The Autumn Valley: a natural setting with 35 bell towerss
The Automne Valley takes its name from the eponymous river and rises near Villers-Cotterêts. It runs for 35 kilometers through the canton of Crépy-en-Valois before flowing into the Oise River upstream of Verberie.
This river winds through a rural valley, offering landscapes of wheat fields, meadows, marshes and poplar groves, while passing through picturesque villages.
A unique geological landscape
The Automne River has carved out a spectacular valley by cutting through the stone benches and then into the underlying sand and clay layers of the Cuisien. This geological phenomenon has created what experts call a "canyon valley," with its steep and impressive walls. This exceptional natural setting gives the valley a unique character in the region.
The proximity of the Oise River, a waterway leading to Paris, as well as the richness of the soil, the presence of water, and the proximity of forests, favored the rapid and early development of the Automne Valley. These favorable conditions explain the emergence and proliferation of numerous villages along its course, shaping the economic face of the region over the centuries.
A rich religious heritage
Nicknamed the “valley of 35 bell towers”, the Vallée de l’Automne is marked by a rich religious heritage.
While walking along its roads, visitors can admire Romanesque and Gothic churches, chapels and abbeys that appear around each village. These churches, mainly built in the 12th centurye century, are the work of quarrymen, stonemasons and masons who gave the valley a unique character. The Vallée de l'Automne is also a place of historical memory, where Gallo-Roman ruins, medieval abbeys, manors and castles coexist harmoniously with the surrounding nature.
A historical memory
Iconic sites such as the Gallo-Roman ruins of Champlieu,Morienval Abbey,Restored Place Abbey and Vez Dungeon testify to the importance of the valley through the ages.
While exploring the Vallée de l'Automne, visitors can take the time to stop in the many small villages, admire their churches, and, with a little luck, hear the sound of bells still ringing in these historic villages. It's a true journey into the past, through bucolic landscapes and unspoiled nature.
Discover the Autumn Valley through a hike
Accessible on foot or by bike, the "Bells in the Autumn Valley" hike will allow you to discover the region's varied landscapes. The shorter 9km version, or the longer 13.5km version, follows the Automne River, starting from Fresnoy-la-Rivière.
