Contre can be viewed from two perspectives: as part of a designated landscape area and through a specific work of art in the church. The Vallée des Parquets defines its natural character; the trail of the same name follows the river, ponds and forest. In the church, the Mise au tombeau represents a different focus, on art history. This contrast can help you decide whether to give greater emphasis to the landscape or cultural heritage during your stay.

Landscape and trail

The landscape area of the Vallées des Evoisons, de la Poix et des Parquets, designated as exemplary, includes Contre. The Vallée des Parquets is 8 kilometres long and, at 150 metres, has the greatest difference in elevation among the valleys mentioned. These measurements describe different characteristics: eight kilometres refers to its length, while 150 metres refers to the difference in elevation. Together, they give a concise impression of the valley’s extent and relief without conflating these two measurements.

The “La vallée des Parquets” trail starts at Place de la mairie in Contre. The trail description was updated on 29 June 2025. Along the way, river, ponds and forest follow one another; the route passes through the Bois des Alleux and returns to its starting point. This connects the starting point in the village with a route that takes in several landscape features in a single loop. For orientation, the description can be followed both by its named starting point and by the return route.

The trail also passes through Brassy, where it is possible to return to Contre. In Courcelles-sous-Thoix, the route passes a 17th-century château. Near the cemetery, it goes past a 19th-century chapel. These points add named landmarks to the route: Brassy marks a possible return, while the château and chapel are historic buildings along the way. The trail can therefore be distinguished not only by its natural surroundings, but also by the places and buildings mentioned.

Artwork in the church

The oldest Mise au tombeau in the Somme department is in the church of Contre. The work is carved from a single stone; A. Goze gives the year 1484 as its date. A Mise au tombeau depicts the burial of Christ. Three distinct details can therefore be distinguished about this work: its standing in the department, its material and the date given by A. Goze. It thus offers a specific subject, a material feature and an attributed date as points of reference for its cultural context.

This provides a clear distinction when choosing a focus: the trail can be understood through its route, the return journey and the possibility of returning via Brassy; for the Mise au tombeau, the subject, material and date given by A. Goze are key. The measurements of the Vallée des Parquets, in turn, describe the landscape area and provide a different kind of orientation from the details about the trail. If you would like to plan your trip around a particular interest, these offer two perspectives on Contre: landscape and art history.

Discover more destinations: Sentelie, Forest-L'abbaye, Moyenneville, Drucat, Fort-Mahon-Plage, Nibas, Villers-Bocage, Omiécourt

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