Press Contact: DOUG GOODMAN PUBLIC RELATIONS – Tel 0208 ...

Press Contact:
DOUG GOODMAN PUBLIC RELATIONS – Tel 0208 614 1448 – info@douggoodmanpr.com
Sarah FLOOK - Champagne-Ardenne Tourist Board - Tel 00 33 (0)3 26 21 95 82 - flook@tourisme-champagne-ardenne.com

C O N T E N T S
Champagne-Ardenne, land of exploration and enchantment .................................................................................. 4
NEW IN 2010 ........................................................................................................................................................... 5
Wolves at Nocturnia, Perching Champagne Bar, Renoir Site, Metallurgic Park
HISTORY AND CULTURE ...................................................................................................................................... 6
Castles and fortifications
Sedan Fortress, Rocroi, Charlemont Fortress, Montmort Chateau,
Cirey-sur-Blaise Chateau, Bligny Chateau, Langres
Memory and History
Museums: Marne 14-18, Pompelle Fort, War and Peace Museum, Surrender Museum
Monuments and memorials: Charles de Gaulle Memorial, Dormans, Mondement, Marfaux,
Villy-la-Ferté Fort, Russian Chapel, Treasure: The Great War Circuit of the Marne
Great Men: Voltaire, Renoir, Verlaine, Rimbaud, de Gaulle
Churches and abbeys
Clairvaux Abbey, Auberive Abbey, Reims Cathedral, L’Epine Basilica, Asfeld Church,
Fortified Churches Trail, Half-Timbered Churches Trail
THE MAIN TOWNS AND THEIR HERITAGE ....................................................................................................... 14
Reims, Epernay, Châlons-en-Champagne, Troyes, Charleville-Mézières, Langres, Chaumont
Treasure: treasure hunt to discover the heritage in Hautvillers and Essoyes
WILD NATURE, TAMED NATURE ....................................................................................................................... 18
Fauna, flora and natural sites:
The stag’s mating call, common cranes, boars, land of orchids, the “Faux de Verzy”,
the Great Lakes (Lac du Der and Orient Lake), The Porcien Trail
Treasure: The Legends of the Meuse and Semoy Trail
Flowers and gardens:
France’s No. 1 “Region in Bloom”, Le Grand Jardin, the three Jards, La Presle Botanical
Garden, Marnay/Seine Botanical Garden
ACTIVITIES AND DISCOVERIES ......................................................................................................................... 22
Walking and hiking
Water activities: on the shores of the lakes, navigable waterways, fishing
Recreational activities: Terraltitude, Chêne Perché, Nigloland, unusual
CHAMPAGNE AND FLAVOURS .......................................................................................................................... 27
Gastronomy: deli products, specialties, cheese, sweets
Champagne, regional still wine, whisky
FESTIVALS AND EVENTS IN 2010 ..................................................................................................................... 32
USEFUL ADDRESSES ......................................................................................................................................... 38
3

CHAMPAGNE-ARDENNE, LAND OF EXPLORATION AND ENCHANTMENT
Champagne-Ardenne lies on the Belgian Border in Northeast France and is made up of four richly varied
departments: Ardennes, Marne, Aube and Haute-Marne.
History has marked the region, from the coronation of the Kings of France in Reims to the Battle of the Ardennes in
1940. From the late 12 th to 14 th centuries the Fairs of Champagne were a major trading point between northern and
southern Europe. Today the region’s outstanding wine has made Champagne-Ardenne world famous, contributing
to France’s reputation for good living and stirring our imagination.
Champagne-Ardenne, ideally located at the gateway to the Paris region and near northern Alsace and Belgium,
offers a wide range of options perfect for weekend breaks or longer trips, including cities, towns, museums, historic
castles, Champagne producers open to the public, wild natural landscapes, hiking, water sports, fishing and cycling.
The region is an easy 3-hour drive down the A26 motorway from Calais and
has excellent train links: via Eurostar from London to Paris andthe TGV(high
speed train) from Paris (Gare de l’Est) to Reims in just 45 minutes.
Five other towns in the region are on the TGV route: Châlons-en-Champagne,
Vitry le François, Rethel, Charleville-Mézières and Sedan.
Meanwhile, the new TGV Champagne-Ardenne station 5km from Reims has
direct connections to Charles de Gaulle Airport TGV (30mins), Marne la Vallée TGV (for Disneyland Paris - 30mins)
and Paris Gare de l’Est (40mins), and opens up access to Bordeaux, Lyon, Rennes, Lille, Strasbourg, Lorraine and
a dozen destinations in Germany, Switzerland and Luxembourg.
New sources of visitor information
Themed brochures:
The Regional Tourist Board has produced 8 themed brochures to help visitors explore the
region depending on their interests. Each brochure offers a selection of sites by theme and
holiday suggestions. They are as follows:
“Walking, Cycling and Horse riding” “Flora & Fauna”
“Parks & Gardens” “Traditional Crafts & Skills”
“Châteaux & Fortresses” “Churches and Abbeys”
“Memory & History” “Water: sport & relaxation”
The brochures, which have won awards for their creativity, are available free from the
Regional Tourist Board or can be easily downloaded from the web site:
www.tourisme-champagne-ardenne.com.
The website : completely overhauled in 2009, users can search practical information,
ideas for short breaks and holidays and ‘treasures’ suggested by the Regional Tourist
Board.
A dedicated press section for media professionals features press kits and news releases from the regions and
their partners. In addition, a photo library offers free access to images.
2 new interactive features…
Offering an original and enjoyable way of exploring the tourist attractions of the region, Champagne-
Ardenne Tourism has introduced a new source of information : downloadable audio mini-guides. Visitors can easily
learn about the Champagne region and its heritage in just a few minutes with a choice of tourist and historic
commentaries, interviews and even literary references.
A new way to learn about the main sites of Reims, Charleville-Mézières, Langres and Troyes: 4 virtual visits
created by photography artist Katia COLLINET (a specialist in 360° tours) including additional information and
musical accompaniment. ONLY AVAILABLE IN FRENCH.
Accessible from the following sections: home page / History & Patrimony / Historic Sites / Town Walks
4

NEW IN 2010
• In the Ardennes… WOLVES AT NOCTURNIA (Olizy-Primat)
Few animals have captured the fantasies or primaeval fears of men like the wolf, the wild relative of our faithful
companion, the domestic dog. To help unravel the mysteries of this ‘Lord of the Night’, le Centre d’Interprétation de
la Nature in Argonne Ardennaise, welcomes its first three wolves this Spring. Bound to cause a stir, they should no
longer be considered the enemies of mankind but rather as the future ambassadors of nature in harmony.
While waiting to welcome this fascinating predator, known for its intelligence and quick-wittedness, the park is
organising a programme of themed events to uncover its world, including documentaries, puppetry, workshops,
face-painting activities and seminars.
The wolves are expected in Spring 2010.
More Information: Nocturnia – Tel: 03 24 71 07 38 – www.nocturnia.fr
• In the Marne… The PERCHING BAR (Verzy)
A unique new Champagne bar is soon to open in the heart of the Arboxygène leisure park at Verzy: 5.5 metres up
in the trees, this is a new highlight for the Marne. It’s bound to delight lovers of ecology and wine alike by offering a
choice of champagnes from the Grandes Maisons and vineyards of the region.
Planned to open Spring 2010
More Information: Olivier Couteau
Tel: 06 89 44 73 68 / 06 07 67 94 42
olivier.couteau@arboxygene.eu – www.arboxygene.eu
• In the Aube… « DU COTE DES RENOIR » (Essoyes) – Reopening in 2011
The village of Essoyes has been developing this important cultural and tourist attraction, "Du côté des Renoir” (In
the presence of Renoir) since 2007. Drawn by the famous name of Renoir, visitors can discover more about the
artist and his family, as well as this particular period of history in Essoyes. Gradually, they will learn about the role
played by Aline Charigot, Gabrielle, his children and the village itself, in the family life and works of Renoir. The
second half of the painter’s career culminated in the creation of a type of female figure, owing much to Aline
Charigot.
Entering the ‘Espace Renoir’, featuring displays about the Renoir family, visitors stroll through the village that the
painter loved so much. Passing Gabrielle’s house, or crossing the Ource, a stream which runs through the town,
they make their way to the artist’s studio, now restored to its original condition, and the impressionist garden in
which it stands.
Visitors complete their discovery of the world of Renoir by strolling along one of the four marked footpaths and
admiring the countryside which Renoir recorded on canvas. Several reproduction paintings will be on display en
route.
Opening of the garden and studio planned for Spring 2010 / Opening of the ‘Espace Renoir’ expected Autumn 2010
More Information: Karine Rémy – Tel: 03 25 29 10 94 – www.renoir-aube-champagne.com
• In Haute-Marne… METALLURGIC PARK, THE HISTORY OF MAN AND IRON
(Vallée de la Blaise)
The result of a public-private partnership established in 2006, The Metallurgic Park reveals the secrets and
expertise of metal working industries in the Pays Nord Haut-Marnais and Sud Meusien. The park has four sites.
The largest is at Dommartin-le-Franc on the site of an old blast furnace where a ‘sound and light show depicts the
history of 25 centuries of metal working. In the Coal Hall visitors explore an interactive display and learn about the
history of cast-iron art in the Haute-Marne and the high level of expertise achieved by metal workers in the area.
Opening expected July 2010
More information: www.metallurgicpark.com
5

HISTORY & CULTURE
6

HISTORY & CULTURE
• CASTLES AND FORTIFICATIONS
• FORTRESS OF SEDAN
Set in the Ardennes, Sedan is classed as a “Town of Art and History”, for its rich historical and architectural heritage, the legacy
of a long military past, and the beauty of its landscapes. Over the centuries, Sedan developed around the fortified castle,
majestically overlooking the town, on the banks of the River Meuse at the very heart of the Ardennes. Dating from the 15th
century, Sedan’s fortified castle is the largest in Europe (35,000 sq m). With its strategic position on the frontier of eastern
France, the castle was continually added to, strengthened and modernised by the powerful La Marck family, Dukes of Bouillon
and Sovereign Princes of Sedan.
Today a listed building, it unveils its history, taking visitors back to the Middle Ages and the time when Sedan was a Principality.
It recounts the lives of both the Princes of Sedan and their soldiers and servants, through an animated tour with detailed
reconstructions of scenes from everyday life.
Sedan Tourist Office – Tel: 00 33 (0)3 24 27 73 73 – www.sedan-bouillon.com (in French only)
• FORTRESS OF CHARLEMONT
From high up on its limestone spur, the fortress of Charlemont overlooks the town of Givet. It was to defend this section of the
River Meuse that, in 1555, Charles Quint had the fort built by a workforce of 3 000 – protected by 20 000 foot soldiers and 3 000
horsemen! Louis XIV seized it in 1678 and from 1680, Vauban undertook fortifications to enlarge the area by adding ramparts.
The two original bastions and ramparts can be visited. The blockhouses, powder magazine, prison and imposing gallery of the
outer walls are characteristic of military architecture of the period. The views from the top of the fort are exceptional, with the
River Meuse and Givet at one’s feet, and from the tip of the eastern bastion a glimpse of Dinant, a little enclave of the Ardennes
in the Belgian province of Namur, just 20 km away.
Fortress of Charlemont – Tel: 00 33 (0)3 24 42 06 84 - www.valdardennetourisme.com (in French only)
• CHÂTEAU OF MONTMORT
Rebuilt on the foundations and ruins of an ancient fortress, the château of Montmort is said to be an architectural feat which has
also retained its feudal appearance. Atop this imposing brick structure, four slate-covered towers rise up from a 14-metre-high
flat roof, on the edge of a rock face overlooking the River Surmelin. Access is gained from the yard – on horseback! – via a
helical inner ramp around a spiral staircase – a rarity not to be missed. Set in 30 hectares of grounds full of trees and flowers, it
still belongs to the descendants of Pierre de Rémond, who acquired it in 1704.
Château of Montmort Lucy – Tel: 00 33 (0)3 26 52 76 51 – www.montmort.com (in French only)
• CHATEAU OF CIREY- SUR-BLAISE
Enraptured by the beautiful Émilie du Châtelet, the philosopher Voltaire quickly succumbed to the charms of the yet unfinished
manor. Together, they planned, transformed and improved the house. Voltaire had a new wing built, decorated with a
monumental door whose carvings evoke the Arts, the Sciences and nautical life.
Voltaire spent 15 years at Cirey, writing without let-up (works including La mort de César, Alsire, Zaïre Mahomet and Mérope).
His comedies and tragedies were acted out by his friends on the stage of the little theatre he set up under the eaves, still
beautifully preserved today. From this haven of fine art, Voltaire kept in touch with the whole of Europe through his countless
letters. In 1749, the sudden death of the Marquise du Châtelet separated Voltaire forever from his earthly paradise. A visit to the
chateau is a chance to immerse oneself in the everyday life of these two key figures from the Age of the Enlightenment.
Open from May to September. (See also “Great Men” - Voltaire)
Château of Cirey-sur-Blaise – Tel: 00 33 (0)3 25 55 43 04 – www.visitvoltaire.com
• CHÂTEAU OF BLIGNY
While the lords of Bligny – the sires de Chacenay – go as far back as the 12 th century, it was the Marquis of Dampierre who had
the château built in the 17 th century, not far from the sources of the River Landion, on a hillside particularly well suited to vinegrowing.
Still inhabited today, the property can nevertheless be visited, starting with the salons, which house a collection of
1,000 fine-crystal flutes! The majestic cellars house an ecomuseum with a collection of tools and machinery used at the turn of
the last century to work the champagne vineyards. A film illustrates the subject presenting both the vineyards and the
techniques used in the production of champagne… whose quality you may judge for yourself with a free tasting at the end of
your visit.
Château de Bligny – Tel: 00 33 (0)3 25 27 40 11 – www.champagnechateaudebligny.com
7

