The best MTB trails around Saint-Augustin

Centuries ago, our ancestors discovered how to harness the power of the elements – which, while helpful and useful, could also be a threat as untamed natural forces – for various purposes, thus eliminating the need for human or animal muscle power. A good example of the engineering skills of earlier generations are mills like these: the heavy millstones, used for grinding grain or pressing oil, could be powered by wind or – as in this case – water.

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Treat yourself to a well-deserved break at the picnic area near the Montcet washhouse, on the banks of the Aubetin. With its three tables set in a calm and natural setting, this space is the ideal place to eat in complete tranquility. Enjoy the serenity of the place, between the murmur of the water and the freshness of the environment, to regain your strength before continuing on your way.

Located a few steps from a bend in the Grand Morin, the Collegiate Church of Notre-Dame-de-l'Assomption, in the former hamlet of La Chapelle-sur-Crécy, is reputed to be the second most beautiful church in Brie. Just after the imposing Saint-Etienne Cathedral in Meaux Built in the 13th century, it has unique architectural elements such as an apse vault composed of 12 branches that gives a lot of lightness to the interior of the building. With a total height of 19m under the keystone, the walls of the building have three successive rows of windows and stained glass windows, giving the interior of the building an incomparable luminosity. Located on the edge of the old Nationale 34, the royal road, the Collegiate Church of Notre-Dame-de-l'Assomption still dominates the valley of the Grand Morin and the small washhouse of the Vaudessard stream. Rarely open to the public, even if its interior remains visible, it occasionally serves as a concert hall.

Right in the city center, entering the “Ferme Jehan de Brie” cheese dairy is like entering the cheese paradise of Seine-et-Marne. The family cheese factory rigorously selects no less than 300 protected designation of origin cheeses, farm and artisanal from the region, as well as numerous cheese-based specialties. To complete your shopping, discover their selection of local products and delicatessens: Meaux mustard, Briard shortbread, Brie beers, etc. Preparation of cheese platters and baskets of local products.

Menhir of Pierrefitte 3 m high is known under the name of Saint-Aubierge gable or Saint Flodoberthe. These names testify to the Christianization of pagan sacred places during the early Middle Ages. According to the legend Saint FlodoBerthe, a nun from Faremoutiers Abbey in the 7th century decided to establish a chapel between Faremoutiers and Saintes. Not finding a stone to carry out her project, she shared her wish with her sister Sainte Aubierge, the latter brought back the menhir in her apron, the shape of which evokes a church gable, she let go of the corner of her apron and the stone stuck. in the Maillard pond in its current place.

The menhir is made up of a large sandstone slab 3.50 m high with a width at the base of 2.40 m and an average thickness of 0.50 m. It has an oblique groove approximately 2 m long by 4 cm wide on its face and obtained by staking to a depth of 1 cm. An excavation carried out at the foot of the menhir did not yield any archaeological material2. Sainte-Flodoberthe and her sister Sainte-Aubierge both built their respective chapels in Amillis and Saint-Augustin. Sainte-Flodoberthe having finished building hers wanted to offer a beautiful stone to her sister but on the way she met the latter who came to tell her that she had also completed her project. Sainte-Flodoberthe then abandoned the stone on the spot. As for the groove, it would have been made by the handle of Sainte-Flodoberthe's distaff which spun while walking with the stone under her arm2. Source: https://fr.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pierre-Fitte_(Beautheil)