karting, you can also choose from three track lengths.
The Circuit de Folembray opened in 1975 and was one of the few race circuits in northern France. Motorsport here therefore encompasses both the Arena’s driving formats and a historic race circuit. The opening of the Circuit and the Arena’s offering are separate points in time.
Forest and Historic Routes
The northern half of Folembray includes part of the Coucy-Basse state forest; the forest extends to the first buildings around the former glassworks. The municipal area also contains the Natura 2000 SIC site “Massif forestier de Saint-Gobain.” The Sessile Oak known as Chêne du Père Augustin is also found in the Coucy-Basse state forest. This gives the area two specific natural points of interest: a protected-site designation and an individual tree.
The former railway line also connects local history with a present-day visitor interest: it served the glassworks, is now suitable for walks and leads to the forest massif. This provides a historic link to the line’s former purpose as you head into the countryside, in addition to the forest destination.
Glassworks and Local History
The former royal glassworks operated from 1705 to 1952. In Folembray, a mini-museum explores its history through two display cases. It can be visited during town hall opening hours. Check those hours before your visit if you would like to include the museum in your plans.
Church and Stained Glass
The Église Saint-Pierre de Folembray was rebuilt in the Romanesque style after 1918. Its stained-glass windows were made by Parisian glass artist Raphaël Lardeur. The choir windows depict Folembray’s glassworkers and their families offering themselves to the Sacred Heart of Jesus. The inclusion of families extends the subject beyond the individual workers to include their relatives as well. The church thus brings together architecture, stained glass and religious imagery that also portrays local glassworkers.
Discover more destinations: Maissemy, Guignicourt, Montigny-Lengrain, Marchais, Ohis, Beaulne, Besmé, Autreppes.
For the broader travel overview: Aisne.