HISTORY & CULTURE
• ROCROI
Built in 1555, the stronghold of Rocroi in the Ardennes was the second fortified town to be equipped with a bastioned wall. This
five-fronted pentagon was later strengthened over the centuries, but was built to stand up against the powerful fortress of
Charlemont, built by Charles Quint in Givet, at that time under Spanish domination. At the end of the 17 th century, Vauban
added a series of improvements to the star ramparts. Having become totally unsuited to 20 th -century military methods, the
fortress was dismantled in 1889, but nearly all its ramparts were preserved.
Rocroi Tourist Office – Tel: 00 33 (0)3 24 54 20 06 – www.otrocroi.com
• LANGRES
With its high ramparts, imposing towers and many steeples, Langres looks like a proud fortress guarding the gateway to
Champagne and Burgundy. The last witness to changes in military technology defending this rocky spur, the town was
probably fortified in the third century. In the fourth century, during the troubled times of the Lower Empire, Langres saw its
first fortifications rise to the north and became the seat of an important bishopric. In the 13 th and 14 th centuries the walls were
adapted to the town’s growth, with new quarters to the south. Until the Revolution, the town grew under the burghers’ impetus
and bishops with sweeping powers ruled the diocese. In the 15 th century, Langres became a fortified royal town on the edges of
the Kingdom of France, facing Burgundy, Franche-Comté and Lorraine.
Langres Tourist Office – Tel: 00 33 (0)3 25 87 67 67 – www.tourisme-langres.com
Other castles and tourist routes suggestions are featured in the brochure “Chateaux & Fortresses” published by
Champagne-Ardenne Tourism.
8

HISTORY & CULTURE
• MEMORY AND HISTORY
• MUSEUMS
• WAR AND PEACE MUSEUM
For over a century, from the defeat of Imperial France at Sedan in 1870 to the famous German breakthrough of 1940, the
Ardennes was the scene of military operations upon which the destiny of France depended. This departmental museum
illustrates this dramatic period of history, through a joint approach to the three conflicts that is unique in France. With a new
area of 4,000 sq m opening in June 2009, the museum will take visitors on a journey in which the lines between war and peace
are blurred. Each scene is accompanied by a video that explains the historical context. A more sociological approach to the
conflicts is also offered. A series of displays retrace the evolution of military equipment and weaponry from 1850 to 1945.
Musée Guerre et Paix en Ardennes - Novion-Porcien – Tel: 00 33 (0)3 24 72 69 50
• MARNE 14-18 - INTERPRETATION CENTRE OF THE GREAT WAR
This Marne museum is set in the heart of the Champagne Front, an area which saw fighting throughout the First World War. It
was designed to be an important testament to the Great War, and as the starting point for a tour of places of remembrance, Sur
les Pas des Armées de Champagne (‘In the Footsteps of the Armies of Champagne’). Visitors have access to a reception and
documentation area, seven modules and a projection room.
Marne 14-18 - Suippes – Tel: 00 33 (0)3 26 70 08 60 – www.marne14-18.fr
• POMPELLE FORT
Built after the war of 1870 to strengthen the fortifications around Reims, the Fort de la Pompelle was later the scene of a
number of battles in the First World War. Now converted into a museum, the fort evokes the conflict through documents of the
period, objects from daily life in the trenches, weaponry and artillery pieces. It houses a collection of over 500 Imperial German
Army helmets (the Charles Friese Collection) that is unique in the world.
Fort de la Pompelle (5km from Reims) – Tel: 00 33 (0)3 26 49 11 85 – www.cheminsdememoire.gouv.fr
• MUSEUM OF GERMAN SURRENDER
In February 1945, General Eisenhower set up the Supreme Headquarters of the Allied Expeditionary Force in Europe at Reims,
in a large school building close to the railway station. Its war room was to be the scene for the signing of the unconditional
surrender of the German armies, on 7 May 1945 at 2.41am, bringing the Second World War to a close in Europe. The news
was announced in the Allied capitals the following day, 8 May, at 3pm. However, at the request of Stalin, a second ceremony
was held in the Soviet zone of Berlin, on 9 May. The Museum was completely refurbished in 2005, for the 60 th anniversary of
German capitulation. Preserved as it was then, the map room has a unique, highly-charged atmosphere. The projection of
archive footage, period objects, mannequins and scale models, show how this is indeed a place steeped in history.
Musée de la Reddition du 7 mai 1945 – Tel: 00 33 (0)3 26 47 84 17 / 00 33 (0)3 26 85 23 36
• MONUMENTS AND MEMORIALS
• MEMORIAL TO GENERAL DE GAULLE
Leader of the forces of “Free France” during the Second World War, General de Gaulle moved to Colombey-les-deux-Eglises
because the village was halfway between Paris and his garrisons in the East and North. In 1934 De Gaulle set up home at the
La Boisserie estate, a former brasserie, where he died on 9 November 1970. Open to the public since 1979, part of the estate
can be visited. Just nearby is the famous Croix de Lorraine, a cross erected on the highest hilltop in the district of Colombey.
Funded by national subscription and support from over 60 foreign countries, the memorial was inaugurated in 1972. Built of pink
granite 44-metres high, it honours the action of men and their influence on History.
On 11 October 2008, exactly 50 years after the historic meeting between General de Gaulle and Chancellor Konrad Adenauer
in La Boisserie, French President Nicolas Sarkozy and German chancellor Angela Merkel officially inaugurated a new Memorial
dedicated to the life and work of Charles de Gaulle, boasting the latest museum and exhibition facilities. This place of
remembrance helps familiarise visitors with the 20 th century’s most famous Frenchman.
La Boisserie Colombey-les-deux-Eglises – Tel: 00 33 (0)3 25 01 52 52 – www.colombey-les-deux-eglises.com (French only)
La Croix de Lorraine – Tel: 00 33 (0)3 25 27 40 11
Memorial Charles de Gaulle – Tel: 00 33 (0)3 25 30 90 80 –www.memorial-charlesdegaulle.fr/
9

HISTORY & CULTURE
• DORMANS
The Memorial stands on a hillside overlooking the left bank of the Marne and the town of Dormans. When the project to build a
great monument for all the fighting in the Marne was put forward, Marshal Foch chose this site as a compromise between the
locations of the two battles. An association set up by Madame de la Rochefoucauld in 1919 and headed by the cardinal of
Reims and the bishop of Châlons acquired a huge park with a château for the site and the chapel’s cornerstone was laid on 18
July 1920. The architects Marcel and Closson designed the imposing complex. A monumental staircase leads to a large
forecourt with a sundial and an orientation table featuring the names of Marne Valley villages where the 1918 battle took place.
The forecourt gives access to a crypt beneath a church surmounted by a tower and two pinnacles.
Château Park – Tel: 00 33 (0)3 26 57 77 87 – http://memorialdormans.free.fr/
• MONDEMENT
This giant monolith, 35½ metres tall has 22-metre deep foundations and is cast over a metal framework in concrete with pink
aggregate from Moselle … It is the National Monument to the Marne Victory, commemorating the first Battle of the Marne, in
September 1914. Built between 1931 and 1938, under the supervision of architect Paul Bigot, the declaration of war in
September 1939 meant that the official inauguration did not take place until 1951. At the base of the monument, a sculpted basrelief
depicts the effigies of the commanding generals of this first battle. Above, engraved in the stone, is the Order of the Day of
6 September 1914, signed by Joffre.
Mondement Memorial – Tel: 00 33 (0)3 26 81 84 38 / 00 33 (0)3 26 80 51 43 - www.mondement1914.asso.fr
• THE BRITISH CEMETERY IN MARFAUX
The British military cemetery in Marfaux nestles amidst Champagne’s hills and vineyards approximately 20 kilometres
southwest of Reims, next to the German cemetery. This burial ground is the final resting place of 1,129 men who fell in the area
during the summer of 1918, including 1,114 British soldiers and 15 New Zealanders. Visitors can spend a moment of quiet
meditation before the graves as well as the Cross of Sacrifice, Stone of Remembrance, Chapel of the Resurrection and New
Zealand memorial.
www.crdp-reims.fr/memoire/lieux/1GM_CA/cimetieres/britanniques/marfaux.htm (in French only)
• VILLY-LA-FERTE FORT
The area of La Ferté-sur-Chiers was incorporated into the Maginot Line fortification system just before the Second World War
broke out. The site of bitter fighting in May 1940, the fortified complex houses a museum dedicated to the soldiers. The La Ferté
fortification, the last work west of the fortified sector of Montmédy, stands atop a hill called "La Croix de Villy" between the
villages of Villy and La Ferté. Built between 1935 and 1939, it is made up of two combat blocs, one of which still has an antitank
cannon. A monument to the dead commemorates the 104 defenders who made the ultimate sacrifice and lie buried in Villy
National Cemetery.
Villy Town Hall – Tel: 00 33 (0)3 24 27 50 80 or 00 33 (0)3 24 22 61 49
• RUSSIAN ORTHODOX CHAPEL
Built in 1937 close to Saint-Hilaire-le-Grand in the Marne, the Russian Orthodox Chapel watches over the remains of 871
Russian soldiers buried in Champagne-Ardenne, and keeps alive the memory of the 4,000 Russians who died fighting on
French soil between 1916 and 1918.
Russian Orthodox Chapel - Saint Hilaire le Grand – Tel: 00 33 (0)1 45 42 42 96 www.cheminsdememoire.gouv.fr
THE GREAT WAR SITES OF THE MARNE – SPECIAL ROUTE
The Marne is one of the departments that suffered the most during the First World War, particularly in the
west, where the two Battles of the Marne took place, and the north, the scene of trench warfare and the
Argonne and Champagne offensives. Understanding the Great War in the Marne is the goal of this
itinerary, which can be down loaded from www.tourisme-champagne-ardenne.com . Monuments, ruins,
steles and cemeteries bear witness to the fierce fighting, and museums keep alive the memory of the
conflict that ended 92 years ago on 11 November 1918.
The first route (60km): the Battles of the Marne – Mondement (victory of the Marne national monument)
and Dormans (the Battles of the Marne memorial).
The second route (60km): around Reims, the martyred city – The Italian cemetery in Bligny Chambrecy,
the British cemetery in Marfaux, Reims, the German cemetery in Berru and Pompelle Fort.
The third route (40km): Suippes and the Champagne front – Saint Hilaire-le-Grand (the Russian
chapel), Suippes (Marne 14-18 - Interpretation centre) and Souain military cemetery.
Champagne-Ardenne Tourist Board – Tel: 00 33 (0)3 26 21 85 80 – www.tourisme-champagne-ardenne.com
10

