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Margaux GenermontDiscovering the charming village of Montchauvet
Chosen in 2017 to represent the Île-de-France region in the show "Le Village préféré des Français" (The French People's Favorite Village), Montchauvet is a small village with many charms. Between its historical remains, its peaceful streets perfect for strolling, and its surrounding nature that evolves harmoniously with the seasons, Montchauvet will captivate you for a day in the heart of the Vaucouleurs Valley.
This village seems frozen in time. At the confluence of the Houville stream and the Vaucouleurs River, its history begins in the 10th century . It was likely the Benedictine monks of Pontlevoy Abbey who built the lower part of the village, before it expanded and became recognized as a truly strategic location. Under the impetus of King Louis VI the Fat and Amaury de Montfort, the village was transformed into a fortress. It was surrounded by walls, and a keep was built to reinforce the border with the English. In fact, the Brittany Gate, the only remaining vestige of the town's fortifications, which once had four gates, faced west to repel any English attack.
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Built in the same period, the Sainte-Marie-Madeleine Church does not go unnoticed! In the 1900s, after the separation of church and state, the building became the property of the village which could not maintain it. The church is decaying to the point of having a tree lodged in the bell tower! Then, to make matters worse, lightning struck the tree, making a hole in the church. The army, called to destroy the part which was in danger of collapsing, loaded too heavily with explosives and caused the vault of the nave to collapse. It is currently still in the open air, giving a certain charm to this religious building, don't you think?
As you stroll through the Montecalvétian nature, admire the famous Romanesque bridge painted in particular by Marc Chagall. Contemporary with the new town, it crosses the ru des 3 Fontaines and the ru d'Houville to open the first communication route towards Dammartin-en-Serve.
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Montchauvet attracts novelists (J. Richepin), painters (M. Chagall) and filmmakers (C. Chabrol) who appreciate its picturesque character. In the footsteps of these artists, walk along the streets lined with half-timbered or stone houses and go down to the washhouse, a vestige of a place long occupied by the local washerwomen. Now, its banks are developed and constitute an ideal spot for a picnic.
If you prefer to have lunch in the comfort of a restaurant, we recommend La Jument Verte . Located on the church square, you will enjoy high-quality, seasonal French cuisine!
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After your lunch break, follow the Montchauvet hiking trail to discover the landscapes surrounding the village. Wooded areas, wet meadows, grain fields, and pastures complete the picture-postcard image of this charming community. Finally, for heritage enthusiasts, take a look at our Wivisites Guide dedicated to the village. It provides more historical details about Montchauvet!
