Fontaine-Sur-Maye brings together expansive open countryside, village views and traces of history. The landscape changes over the course of the seasons and depending on the crops grown, so the surroundings are not an unchanging backdrop. The Maye also rises here: it is a 37.7-kilometre coastal river that flows into the Somme. This combination of an agricultural landscape, a river and small-scale cultural heritage gives visitors several specific points of interest during their stay. Those who choose Fontaine-Sur-Maye can take in its landscape, village character and history, rather than focusing on just one feature.
Open Countryside and Historic Routes
The open countryside is a defining feature of Fontaine-Sur-Maye. Its expanses remain, while the seasons and crops change the landscape. The time of year when you experience the surroundings is therefore part of their changing character. The agricultural tracks offer views across the wider landscape. The Chaussée Brunehaut provides another point of interest: this ancient route lies in the northern part of the municipality and is now used as a walking path. Its former character as a Roman road and its current use as a walking path represent two different periods. If you are interested in landscapes and historic routes, two clearly distinct features stand out: the open fields and an ancient route that is now used for walks.
Views of the Valley and Village
Two named viewpoints offer different perspectives. At the junction of Petite rue de Crécy and Rue d’en Haut, you can look out over the Maye Valley. From the church square, by contrast, the view looks down over houses and pastureland. The first viewpoint focuses on the valley; the second brings buildings and pastureland into the same view. The RD 56 is also relevant for finding your way around: it crosses Fontaine-Sur-Maye from east to west and runs through the village centre. The road forms an axis through the village, while the two viewpoints each highlight their own subjects. This makes it possible to experience the valley, village and pastureland as distinct views.
Architectural Styles and Memorials
The architectural features can also be distinguished precisely. Fontaine-Sur-Maye church features Flamboyant Gothic architecture, and its bell tower is covered in slate. A square dovecote is attached to the main building and has a four-sided slate roof. The Marian oratory consists of a brick niche and a statue of the Virgin Mary. These details offer visitors interested in culture different scales to explore, from the architectural classification of the church to smaller structures in the village. The stone war memorial to the First World War is surrounded by wrought-iron railings. Several wrought-iron crosses stand on the outskirts of the settlements and at crossroads. Together, these examples represent different aspects of the village landscape: religious architecture, individual structures and remembrance of the First World War.
Other Historic Sites Nearby
The nearby Site de la Bataille de Crécy offers panoramic views from a wooden observation tower. The tower and the view belong to this nearby site, not to a viewpoint in the village. Another memorial is located within the municipality of Estrées-les-Crécy. The memorial cross on the RD 56 towards Fontaine-Sur-Maye commemorates Jean de Luxembourg and his heroic death when he came to the aid of Philip VI, King of France, at the Battle of Crécy. The cross is in Estrées-les-Crécy; the road and the direction towards Fontaine-Sur-Maye provide further location context. This allows you to distinguish Fontaine-Sur-Maye’s village views and architectural features from the historic memorial sites nearby, and to choose which subjects you would like to explore during your stay.
Discover more destinations: Nesle, Ergnies, Béhen, Saint-Valery-Sur-Somme, Nampont, Breuil, Sourdon, Tœufles
See the broader travel guide: Somme.