HISTORY & CULTURE
• GREAT MEN
• VOLTAIRE AT CIREY-SUR-BLAISE
In 1734, Voltaire was threatened with imprisonment in the Bastille following the publication of his Lettres Philosophiques (or
Letters on the English), in which he praised the English nation and heavily satirised the French way of life. His friend, the
Marquise du Châtelet, gave him refuge at Cirey, close to the still independent Duchy of Lorraine.
Madame Du Châtelet worked hard and was initiated into the world of science by taking lessons with the most enlightened of
minds. Émilie read everything of note in physics and was a great follower of Newton. Although she herself did not come up with
any theories, her intention was to make accessible the scientific works she considered most important to as many people as
possible. A woman with a passion for love, life and studying, Voltaire mourned her loss for many years after her death in 1749.
As he wrote to d’Argentat: “I have lost not a mistress, but half of myself, a soul for which mine own was meant, a friend of
twenty-years’ standing whom I saw born”. (See also “Castles and Forifications” - Château of Cirey-sur-Blaise)
Château of Cirey-sur-Blaise – Tel: 00 33 (0)3 25 55 43 04 – www.visitvoltaire.com
• PIERRE-AUGUSTE RENOIR AT ESSOYES
“I love paintings that make me want to walk in them,” Renoir, the tireless walker, once said. It was a woman who brought
Auguste Renoir to Essoyes. In February 1880, the Impressionist master met Aline Charigot in Paris and she became the
painter’s model. Although Renoir did not marry the young woman until 1890, he followed her to Essoyes. In 1885, Aline
dreamed of making the village of her birth into her family home. For Auguste Renoir, it was love at first sight. He found in this
countryside the peace and tranquillity that would help him pursue his work. His wife’s village simplicity, together with that of its
inhabitants, brought him close to the land and nature, so essential to him. Every summer, he would come to Essoyes to relax
and unwind. And in 1895, just after the birth of his second son, Jean, the film director, Renoir bought a house there, having a
studio built at the bottom of the garden. From then on, the Renoirs spent every summer in Essoyes, sometimes accompanied
by friends. Pierre-Auguste and Aline Renoir are today laid to rest in Essoyes cemetery with their three children, Pierre, Claude
and Jean. The house still belongs to the family but the artist’s studio is open to the public. A new exhibition area and the
impressionist garden will open to visitors in 2010.
Renoir Essoyes – Essoyes Tourist Office – Tel: 00 33 (0)3 25 38 56 28 – www.essoyes.fr
• PAUL VERLAINE
In August 1879, Paul Verlaine left the school of Notre Dame in Rethel, where he had taught since 1877. He had become fond of
a pupil, Lucien Létinois, from Coulommes, a village some 14km from Rethel. Following a brief stay in England, the two returned
to Coulommes. There, “Verlaine rediscovered the French countryside… its peace and quiet, its gentle rhythm, its soothing
horizons. He thought of buying a farm and retiring there to live as a country gentleman: Poet and country squire”. A farm came
up for sale in Juniville, and Verlaine appealed to his mother, who bought it. In March 1880, Létinois moved there, to Rue de
l’Aby. Verlaine rented a house 50 metres from the farm, opposite the Auberge du Lion d’Or which today, restored and
refurbished with the poet’s furniture and objects, is home to the Verlaine Museum. The village inn where the poet would come
and sit, converse, drink, write and draw, at the inn’s long table, is brought to life, full of charm and steeped in the poet’s
presence. Open 1 May to end-October.
Paul Verlaine Museum – Juniville – Tel: 00 33 (0)3 24 39 68 00 / 00 33 (0)3 26 54 48 84 – www.paul-verlaine.com (in French only)
• CHARLES DE GAULLE
Leader of the forces of “Free France” during the Second World War, General de Gaulle moved to Colombey-les-Deux-Eglises
because the village was halfway between Paris and his garrisons in the East and North. In 1934 De Gaulle set up home at the
La Boisserie estate, a former brasserie, where he died on 9 November 1970.
A visit to Boisserie, followed by the Cross of Lorraine and the new memorial to Charles de Gaulle, is now indispensable to
understand the world of this towering figure. (See also “Monuments and Memorials” – Charles de Gaulle).
• ARTHUR RIMBAUD
Overlooking the River Meuse, the museum stands in the vast green space of the Île du Vieux Moulin. The exhibits are part of
Charleville-Mézières’ Rimbaud collection, one of the richest in the world. The Louis XIII-style building brings together objects
and manuscripts, including the sonnet Voyelles (‘Vowels’). Works, photographic reproductions, caricatures and drawings, such
as Fantin-Latour’s sketch Coin de la table, shed light on the poet’s work. The library is home to a rich collection of original
documents and works devoted to the poet. Opposite the museum, the house where Rimbaud lived with his mother is open to
the public.
Rimbaud Museum – Tel: 00 33 (0)3 24 32 44 65
Charleville-Mézières Town Hall – Tel: 00 33 (0)3 25 29 61 34 – www.mairie-charlevillemezieres.fr (in French only)
11

HISTORY & CULTURE
• CHURCHES AND ABBEYS
• CLAIRVAUX ABBEY
The Cistercian monastery of Clairvaux, situated close to Bar-sur-Aube, was founded in 1112 by Saint Bernard de Clairvaux
(1090-1153), a French Cistercian monk, doctor of the Mystical Church and theologian who preached the Second Crusade.
Bernard de Clairvaux played a distinguished role in politics and was one of the greatest figures in the Western Christian spiritual
tradition. Built in the image of the early Cistercian abbeys, and according to the precepts of the order, the abbey-church of
Clairvaux was a modest building devoid of all decoration. Yet, with the rapid success and growth of the early Cistercian
communities, the buildings proved too small, and had to be rebuilt in more durable materials. The monastic buildings, and, in
particular, the church, were rebuilt of stone. The new Roman abbey-church, entirely vaulted, was over 100 metres in length. Its
construction began in 1135. The choir and chevet were finished in 1145, when the church had its first consecration. Yet work
continued on the nave until 1158, by which time plans to enlarge the chevet in Gothic style were already under way.
Construction work was completed by the time of the second consecration in 1174. The destruction of the abbey-church of
Clairvaux after the French Revolution, and the use of the site as a prison from 1808 onwards, have prevented an accurate
reconstruction of the abbey. However, much is known of the abbey from its existing ruins and ancient documents.
Nowadays the Culture and Justice Ministries share the abbey, only part of which is open to the public. Guided tours of the
abbey are organised by the Association Renaissance de l'Abbaye de Clairvaux, for individual tourists, daily from mid-March to
mid-November, except Mondays and Tuesdays.
Abbaye de Clairvaux – Tel: 00 33 (0)3 25 27 52 55 – http://abbaye-clairvaux.barsuraube.net (in French only)
• AUBERIVE ABBEY
In 1135 Saint Bernard and the bishop of Langres, Villain d'Aigrement, founded this old, wealthy abbey on the banks of the Aube
with help from the surrounding lords (the Granceys, Champlittes, Rochetaillées and their vassals). The monastery, which was
particularly prosperous in the 13 th century, suffered heavy damage during the Hundred Years’ War, the 16 th -century wars of
religion and the 17 th -century Thirty Years’ War because it stood on the border between Champagne and Burgundy. The ruins
were partly rebuilt in the 17 th century (cloister) and completed in the 18 th century. In 1790 the monastic orders were abolished
and the abbey was sold as national property. A spinning mill owned by the Vendeul family occupied the east wing from 1797 to
1807 but the business failed and the abbey was turned into a residence. After his parents died, the young Vandeul sold the
abbey to the Bordet forge, which dismantled the 17 th -century church and used the stones to build a blast furnace six kilometres
away at “La Tuillière”. In 1856 a new period opened in connection with the former abbey of Clairvaux, which had been turned
into a prison. In order to ease overcrowding, the Clairvaux penitentiary acquired Auberive and moved its female inmates there.
The most famous one was the Communard Louise Michel, who spent 20 months there between December 1871 and August
1873 before being deported to New Caledonia. Today the site is a listed historic monument open to the public.
Abbaye d’Auberive – Tel: 00 33 (0)3 25 87 67 67 - www.abbaye-auberive.com (in French only)
• REIMS CATHÉDRAL
Unity of style, bathed in light, rich statuary… Built in the 13 th century, the cathedral of Notre Dame de Reims is a masterpiece of
Gothic art and a major achievement of Medieval Europe. Among its 2,303 sculpted motifs, its open-winged angels – including
the famous ‘Smiling Angel’ – are the signature of its unique, exceptional character. Built to host the coronation of the Kings of
France, its nave (115 metres long) and vaults (37.95 metres high) witnessed the crowning of 30 monarchs between 1027 and
1825, from Henry I to Charles X. Damaged by German cannons right from the outbreak of the First World War (September
1914), and bombarded by more than 300 shells during the four years of conflict, the cathedral was restored under the
supervision of architect Henri Deneux, with financial support from generous donors, in particular US foundations (Carnegie,
Ford and Rockefeller).
Reims Tourist Office – Tel: 00 33 (0)3 26 77 45 00 – www.reims-tourisme.com
• L’EPINE BASILICA
The Epine Basilica, which looms over Champagne’s great agricultural plain as big as a cathedral, is a major pilgrimage site.
Standing on a slight elevation, it can be made out for miles around.
The basilica replaced a humble chapel dedicated to Mary that occupied the site around 1200. The oldest document refers to a
bequest of silver for the early chapel by Henri de Courtisols in 1230. The present basilica was probably built after a shepherd
found a miraculous statue of the Virgin in a burning thornbush around 1400 (épine is French for “thorn”). The very pure style
copies 13 th -century Gothic throughout the church except for the first two pillars in the nave. The main material is white and
blond stone from Savonnières en Perthois (Meuse) 65 km away. The secondary material is local Champagne chalk, which is
used in the arches and vaults.
Epine Town Hall – Tel: 00 33 (0)3 26 66 96 99 – http://lepine.nuxit.neet
12

HISTORY & CULTURE
• ASFELD CHURCH
Saint Didier, which dates to the late 17 th century, is one of France’s most unusual churches. In 1680 Jean-Jacques de Mesmes,
the Count of Avaux, a councillor of State and the president of the Parliament of Paris, asked Despert, a mason, to tear down the
old church and build a new one "based on the model and drawing of Mr Fleury" and to follow the orders given "by Master Fleury
and by the friar François Romain, who will supervise the said works’ masonry construction". Asfeld church, which is unique in
France, was built from 1681 to 1685. It is in the Baroque style and features a rotunda and vestibule-porch-tower, which together
form an unusual shape that has been compared to that of a mirror or a viola. The homogeneity of the construction has never
been in doubt but the vestibule-porch-tower, the most original part, seems too narrow in relation to the rotunda, which, with its
five-sided shape and entablature whose concave spaces crown the convex spaces of the apse chapels, is a brilliant piece of
architecture. The roof is unique in the way the vault’s spring points are treated inside.
The Church of Saint Didier, Asfeld - Tel: 00 33 (0)3 24 72 93 18
• THE FORTIFIED CHURCHES OF THIÉRACHE TRAIL
The fortifications of Champagne-Ardenne offer a complete overview of the history of fortifications through a region’s heritage.
From the Gauls to the building of the Maginot Line, Champagne-Ardenne offers many examples. While the best known may be
its chateaux, the fact is that, since the 17 th and 18 th centuries, the people of the region have defended themselves from
mercenary armies by fortifying their homes, farms and churches. A genuine themed tour, the Fortified Churches of Thiérache
Trail invites visitors to discover fortifications that are still visible and accessible to all. From Charleville-Mézières to the border
with the department of Aisne, this waymarked trail forms a 100-mile loop which, set between the forests of Signy-le-Petit and
Signy-l'Abbaye, crosses a patchwork landscape of hills and fields. The rich architectural heritage here is exceptional. Besides
abbeys, chateaux and fortified houses, the 15 fortified churches are impressive examples, with their corner towers, keeps,
arrow slits and bartizans.
Ardennes Tourist Board - Charleville-Mézières – Tel: 00 33 (0)3 24 56 67 77 – www.ardennes.com
THE TIMBER FRAME CHURCH ROUTE
(A new tourist route)
Champagne-Ardenne is home to a group of buildings quite unique in France : a collection of
half-timbered churches. Commonly used in civil architecture, the half-timbered frame is much
rarer in religious architecture (St. Catherine de Honfleur).
These churches are found in the humid crescent of the Champagne region, on clay
undersoil, poor in stone, and covered with forests of oak and alder.
Some are half-timber buildings, others are made entirely of wood. There are 11 of them,
concentrated in the Grands Lacs region of Champagne, near the tourist attractions of the Der
lakes and the Forêt d’Orient.
The itinerary of this eleven stage route (160km) is set out in detail in a 12 page brochure with
maps, which can be downloaded online.
More Information: Champagne-Ardenne Tourisme - Tel: 03 26 21 95 80
www.tourisme-champagne-ardenne.com
More information is available in the “Churches and Abbeys” brochure which can be downloaded from
www.tourisme-champagne-ardenne.com
13

THE MAIN TOWNS
&
THEIR HERITAGE

THE MAIN TOWNS AND THEIR HERITAGE
• REIMS (Marne)
Set beside the champagne vineyards, Reims is a town with a rich history and rural flavour, whose past is marked by important
events in the history of France. The site of the coronation of 33 French kings, from Clovis to Charles X, Reims is classed as a
“Town of Art and History”. Its four UNESCO World Heritage Sites, its many museums, and monuments that bear witness to a
glorious past going back to the Gallo-Roman era, make Reims one of the region’s key attractions. If Reims dazzles visitors with
the beauty of its architecture, its appeal is also owed to the international acclaim of champagne, with such great champagne
houses as Veuve Clicquot, Taittinger, Pommery and Ruinart, a tour of whose cellars makes for a truly magical experience.
Absolutely not to be missed: Notre-Dame Cathedral, a gem of French Gothic architecture, whose magnificent “Smiling Angel”
has become the symbol of the town; the Palais de Tau, former residence of the Archbishop of Reims, which today houses a
museum, the Musée des Oeuvres de la Cathédrale; the Saint Remi Basilica, a marvel of Roman art, which celebrated its
1,000 th birthday in 2007 – here is where the Sainte Ampoule, or ‘Holy Ampulla’, indispensable to the crowning of the kings of
France, was kept up until the French Revolution; and not forgetting the Abbey of Saint Remi, an important landmark in French
history and spiritual life, which houses a very rich museum of history and archaeology.
Reims Tourist Office – Tel: 00 33 (0)3 26 77 45 00 – www.reims-tourisme.com
REIMS, AN ART DÉCO TOWN
At the end of the 1914-18 war, the town of Reims emerged deeply scarred by four years of continuous
conflict; of its 14,000 houses, only 60 remained inhabitable, 80% of the town having been devastated by
the war. But thanks to the rallying of the entire population, together with US aid, the town was rebuilt.
Between 1920 and 1930, no less than 325 firms of architects redesigned a new town, with a wholly
eclectic look, marked, among other styles, by that of Art Deco. Such outstanding works as the Carnegie
library, the façade of the Opéra cinema, the church of Saint-Nicaise and the Grand Théâtre gave a
thoroughly modern look to the town.
• CHALONS-EN-CHAMPAGNE (Marne)
At the heart of Champagne-Ardenne, Châlons-en-Champagne, classed as a “Town of Art and History” in 2007, has long been a
major economic crossroads of northern Europe, due to its strategic position on the River Marne and the Via Agrippa, the Roman
road that linked Rome to Boulogne-sur-Mer. Blessed with very pleasant surroundings, the many canals that criss-cross the town
have earned it the nickname of “Little Venice”. Artistic life is highly developed here, as are traditional crafts, in particular
stonework, sculpture and stained glass. Having preserved its important architectural heritage through the centuries, Châlonsen-Champagne
is a pleasant town to wander around, along streets lined with half-timbered houses or beside the canals that run
through it. Stopping off to rest in its wonderful gardens and green spaces, a visit to the town makes a really relaxing break. The
fine-art and archaeology collections of the Musée des Beaux Arts et d’Archéologie are well worth the detour. Saint Etienne
Cathedral is a fine Gothic structure famed for the splendour of its stained-glass windows, but the stained glass of Notre-Dameen-Vaux,
a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is particularly awe-inspiring. A universally acclaimed treasure, left behind by painterglazier
Mathieu Blèville and his anonymous predecessors, appears before our eyes; an invitation to contemplation…
Châlons-en-Champagne Tourist Office – Tel: 00 33 (0)3 26 65 17 89 – www.chalons-tourisme.com
CHALONS, THE LITTLE VENICE OF CHAMPAGNE
Water is everywhere, running through the town and its green areas, disappearing beneath its streets and
squares : the Marne, the Mau and the Nau, the canal intermingles in joyous disorder. The Tourist Office
offers boat trips between May and September on the Mau and the Nau. The route lasts around 40 minutes
with the chance to see numerous sites and monuments from a very different angle as well as several of
the town’s bridges, the oldest dating from 1560. Every Friday and Saturday in July and August, trips by
night with added entertainment ensure a mysterious and intriguing atmosphere !
15

THE MAIN TOWNS AND THEIR HERITAGE
• EPERNAY (Marne)
Right in the heart of the vineyards, Epernay is known throughout the world as the “Champagne Capital”. This magnificent
setting, with its vineyards and wine cellars, welcomes close to 450,000 visitors each year from all over the world. Epernay is
thus, by nature, the centre of a major international market. Its town centre has a rich history, linked to the development of the
production and export of this wonderful party wine. Nowhere is this more apparent than the Avenue de Champagne, where the
major producers are located and where the champagne trade is conducted. The street is lined with many 19 th -century town
houses, in Renaissance or Classical style, which are home to such prestigious champagne houses as Moët et Chandon, Perrier
Jouët, Mercier and De Castellane, as well as the local industry association, the Comité Interprofessionnel des Vins de
Champagne (CIVC). Ranked in 1994 as one of the “100 Sites of Outstanding Taste in France”, the Avenue de Champagne has
acquired international acclaim. However, in Epernay the real spectacle goes on beneath the ground, in its cellars. A stay in
Epernay is not complete without a visit to the cellars of the great champagne houses. Over 100 km of tunnels carved out of the
chalk beneath Epernay contain the treasures of their prestigious houses - the stuff of dreams!
Epernay Tourist Office – Tel: 00 33 (0)3 26 53 33 00 – www.ot-epernay.fr
HABITS DE LUMIERES (DRESSED IN LIGHT)
Epernay hosts a festival of colours and flavours just before Christmas. The friendly festivities take place on
the famous “Champagne Avenue”, a unique thoroughfare lined by the most prestigious Champagnemakers,
all trying to outdo each other’s elegance and refinement.
For three days the town welcomes all who love the precious nectar and the region where it is made: three
days of celebrating when gastronomy, hospitality and the art of living are on the agenda.
The programme includes illuminations, shows, fireworks, concerts, exhibitions and tastings.
10, 11, 12 December 2010
• TROYES (Aube)
A town at the crossroads of Europe and historical capital of Champagne, Troyes owes its prosperity to the markets of the
Middle Ages and the Dukes of Champagne. Today, this “Town of Art and History”, whose historic quarters are laid out in the
shape of a champagne cork, serves as the backdrop for magnificent half-timbered town houses, which have remained
unscathed since the Middle Ages. Blessed with an exceptional artistic heritage, Troyes has always had a special bond with its
artists and craftsmen. This is clear from the many museums found in the town, as varied as they are original, and the
masterpieces of the town’s nine listed churches and cathedral. History is everywhere, in the narrow paved streets, in the
façades of the half-timbered houses, in the exceptional stained-glass windows which proudly adorn the town’s churches, and in
the sumptuous drapery of its 16 th -century statuary. Discover the church of Sainte Madeleine, with its remarkable stained-glass
windows, or step inside the church of Saint Pantaléon, home to some sixty statues of the Troyes School.
The Musée de l’Outil et de la Pensée Ouvrière, housed in the magnificent Renaissance Hôtel Mauroy, pays a fine tribute to
the manual trades and craftsmen, through its rare collection of 25,000 tools and 35,000 books.
This town where commerce continues to thrive is, among other things, Europe’s largest centre for factory shops.
Troyes Tourist Office – Tel: 00 33 (0)3 25 82 62 70 – www.tourisme-troyes.com
"TOWN IN LIGHTS" AND "TOWN IN MUSIC" (VILLE EN LUMIERES & VILLES EN MUSIQUES) – June-August
Free concerts and shows in churches and historic sites light up Troyes’ summer nights with magic for the
eyes and ears. In summer 2008, the mysteries of the blue fairy drew over 23,000 spectators.
During the “Town in Lights” festival, lights enhance the most beautiful buildings and visitors can walk a
marked trail to discover Troyes by night while performers enact funny, unusual and historical scenes
based on Chrétien de Troyes, the legend of King Arthur and the Middle Ages. The performances are
highly original and accessible to all.
Every Friday, Saturday and Sunday night starting at 10pm - Free
16

THE MAIN TOWNS AND THEIR HERITAGE
• CHARLEVILLE-MEZIERES (Ardennes)
Located in the north of the region of Champagne-Ardenne, the modern-day town of Charleville-Mézières dates back to 1966,
when the bustling market town of Charleville, founded by Italian prince Carlo Gonzaga, and the military stronghold of Mézières,
were joined together. The town offers surprising architectural diversity; the Place Ducale, twin sister of the Place des Vosges in
Paris, built by Clément Métezeau in 1612, is one of its gems. With buildings that conjure up the Middle Ages or the 17 th century,
the Renaissance or the industrial era, the town is sure to delight the curious!
Birthplace of Arthur Rimbaud, Charleville-Mézières will always have a special place for the legendary poet, who is buried here.
A tour of the town in Rimbaud’s footsteps culminates in the very moving Musée Rimbaud, a museum devoted entirely to him.
The exhibits form part of the town’s Rimbaud collection, one of the richest in the world.
Charleville-Mézières Tourist Office – Tel: 00 33 (0)3 24 55 69 90 – www.charleville-tourisme.com (in French only)
WORLD CAPITAL OF THE PUPPET-FESTIVAL « MARIONNETTES EN JARDIN » (PUPPETS IN THE GARDEN)
Charleville-Mézières is also a town closely linked with performance arts and particularly puppets, of which
it is now the world capital. Story-telling traditions are very much alive here and continues to inspire the
imagination. As the World Puppet Theatre Festival is held every two years (the next one is in 2011), so the
« Marionnettes en Jardin » Festival is an annual event. Organised by the Atelier de Création et de
Diffusion de la Marionnette from 2-11 July 2010, the festival offers numerous shows, performances,
workshops and exhibitions..
Atelier de Création et de Diffusion de la Marionnette – Tél : 03 24 52 97 65
• LANGRES (Haute-Marne)
Langres is one of the few French towns with wholly preserved fortifications. Thus it retains the many expressions of a long, rich
and varied history (with the Maison Renaissance, town houses, cathedral, etc.). Birthplace of Denis Diderot, one of the most
important figures of the Enlightenment, Langres has managed to enrich the legacy of its historic past and architecture, not only
by means of protected areas, but also through its art and history museum, the Musée d’Art et d’Histoire.
Classed as one of the 50 “Prettiest Towns in France”, with high ramparts, imposing towers and many bell towers, Langres
appears as a proud fortress at the gateway of Champagne and Burgundy. Along the 3.5 km of its rampart walk, left unscathed
by the centuries, we look down on a vast panorama: to the east, the Lac de la Liez and Marne valley in the foreground, with the
Vosges mountains in the distance, and sometimes even a glimpse of the Alpes Bernoises; to the west, beyond the lush, green
Bonnelle valley, the Langres plateau stretches out before us, with its hedgerows and wooded hillsides.
(See also ‘Castles & Fortifications’).
Pays de Langres Tourist Office – Tel: 00 33 (0)3 25 88 19 62 – www.tourisme-langres.com
ESTIVAL DES HALLEBARDIERS
Three nights a week in August, the “Compagnie des Hallebardiers” offers an unusual tour of the town, in
which the town itself becomes the stage, the public the actors. An original way to explore a place and its
history, a series of simultaneous performances invite the public to discover the town’s rich heritage,
brought to life in a quirky, humorous way.
Compagnie des Hallebardiers – Tel: 00 33 (0)3 25 90 77 40 – www.hallebardiers.com (in French only)
• CHAUMONT (52)
Chaumont, which dates back to feudal times as the residence of the ruling Counts of Champagne, benefited from a strategic
location very early on. With its green belt and nearby forests, the town is in a park-like setting. A diverse heritage, including a
19 th -century viaduct, 12 th -century keep, Jesuit chapel, covered market, turrets and 13 th -century basilica built in the heart of the
old medieval town add to the town’s attractions .
Chaumont Tourist Office – Tel: 00 33 (0)3 25 03 80 80 – www.tourisme-chaumont-champagne (in French only)
INTERNATIONAL POSTER AND GRAPHIC DESIGN FESTIVAL – mid May to mid June 2010
Set up almost 20 years ago, this festival has become an essential date in the French and European
graphic-design calendar. Innovative graphic design work is displayed across the town, from heritage sites
to industrial wasteland. The festival has its origins in the mid-1980s, when a priceless collection of 5,000
posters was discovered.
Festival Office – Tel: 00 33 (0)3 25 03 86 80 - www.ville-chaumont.fr (in French only)
Maison du Livre et de l’Affiche – Les Silos – Tel: 00 33 (0)3 25 03 86 83
For more information, a thematic page dedicated to towns and their heritage is available at www.tourismechampagne-ardenne.com
17

WILD NATURE
&
TAMED NATURE
18

WILD NATURE & TAMED NATURE
• FAUNA, FLORA AND NATURAL SITES
• THE STAG’S MATING CALL
From late September to mid-October, the legendary forest of Argonne is haunted by sounds from another era: the stag’s mating
call, the deep, baying roar that announces rutting season among stags. A real rendez-vous with nature! Actéon runs supervised
excursions to listen to the ‘stag’s mating call’ and experience these magical moments. It also offers themed nature trails
throughout the year, accompanied by guides who are experts in observing forest animals.
Actéon Association – Pays d’Argonne – Tel: 00 33 (0)3 26 60 10 06 – www.acteon.asso.fr
• THE CRANES
Spanning 48 km² and with 77 km of banks, the Lac du Der is the biggest artificial lake in France. Filled in 1974, it quickly
became a migratory stopover of prime importance in Western Europe.
In November, visitors can observe a variety of ducks, the first geese, goosanders, grebes, cormorants and, with a bit of luck, the
spectacular peregrine falcon. But the real stars of the show are the cranes that stop off there, on their way down from their
Nordic reproduction sites to winter in Spain and Morocco. At the height of the season, cranes number close to 50,000! Each
evening, amid a hubbub of calls, numerous squadrons of these great waders settle for the night on the quiet banks of the lake,
rising early to feed in the fields. An unforgettable spectacle! From September to November, nature organisations get together to
welcome and provide information, on site, for the many visitors to this great annual gathering. There is free access to the
lakeside hides, and bird-watching breaks are offered.
LPO Champagne-Ardenne (Bird Protection League) – Tel: 00 33 (0)3 26 72 54 47 – www.lpochampagneardenne.com
Lac du Der Tourist Office – Tel: 00 33 (0)3 26 72 62 80 – www.lacduder.com
Haute-Marne Tourist Board – Tel: 00 33 (0)3 25 30 39 08 – www.tourisme-hautemarne.com
Each year at Montier en Der in the Haute-Marne over 50 French and foreign photographers take part in
the International Animal and Nature Photo Festival and its exhibitions, encounters, workshops and
competition for the most beautiful or original photograph.
The 14 th festival will take place on 18, 19, 20 and 21 November 2010.
AFPAN – www.festiphoto-montier.org
• THE WILD BOAR
Sedentary, attached to its territory, robust, combative, stubborn... it abounds throughout all the forests of the Ardennes and has
merged with the history of the inhabitants of the department, to the extent that it is now the emblem of the region. Indeed it is
difficult to escape from because it is everywhere to be seen, whether it be in local legends, chocolate specialities or stickers
displayed proudly on the cars. Finally, all football fans know that the wild boar is on the crest of the team of Sedan and that one
of the most glorious players of the 1950s, international defender Roger Marche, was nicknamed the "Boar of the Ardennes"
because he hailed from these parts.
Pavillon d’accueil du Territoire du Sanglier – Tel: 00 33 (0)3 24 29 79 91 – www.3cantons.com (in French only)
• LAND OF THE ORCHID
These delicate flowers, often thought of as exotic, have a particularly strong presence in the Haute-Marne, where 40 different
species are to be found. From the legendary Lady’s Slipper, with its yellow throat and crimson petals, to more original
specimens, like the Lizard Orchid, with its unpleasant scent, and the Bee Orchid, which disguises itself in order to attract
insects and thus ensure its pollination, a wide variety of orchids are found here, including the Military Orchid, Lady Orchid,
Fragrant Orchid, Greater Butterfly Orchid, Broadleaved Helleborine and Rock Cress. Here, blooming beside the path, one finds
Devil’s-Bit Scabious, Hawkweed, Valerian, Bloody Cranesbill, Scorpion Vetch, and other rare species like the Great Yellow
Gentian, Violet Limodore, Stylised Orchid, Perennial Sweet Pea, as well as rare ferns such as Green Spleenwort and Fougère
de Robert. These plants are fragile and demanding and, in order to preserve their natural rhythm, verge-mowing is restricted on
some 50 minor roads.
Haute-Marne Tourist Board– Tel: 00 33 (0)3 25 30 39 04 – www.tourisme-hautemarne.com
• FAUX DE VERZY
As early as the fifth century, the Verzy Forest was a place of worship where Saint Basil lived as a hermit. It is home to some
very odd-looking trees called "faux", an extraordinary variety of beech with twisted shapes found nowhere else in the world.
Other distinguishing features are their very slow growth and exceptional longevity. The exact causes of this phenomenon are
still unknown but the genetic make-up has been identified. These mysterious, misshapen trees have given rise to many
legends, including the gauillots, evil spirits who twisted the trees with the sound of their magic flutes. A single twisted oak stands
amidst the beeches on this site, where a Benedictine abbey built in 664 was dedicated to Saint Basil.
Marne Tourist Board – Tel: 00 33 (0)3 26 68 37 52 / 00 33 (0)3 26 69 51 04 – www.tourisme-en-champagne.com
19

WILD NATURE & TAMED NATURE
• THE GREAT LAKES OF CHAMPAGNE
LAC DU DER
Because the River Marne can sometimes be extraordinarily unpredictable, in 1970 a decision was made to build a reservoir
dam called Lac du Der. This enormous building project resulted in one of the largest artificial lakes in Europe, with 4,800 ha of
water and 77 km of shoreline on the border between Marne and Haute-Marne. The Lac du Der is now an outdoor leisure resort
and a major site for migrating birds in the heart of Champagne-Ardenne.
In and around the lake, there are over 270 species of bird (some of which are rare and endangered), 40 species of mammals,
45 varieties of dragonflies, 20 kinds of amphibians and more than 200 different plants. Lac du Der has been listed as a national
hunting and wildlife reserve since 1978, and is one of the most important sites in France for birdwatching, attracting specialists
from all over the world.
Lac du Der Tourist Office – Tel: 00 33 (0)3 26 72 62 80 – www.lacduder.com
LAC D’ORIENT
Towards the rising sun, to the East, to the Orient… On the edge of the Paris Basin, in the south of the region of Champagne-
Ardenne, there lies a vast mysterious area, where water, land and forest have given rise to a unique region that is the product of
both nature and man. Here, 25 km east of Troyes, is where one of the first five regional natural parks in France was created
in 1970. Spanning 70,000 hectares (across 50 districts, and currently with more than 20 000 inhabitants), the park is home to
vast lakes (5,000 hectares), nestled in the hollows of deep forests, which are a source of pleasure for nature-lovers and sports
and leisure enthusiasts alike, offering activities such as sailing, fishing and swimming. In migration season, these magnificent
expanses of water are the chosen port of call for thousands of birds, including cranes, ducks, wild geese and birds of prey. Over
70 lakes form true aquatic gardens.
Visitors can explore this vast natural site on a series of pathways, on foot or by bike, over several days, through its forests of
hornbeam, oak and pine, patchwork fields, passing through delightful villages of the Aube. The Parc Naturel Régional de la
Forêt d'Orient is a living space, open to all, where preserving the environment goes hand in hand with regional development.
Pavillon Charles: Set in the heart of the park, this environmental study and teaching centre (Centre d’Etudes et de Pédagogie
de l’Environnement, or CEPE) welcomes visitors and organises nature trails for a closer look at the landscape, natural habitats
and wildlife, accompanied by a nature guide.
Orient Forest Tourist Office – Tel: 00 33 (0)3 25 43 81 90 – www.pnr-foret-orient.fr
THE PORCIEN TRAIL
From the hills of Haut Porcien to the chalky plains of Champagne, this waymarked route forms a 110-km loop. Here, the charm
of country landscapes combines with a picturesque rural habitat of half-timbered houses and farms. Emerging from a valley,
forest or field, villages offer the unexpected sight of a chateau with tours à bec (Doumely), a great hall built entirely of cob
(Wasigny), or a Baroque church like that of Asfeld whose strangeness can only be described as extraordinary.
Ardennes Tourist Board – Tel: 00 33 (0)3 24 56 06 08 – www.ardennes.com
THE LEGENDS OF THE MEUSE AND SEMOY TRAIL
With its dark, at times disturbing, forests, its colourful rocks, the remains of ancient mountains, and its
many magical waters, rivers and streams, the Ardennes is a land of legends. Each stone is said to conceal
a legend. Knights, enchanters and spirits once peopled this ancient Celtic land, giving it this strange air
that is so dear to children and popular memory. The forest, most mythical of places, the water all around
and nature’s mysterious shapes, all have whispered fantastic tales in men’s ears, which continue to be
passed down in each family. The most famous of them all – the Legend of the Four Aymon Sons and their
magical horse Bayard – continues to fire the imaginations of children in the Ardennes. The Château du
Diable at Roc La Tour, the Dames de Meuse at Laifour, the Rièzes of Rocroi… Here, nature offers an
exceptional, boundless setting for the legends of the Ardennes.
At the heart of the massif, looking down over the meandering Meuse and Semoy, let yourself be carried
away to a land of legends, fairies and devilish lords…
Ardennes Tourist Board – Tel: 00 33 (0)3 24 56 06 08 - www.ardennes.com
Other information is available in the “Fauna & Flora” brochure and on the theme page at www.tourisme-champagneardenne.com
20

WILD NATURE & TAMED NATURE
• FLOWERS AND GARDENS
• CHAMPAGNE-ARDENNE, FRANCE’S NO. 1 “REGION IN BLOOM”
With 408 communities or districts, labelled “Towns and Villages in Bloom” (2009 contest, with the label awarded ranging from
one to four flowers), Champagne-Ardenne has earned itself first place in the classification of French “Regions in Bloom”. The
contest is based on a district’s landscaping and plant heritage, the efforts made towards improving quality of life and sustainable
development, and the actions in place for tourism development and recreational activities for schools, residents and visitors.
• 15 towns and villages hold the top “4 Flowers” label, three of which have even been awarded the Grand Prix National
de Fleurissement (‘National Prize for Blooms’)
• 131 hold the “3 Flowers” label
• 117 hold the “2 Flowers” label
• 145 hold the “1 Flower” label
These award-winning districts are dotted throughout the Champagne-Ardenne region, across the Marne, France’s No. 1
“Department in Bloom”, Ardennes, Aube and Haute-Marne
Champagne-Ardenne Tourism – Tel: 00 33 (0)3 26 21 85 80 – www.tourisme-champagne-ardenne.com
• LE GRAND JARDIN
Laid during the Renaissance by Claude de Lorraine, first Duke of Guise, Le Grand Jardin is a testament to 16 th -century
architecture and garden design. Restoration work begun in 1982 has returned the gardens to their former glory. The gardens
are a veritable treasure-trove of well-thought-out vegetation, a reconstructed Renaissance dream attracting garden-lovers from
all over Europe. From the grand terrace, the eye follows the boxwood borders, the compartments of hardy perennials, the
patches of medicinal and aromatic herbs, the orchard with a rare collection of fruit trees; the planted trellises, the pear saplings,
the canal leading from the source to the moat of the chateau, and the labyrinth set at its centre; the fountain, the humpback
bridge and the wonderful green bower that crowns it all. A so-called “romantic” garden, planted with rare species and decorated
with original sculptures cast at Dommartin-le-Franc.
Le Grand Jardin - Joinville – Tel: 00 33 (0)3 25 94 17 54 – www.legrandjardin.com (in French only)
• THE THREE JARDS – CHALONS-EN-CHAMPAGNE
Over time, ‘gart’, a word with Germanic origins, evolved into ‘jard’. The Jard dates back to the 14 th century but four hundred
years later the Intendant of Champagne, Rouillé d'Orfeuil, redesigned and divided it into three gardens: the Petit Jard, Grand
Jard and Jard Anglais (“English Jard”). The bandstand is the focal point of the Grand Jard, whose avenues are raised to
keep the Marne from bursting its banks. In 1826 the Marne lateral canal separated the Jard Anglais from the Jard. This garden
is therefore contemporary with the Buttes Chaumont, Monceau and Monsouris Parks in Paris. In 1929 the Jards became listed
sites.
Four statues by a local sculptor, Carlos Carillo, depict the seasons and watch over the Petit Jard. Visitors can see "little
Chenonceaux", the former market château standing on the Pont des Archers (“Archers Bridge”), a vestige of the town’s
fortifications. Its south façade, which sports a corbelled turret, was rebuilt in 1602.
Châlons-en-Champagne Tourist Office – Tel: 00 33 (0)3 26 65 17 89 – www.chalons-tourisme.com
• PRESLE BOTANICAL GARDEN
Presle Botanical Centre between Reims and Epernay has a remarkable garden, a nursery and a design office, the fruit of
painstaking work shared with visitors. Dominique Brochet introduces them to plants collected and introduced for 17 years on a
two-hectare site including an Alpine wall, rose garden, willow grove, shrub arboretum and Caucasian maze, brought back
from a 1998 trip to Kyrgyzstan. A nursery contains Alpine plants, shrubs and vintage roses.
The garden, which has been a conservatory since 1995, was listed a Remarkable Garden in 2005 and won the fifth Top des
parcs ® prize in 2006, which a jury of experts awards to gardens.
Presle Botanical Garden (10km from Reims) – Tel: 00 33 (0)3 26 59 43 39 – http://jbpresle-brochetlanvin.club.fr (in French only)
• MARNAY/SEINE BOTANICAL GARDEN
Marnay/Seine Botanical Garden, a veritable living plant museum, has several educational trails so that visitors of all ages can
become acquainted with plants, see textbook botanical theory in a real-life setting and reflect on the ideas of bio-diversity and
environmental protection, with a conservatory mission. For that purpose, a conservatory garden was created inside the
botanical garden. So was a 6.5-hectare natural conservatory called “Etang du Grand Mort” (“Grand Mort Pond”), an old cut-off
of the Seine lined by meadows and a flood-prone alluvial forest.
Marnay/Seine Botanical Garden – Tel: 00 33 (0)3 25 21 94 18 – www.jardin-botanique.org (in French only)
More information is available in the “Parks & Gardens” brochure and on the theme page at www.tourismechampagne-ardenne.com
21

ACTIVITIES & DISCOVERIES
22

ACTIVITIES & DISCOVERIES
• WALKING, HIKING AND CYCLING
Walking, hiking or cycling is a great way to explore the region. As well as numerous trails for walkers, many greenways have
been opened up offering even more opportunities to get away and explore.
CHAMPAGNE BY BIKE, THE ARDENNES BY BIKE
450 km of greenways enable cyclists to explore the Champagne-Ardenne
region by bike.
These are mostly built on townpaths alongside the many canals and rivers of
the region, or on disused railway tracks. Cycling along these routes is a
relaxing way of discovering the ever-changing landscape of this enchanting
region.
The core network is complemented by a number of looped circuits, marked
and unmarked, making use of the small, quiet roads of the region.
The main greenways in Champagne-Ardenne are:
The Trans-Ardennes Greenway (83 km) ; The Greenways of Lac du Der (80
km), the Cyclepath around the Orient Forest (42 km) and the Canal between
Champagne and Bourgogne (130 km).
New for 2010 : the Haute-Seine canal greenway (27 km) in the Aube –
accessible by bike or rollerblades !
A full description of routes, detailed maps, technical characteristics, services
and tourist information can be found at:
http://randonnees.tourisme-champagne-ardenne.com
A NEW TOPOGRAPHICAL BIKE GUIDE FOR 2010, By Chamina
- 96 pages
- 3000 copies distributed in France and neighbouring French-speaking
countries
- Itinerary maps at a scale of 1:100000
- Detailed tourist information
- Descriptions of the main routes (Greenways Trans-Ardennes greenways, the
Champagne-Burgundy Canal etc.)
- Descriptions of local circuits (around Epernay, in Argonne etc.)
A QUALITY CHARTER FOR ACCOMMODATION PROVIDERS AND RENTAL COMPANIES
To promote these routes and improve facilities expected by cycling tourists, a Quality Charter
has been established for accommodation providers (hotels, B&Bs and campsites) and bike
rental companies. Providers who have signed up to the scheme agree to abide by its criteria to
manage and improve facilities for cyclists. Some are mandatory, such as providing a place to
clean bikes, a repair kit and offering a packed lunch. Others are optional, such as baggage
transfers etc.
Details of the charter and the providers that have signed up be viewed at:
http://www.tourisme-champagne-ardenne.com/balades/balades/velo/hebergementsagrees.aspx
To date, 33 accommodation providers are involved in the scheme: 11 hotels, 19 B&Bs and 1
campsite, 2 gîtes for stop-overs and overnight stays as well as 7 rental companies. All have
been awarded a certificate of quality: « Champagne à vélo » or « les Ardennes à vélo »,
according to their location.
23

ACTIVITIES & DISCOVERIES
• The region’s main greenways:
THE TRANS-ARDENNES GREENWAY
This 83 km greenway between Givet and Charleville-Mézières follows the course of the Meuse on the former towpath. The
asphalt paving makes it accessible to all types of bikes as well as roller blades. The path crosses the Ardennes Massif and its
grandiose landscapes along the winding river.
Ardennes Tourist Board – Tel: 00 33 (0)3 24 56 06 08 – www.ardennes.com
THE REIMS “COULEE VERTE”
The Reims “coulée verte” is a 12 km greenway crossing the Reims area along the Aisne Canal towpath to the Marne. The
stabilised asphalt path for cycling, roller-blading, jogging, etc., offers a safe, preserved route through the town’s heart.
Reims Tourist Office– Tel: 00 33 (0)3 26 77 45 00 – www.reims-tourisme.com
THE LAC DU DER GREENWAYS
Several greenways slice through the Der region. The 38 km lake loop is mainly on the dikes and has beautiful views of the
4,800ha stretch of water. Several segments leading to Saint-Dizier (12 km), Montier-en-Der (12 km) and Vitry-le-François (20
km) extend the loop.
Lac du Der Tourist Office – Tel: 00 33 (0)3 26 72 62 80 – www.lacduder.com
THE ORIENT FOREST LAKES BIKE PATH
This 42 km greenway is between Saint-Julien-les-Villas and Dienville. The path is paved with asphalt, making it accessible to
cyclists and roller-bladers, and runs along the Orient Forest’s three lakes and their canals. It is often atop the dikes, offering
wonderful views of the lakes.
Orient Forest Tourist Office – Tel: 00 33 (0)3 25 43 38 88 – www.pnr-foret-orient.fr
THE CANAL BETWEEN CHAMPAGNE AND BURGUNDY
The canal between Champagne and Burgundy crosses the Upper Marne from north to south. The greenway, which is
accessible by bike, follows its towpath. Around 130 km of paths are open between Bayard-sur-Marne and Langres, then go to
Burgundy. This route along the Marne Valley features the great diversity of the Upper Marne’s landscapes.
Haute-Marne Tourist Board – Tel: 00 33 (0)3 25 30 39 00 – www.tourisme-hautemarne.com
THE LANGRES REGION GREENWAY
This 12 km greenway built on a former railroad bed starts at the foot of Langres and crosses part of the plateau. The first six
kilometres are paved with asphalt and the second six are covered in stabilised sand, requiring a hybrid or mountain bike. The
greenway serves as a support for several discovery loops.
Langres Tourist Office – Tel: 00 33 (0)3 25 87 67 67 – www.tourisme-langres.com
THE LAC DU DER–ORIENT FOREST LAKES CONNECTION
Not really a hiking trail or a cycle path but perfectly doable by bike. It’s a network of back roads with light traffic between Der
Lake and the Orient Forest lakes. An approximately 125 km route can be cycled between Troyes and Saint-Dizier.
A full description of each route is available at http://randonnees.tourisme-champagne-ardenne.com (detailed map,
technical features, nearby services and tourist information, etc.).
24

ACTIVITIES & DISCOVERIES
• NAUTICAL ACTIVITIES
• ON THE SHORES OF THE LAKES
The Lac du Der is the largest man made lake in Europe, spanning 4,800 hectares and with its 77 km of banks. A wide range of
leisure activities are on offer here: 3,500 hectares of water for sailing and windsurfing, six beaches, three marinas perfectly
integrated into the natural landscape, and 475 hectares of basins for fishing all year round (e.g. whitefish and carnivorous fish).
For those who prefer dry land, there are over 300 miles of waymarked loops for cycling, horse-riding or mountain-biking,
games for children, and a wide variety of sporting activities available, including climbing walls and a path around the lake for
walking, rollerblading or cycling. In the reed beds, willow swamps, mudflats and marshes, nature-lovers are able to appreciate
the great diversity of local wildlife. In autumn, the site is home to more than 270 species of migratory and sedentary birds.
Ornithologists from around the world come here to observe one species in particular: the crane. (See also “Fauna, Flora And
Natural Sites”)
Lac du Der Tourist Office – Tel: 00 33 (0)3 26 72 62 80 – www.lacduder.com
The Orient Forest Lakes: the three lakes nestling in the heart of Orient Forest offer 3,000 ha of water to enjoy nautical sports
and bird-watching in an environment ideal for outdoor recreational activities.
Orient Forest Regional Park Visitors’ Centre – Tel: 00 33 (0)3 25 43 81 90 – www.pnr-foret-orient.fr
• NAVIGABLE WATERWAYS
Champagne-Ardenne is irrigated by 600 km of navigable waterways, including sections of the Meuse, Marne and Seine, and
various canals (the Canal des Ardennes, Canal de la Marne à la Saône, Canal de l'Aisne à la Marne, Canal Latéral à la Marne
and Canal de la Marne au Rhin). This network is open to navigation by cruisers, unlicensed houseboats, motorboats and small
barges.
These vessels offer a different perspective of the region, and the chance to discover scenery that is often otherwise
inaccessible, such as the meanders of the Meuse and the vineyards of the Marne. Enough to give many a landlubber the desire
to take the helm for a few days and be carried along gently by the current. And for those who prefer to let themselves be guided
along the water, excursions on the River Marne are offered by the river cruiser Champagne Vallée, departing from Cumières.
Ardennes Nautisme – Tel: 00 33 (0)3 24 27 05 15 – www.ardennes-nautisme.com
Bateau Champagne Vallée – Tel: 00 33 (0)3 26 54 49 51 / 00 33 (0)06 85 10 82 42 – www.champagne-et-croisiere.com (in French and
Dutch only)
• FISHING
With its lakes and many watercourses and rivers (including the Semoy, Meuse, Seine and Marne), Champagne-Ardenne is an
angler’s paradise. Carp, pikeperch and pike are the most common species in the region’s fish stock. These three large
specimens attract anglers from across Europe to the lakes of the Pays de Langres. Favoured by carnivorous-fish enthusiasts,
what sets the Lac du Der and the lakes of the Forêt d'Orient and Langres region apart is the fact that they have zones where
night-fishing for carp is permitted. Close to Chaumont (Haute-Marne), the Aube, Seine and Rognon rivers are ideal for flyfishing
and trout-fishing. The sites are managed by a series of associations which offer courses for young people and issue
permits for various durations.
Langres Tourist Office – Tel: 00 33 (0)3 25 87 67 67 - www.tourisme-langres.com
Orient Forest Regional Park Visitors’ Centre – Tel: 00 33 (0)3 25 43 38 88 - www.pnr-foret-orient.fr
Lac du Der Tourist Office – Tel: 00 33 (0)3 26 72 62 80 - www.lacduder.com
25

ACTIVITIES & DISCOVERIES
• RECREATIONAL ACTIVITIES
• TERRALTITUDE
In April 2007 “Ardennes Terre d’Aventures” park opened near Fumay in the heart of a spruce forest over 70 years old with
four increasingly difficult acrobatic courses. This is a fun way for the whole family to explore nature and the Ardennes forest. 50
workshops, including six Tyrolean traverses set at between 40 and 130 metres above the ground, Tarzan jumps, surprise
footbridges, ambushes and suspended nets are just some of the activities on offer.
But the adventure doesn’t end there. Adrenalin-lovers are sure to get their fill from the park’s flagship activity: the
Fantasticâble, giant zip wire par excellence. Feel the rush of adrenalin as you launch high into mid air, from a platform 300
metres up, for an incredible glide over the valley of the Meuse - all in complete safety. Strapped beneath a trolley, adventurers
slide their way down 1,200 metres of steel cable – a drop of 145 metres – at speeds of between 50 and 75 mph for the flight of
a lifetime: strong emotions guaranteed!
Terraltitude Ardennes Valley Tourism – Tel: 00 33 (0)3 24 42 92 42 – www.terraltitude.com or www.valdardennetourisme.com
• LE CHENE PERCHE
At this adventure park at Signy-l’Abbaye you can clamber about in the trees, on an array of monkey bridges, knotted climbing
ropes, tightropes, Tyrolian traverses and much more, under the watchful eye of certified instructors. But what’s really different
about the place is the accommodation on offer: cabins up in the trees, 15 metres above the ground, which sleep two to three
people. These comfortably equipped cabins (they even have “environmentally friendly” sawdust toilets) offer a real return to
nature right in the heart of the forest. Isolated for the night up in the trees, one is filled with a feeling of intense pleasure to hear
and observe the buzz of life going on all around.
Le Chêne Perché – Tel: 00 33 (0)6 79 73 52 73 – www.lecheneperche.com
• NIGLOLAND
Located in Dolancourt, in the Aube, this theme park, whose mascot is the hedgehog Niglo, was set up by circus professionals. It
is a real favourite with families, both for its many rides and its 18-hectare wooded park, which is home to hundred-year-old trees
and 500 labelled species of plants. 35 rides and shows for all ages are on offer, including “Space Experience”, “The Grizzly”
and “Canadian River”. The park has its own themed hotel, the “Hôtel des Pirates”. With over 480,000 visitors each year, this
family park is one of the most popular in France.
Nigloland – Tel: 00 33 (0)3 25 27 94 52 – www.nigloland.fr
• UNUSUAL!
• ABSEILING IN CHAMPAGNE CELLARS
Maison Leclerc-Briant in Epernay suggests an original way to explore its cellars with a winning cocktail: an authentic décor, a
dose of sport and a glass of champagne all round. This is your chance to try your hand at abseiling down a shaft of 30 metres,
right in the heart of cellars housing 600,000 bottles of champagne. Prior to a lift being installed, this shaft was equipped with a
pulley to take the bottles down into the depths of the cellars. And to round off your visit in style, a good bottle is sabred! Please
note: Abseiling is exclusively for groups of more than 15 people, but it is possible to join an existing group.
Champagne Leclerc Briant – Tel: 00 33 (0)3 26 54 45 33 – www.leclercbriant.com
26

CHAMPAGNE & FLAVOURS
27

CHAMPAGNE & FLAVOURS
• GASTRONOMY
• DELI PRODUCTS
ANDOUILLETTE DE TROYES (AOC)
These traditional pork sausages are made exclusively from pork chaudins (large intestine) and pork belly, rigorously selected
and carved lengthways into strips. After being seasoned with fresh onions, salt, pepper and spices, the mixture is enrobed in
real pork intestine. It is then drawn and shaped by hand into sausages, which are then slow-cooked in a court-bouillon to give
them their flavour of unarguable quality. The town’s best pork butchers proudly display the AAAAA (Association Amicale des
Amateurs d’Andouillettes Authentiques) label, awarded for the unique quality of their products.
Addresses:
Charcuterie Thierry PRAUTOIS – Troyes – Tel: 00 33 (0)3 25 73 06 46
Charcuterie Christophe THIERRY – Sainte-Savine – Tel: 00 33 (0)3 25 79 08 74
BOUDIN BLANC DE RETHEL
Made on a small scale using traditional methods, Boudin Blanc de Rethel holds the Label Rouge (red label) and Indication
Géographique Protégée (protected geographical indication, or IGP) labels. It is a sausage made exclusively from fresh pork,
cutting fat, non-reconstituted milk and whole eggs, giving it its extreme smoothness and succulent flavour, whether plain or with
truffles, mushrooms or onion, cooked or eaten cold.
Note: Each year, on the last Sunday in April, Rethel celebrates its boudin, with a programme of entertainment, gatherings and
tastings!
Address: Charcuterie DEMOIZET – Rethel – Tel: 00 33 (0)3 24 38 42 05
JAMBON SEC DES ARDENNES (IGP)
Made exclusively from fresh pork leg, to which herbs and spices are added, this ham is dry-cured by hand. It is not smoked, nor
does it contain nitrites. The production process lasts a minimum of nine months. It is sold in all good pork butchers
(charcuteries).
JAMBON DE REIMS
The choicest jellied ham with parsley, jambon de Reims is made from boned pork shoulder, cooked in a special bouillon
seasoned with champagne, then moulded and coated in breadcrumbs.
Addresses:
Boucherie du Forum - Daniel FAUCHART – Reims – Tel: 00 33 (0)3 26 47 42 07
BOUCHERIE – Roger DIGRAZIA – Reims – Tel: 00 33 (0)3 26 09 31 86
THE “ARDENNES DE FRANCE” BRAND – High-quality products, 100% Ardennes guaranteed.
Recognisable for its hexagonal shape and little black boar, the collective Ardennes de France mark is a regional label which
serves as a guarantee to consumers of the origin and quality of its 124 labelled products and services. The label offers the
same qualities as the Label Rouge (red label), the difference being essentially the additional regional characteristics.
Visit the association’s website www.ardennes-de-france.com for a list of participating producers and products, along with some
typical Ardennes recipes.
Ardennes de France – Charleville-Mézières – Tel: 00 33 (0)3 24 32 21 48 – www.ardennes-de-france.com (in French only)
PIEDS DE PORC A LA SAINTE-MENEHOULD
In 1730, a young kitchen boy at the Hôtel de Metz left a pot overnight simmering on the hob and in the morning was surprised to
find a pig’s trotter cooked to a turn, so tender that the bone had become flaky. That is how Pied de Porc de Sainte-Ménehould
came into being. Coated with golden breadcrumbs, it is served hot to reveal smooth, flavoursome flesh.
Address: Charcuterie Nadège et Sylvain WARIN – Sainte-Menehould – Tel: 00 33 (0)3 26 60 86 12
• SPECIALITIES
HAUTE-MARNE TRUFFES
In the 19 th century, the famous Tuber Uncinatum, or “Grey Burgundy Truffle”, arrived to flavour the dishes of the best
restaurants in Paris. At that time, Haute-Marne produced a dozen tonnes of truffles a year. Having sunk into oblivion at the
beginning of the 20 th century, over the last 20 years production has seen steady growth thanks to a new method for cultivating
truffle beds.
Address: Association Trufficole de La Haute-Marne – Chaumont – Tel: 00 33 (0)3 25 32 57 00
28

CHAMPAGNE & FLAVOURS
DINDE ROUGE DES ARDENNES
It takes seven to eight months to rear a red turkey in the green meadows of the Ardennes, as opposed to three months for a
factory-farmed turkey. The birds are fed on a diet of protein-enriched cereals and, in the final fattening period, on milk. This slow
growth and traditional feeding gives the Dinde Rouge des Ardennes a delicious, firm flesh that is in keeping with tradition.
Address: Sarl Aviculture Devresse Auge – Tel: 00 33 (0)3 24 54 34 05
LENTILLON DE CHAMPAGNE
This pinky brown brown lentil is traditionally grown in the area between Troyes and Rethel. An application for classification of
this lentil of the Champagne region has been filed with the Institut National des Appellations d'Origine (National Institute for
Denominations of Origin, or INAO).
• CHEESE
CHAOURCE (A.O.C)
Originating, as its name suggests, in the village of Chaource, this delicious cheese has been a registered designation of origin
(appellation d’origine contrôlée, or AOC) since 1970. It is a full-fat soft cheese with a bloomy rind. The lightly salted cheese
should contain at least 50 % fat. In a cylindrical shape, it is recognised by its light, creamy, mushroomy fragrance and, above
all, its mild, fruity, nutty flavour on the palate, sharpened by just a hint of acidity
Addresses:
Syndicat de Défense du Fromage De Chaource – Tel: 00 33 (0)3 25 49 11 55
Fromagerie de Mussy – Chaource – Tel: 00 33 (0)3 25 73 24 35 – www.fromageriedemussy.com (in French only)
Langres (A.O.C)
A registered designation of origin since 1991, made with full-cream cow’s milk, Langres cheese has some quite unique
characteristics: an orangey colour, and a cylindrical shape with a cavity in the surface, known as the fontaine, or ‘fountain’. It
gives off a powerful odour and is recognised by its subtle, inimitable flavour.
Langres cheese is matured over three weeks, during which time it is washed regularly in brine. It is sometimes matured in Marc
de Champagne, which reinforces its typical features. After three or four weeks of maturing, without being turned, its rind turns a
brown colour and its fontaine is accentuated.
Syndicat Interprofessionnel du Fromage de Langres – Langres – Tel: 00 33 (0)3 25 87 60 20 - www.fromagedelangres.com (in French
only)
• SWEETS
Champagne-Ardenne is also rich in all kinds of sweets and pastries. Here’s one you should try:
BISCUIT ROSE DE REIMS: The biscuit rose, or ‘pink biscuit’, has, together with champagne, been one of the culinary emblems of
Reims ever since its creation in 1691, when a Reims baker, wishing to take advantage of the heat of his bread oven after
baking the last batch of loaves, had the idea of baking his biscuits twice, hence the name bis-cuit, meaning ‘twice-baked’.
Flavoured with vanilla, the biscuit rose gets its colour from cochineal, a natural red dye added to the recipe to hide the black
specks left behind by the vanilla pods. Made in Reims by the biscuit-makers Fossier, their unique texture is able to absorb their
own volume in liquid, while retaining its flavour. As is the tradition, the biscuit rose is enjoyed dipped in a glass of champagne.
Another speciality of Fossier’s is the Croquignole de Reims, a crunchy biscuit in the shape of a finger.
Biscuits Fossier (Shop) – Reims – Tel: 00 33 (0)3 26 47 59 84
REIMS GINGERBREAD: it can be round, square or rectangular. It is dark brown and can weigh between 50 g to 2 kg. It is made
from rye flour, water, honey (60 %) and spices. According to the 1926 Larousse ménager illustré, ”Gingerbread must have
many medium-sized holes. If they are too small, it means the batter has not risen enough; if they are too big it means it has
risen too much. It must smell like honey and have a dry, shiny brown crust.” What makes Reims gingerbread stand out? It’s
made from rye flour and sweetened with honey.
Other, lesser-known specialities are worth a detour: the ovens of the Ardennes pastry chefs produce the famous Galette au
sucre ardennaise (Ardennes Sugar Cake), a sweet speciality made from leavened pastry decorated with a rich cream; Carolo,
a small, rich, crispy cake made from almonds and praline cream; and Gâteau Mollet, a light kind of brioche, baked in a
furrowed mould with a central flue. Haute-Marne has its Caisses de Wassy, speciality meringues whose recipe is said to have
been created by Mary Stuart.
As for confectionary, the Ardoises (lit. ‘slates’) of Charleville-Mézières are blue, flattened cube-shaped chocolates that recall
roof slates, a typical Ardennes building material, while chocolate Bouchons de Champagne (‘champagne corks’) are filled with
Marc de Champagne.
29

CHAMPAGNE & FLAVOURS
• CHAMPAGNE AND LOCAL STILL WINES
If there is one wine that goes beyond the mere status of beverage, it is most certainly champagne, a world-wide symbol of
parties and celebrations. What used to be the wine of royal coronations has become one of the most celebrated jewels of
French lifestyle and gastronomy. More than 330 million bottles of champagne are sold each year.
The Champagne vineyards, the first to be made a registered designation of origin (appellation d’origine contrôlée, or AOC) in
1908, today cover 34,000 hectares, or 90 % of the appellation. They span four main regions: Montagne de Reims, Côte des
Blancs, Vallée de la Marne and the Aube vineyards of Côte des Bar. Only three grape varieties are permitted in the area: Pinot
Noir, a black grape which gives aromas of red fruits, strength and body; Pinot Meunier, a black grape which makes for “wellrounded”
assemblages; and Chardonnay, a white grape which gives finesse and favours lengthy storage, thanks to its aromas
and great freshness. Champagne is obtained by means of a second fermentation in the bottle and maturing in the bottle for a
period of at least 15 months for bruts and three years for vintages.
• WINE GROWERS AND CHAMPAGNE HOUSES
Only wines from the AOC Champagne area may make use of the production method known officially as the méthode
champenoise. Today, 90 % of the Champagne vineyards belong to the region’s 15,000 wine growers, or vignerons, who, at the
end of the harvest, may sell their grapes to the champagne houses or to cooperatives. Around 5,000 of them keep their harvest
to make their own Champagnes de Vignerons, expressive wines, each with its own typical features.
• CHAMPAGNE HOUSES
75 of which are classed as Grandes Marques, and purchase nearly all of their grapes from wine growers, cultivating no more
than a few thousand hectares themselves. Their talent lies in the production of champagnes which reflect, unchangingly, the
style of each brand. This, coupled with the wine’s extraordinary commercial dynamism, has made Champagne, over the
centuries and throughout the world, the undisputed lifestyle benchmark. Today, the Champagne houses account for two thirds
of consignments and 90 % of exports. Mostly situated in Reims, Epernay and Châlons-en-Champagne, the Champagne houses
show off their cellars, of great beauty or particular historical value. Here, too, a range of options are on offer, from museums and
musical slide shows to self-guided vehicles and abseiling…
• THE ORIGIN OF CHAMPAGNE
The first vines were planted in Champagne in the Roman era, but it was not until the Middle Ages, on the initiative of winegrowing
monks in the region, that the wine of Champagne rose to fame. At that time, the barrels containing the wine would
allow the bubbles to escape. The first bottles, which appeared around 1660, were better at preserving the flavours as the wine
matured and, in particular, meant that the wine kept its natural effervescence. This technique is said to have been devised by
Dom Pérignon, a Benedictine monk of Hautvillers Abbey. Current pressing and vinification processes were finally formalised at
the beginning of the 20 th century. Wine-making is regulated by the Comité Interprofessionnel des Vins de Champagne (CIVC),
in agreement with the Institut National des Appellations d’Origine (INAO).
Comité Interprofessionnel des Vins de Champagne – Epernay – Tel: 00 33 (0)3 26 51 19 30 – www.champagne.fr
• THE CHAMPAGNE TOURIST ROUTE
To discover the winegrower champagnes, follow the Champagne Tourist Route, which covers more than 500 km between
Reims and the Côte des Bar, with around 80 welcome centres. Five waymarked loops, four in the Marne and one in the Aube,
wend their way through the vines, taking you via magnificent viewpoints, authentic villages, ancient monasteries and imposing
châteaux and churches. Wine growers offer personalised tours in a traditional, family setting. It is recommended that you book
your visit in advance to be sure of the availability of the owners. Tours may be free or a fee may be charged, depending on what
is offered.
Marne Tourist Board – Tel: 00 33 (0)3 26 68 37 52 – www.tourisme-en-champagne.com
Aube Tourist Board – Tel: 00 33 (0)3 25 42 50 76 – www.aube-champagne.com (in French only)
30

CHAMPAGNE & FLAVOURS
• STILL WINES
Riceys Rosé – an outstanding wine
An exceptional product of the Champagne-Ardenne cellars, Rosé des Riceys is the most closely controlled wine in France, to
the extent that it is not produced every year. It is made exclusively from the Pinot Noir grape variety, harvested on the steepest,
sunniest hillsides, only in favourable years, since it requires very ripe grapes. A fairly original wine-making process (using a
technique of carbonic semi-maceration) and maturing in oak casks for one year, sometimes more, gives the wine quite a unique
taste: the so-called goût des Riceys, with its delicate bouquet of wild flowers, violets and hazelnuts.
Rosé des Riceys was highly prized at the court of Louis XIV. It was discovered by the Sun King thanks to a group of builders
from Les Riceys who came to work on the construction of the Chateau of Versailles, bringing with them their local rosé.
Just a few tens of thousands of bottles are produced—when the harvest allows it. Covering 750 hectares, Les Riceys is the
largest wine-growing area in Champagne. It is also the only one to have three AOC: Champagne, Coteaux Champenois and
Rosé des Riceys.
Les Coteaux Champenois: Registered as AOC, since 1974, these classic wines, which come in red, white and even rosé,
used to bear the name Vins Naturels de Champagne and are the descendants of the still wines that once rivalled Burgundy
wines. The still reds (Pinot Noir) and whites (Chardonnay) are produced in the Champagne production area. The best known
are the reds of Bouzy and Cumières.
Haute-Marne wines: In Haute-Marne, two vineyards which had disappeared at the beginning of the 20 th century have seen a
revival over the past decade or so, thanks to a handful of enthusiasts.
- The vineyards of Montsaugeonnais appeared in the 9th century, with the founding of the priory of Aubigny. Having
seen their heyday in the 15 th to 17 th centuries, they fell victim to phylloxera at the end of the 19 th century. They were
replanted in 1988. White or red, Muid Montsaugeonnais saw its Pinot Noir 2001 awarded a star by the 2003
Hachette wine guide.
- Coiffy wines: this vineyard, a multi-time medal-winner at the Paris General Agricultural Competition, dates back to
the Roman period and has enjoyed a renaissance since 1981. Today it comprises five hectares of chardonnay, four
of pinot noir and two of pinot gris.
• APERITIFS
As for aperitifs, Champagne-Ardenne has several nice surprises in store: Cacibel, a blend of cider, blackcurrant and honey, to
be drunk chilled; Magra Bendi, an Aube aperitif, whose red version is made from pomegranate and raspberry, and white
version from pears and white wine; or else there is Rubis de Groseille from Bugnières, a fruit wine to be drunk chilled.
Emblematic product: Ratafia. While champagne may be closely associated with the Champagne-Ardenne region, there is
another typical product from the region that is not without its appeal: Ratafia. This sweet aperitif owes the origin of its name to
the beverage drunk to seal the signing of a treaty. Ratafia is the product of combining the pinot grape must recovered from the
wine press, unfiltered, with marc brandy or wine spirit. Once prepared, the blend is kept for at least two years in oak casks,
which gives it its lovely amber colour. At bottling, Ratafia is 18° proof. It should be served between 6 and 8°C in order to
appreciate its aromas of marc, citrus-fruit peel and preserved fruits.
• SPIRITS
Spirits are also the pride of the region, especially the famous Marc de Champagne, made by distilling the solid residue (skins,
seeds and stalks) of the grapes crushed in the wine press, and Vieille Fine de Marne, made by distilling surplus champagne.
Many fruits are also distilled in the region, among them raspberries, plums and redcurrants. Prunelle Arcisienne (from Arcissur-Aube)
and the fruit brandies of Argonne and Bassigny are famous local products.
TREASURE OF CHAMPAGNE-ARDENNE: The Guillon distillery
An unusual sight for the region, this distillery produces a very fine single malt. Thierry GUILLON, whose family have made
wines and spirits for over four generations, and himself a trained œnologist, worked for nearly two years in Germany’s most
prestigious distilleries, accumulating a wealth of experience in the world of wine and alcohols before setting up the Guillon
Distillery in 1997.
Guillon Distillery – Hameau de Vertuelle – Verzy Road – 51150 LOUVOIS – Tel: 00 33 (0)3 26 51 87 50 www.whisky-guillon.com
For more information, a thematic page dedicated to Champagne is available at www.tourisme-champagneardenne.com
31

FESTIVALS & EVENTS
32

FESTIVALS & EVENTS
• JANUARY / FEBRUARY
Historic Monte Caro Rally – Reims (51)
28 January
This rally reunites collectors and enthusiasts at the wheel alongside competitors of the former Monte Carlo Rally. Setting off
from the sacred city of Reims for Monaco after completing all the regulatory checks, some 320 cars representing 7 European
countries will start the rally . Technical testing from 9 – 3.30pm at the Parc des Exposition. Race starts at 7pm from the Hotel
de Ville.
Reims Tourist Office– Tél : 03 26 77 45 00 – www.reims-tourisme.com
Winter Humour Festival -- Saint-Dizier (52)
19 January - 5 February
In a new festival format, spectators can see several comedians as well as high-quality theatrical performances.
19 January : Gérald Dahan
23 January : Men are from Mars, Women from Venus
26 January : Eric Antoine
29 January : Jean-Marie Bigard
2 February : Off piste
5 February: Fabrice Eboué
Saint Dizier Town –Espace Camille Claudel - Tél : 03 25 07 31 26 - www.ville-saintdizier.fr
Childrens’ Film Festival – Ardennes (08)
19 January - 5 February
A 15 day festival throughout the Ardennes showing films with children as heroes. In 2008, 30,000 viewers enjoyed this great
multi-cultural event.
Les enfants du cinéma – Tél : 03 24 33 81 10 – www.lesenfantsducinema.free.fr
• MARCH / APRIL
Tinta’Mars : 22nd Festival of Performing Arts– Langres et Pays de Langres (52)
11 - 27 March
This funny, heart-warming, and thoroughly upbeat festival combines humour, laughter, emotion, music and singing. Tinta’Mars
is a festival which has evolved with its audience. The youthful production put together every year by some twenty talent scouts
is both irresistible and innovative !
Tinta’Mars Association– Tél : 03 26 87 65 56 – http://pagesperso-orange.fr/tintamars
The Boudin Blanc of Rethel Fair – Rethel (08)
24 - 25 Avril
A gastronomic event celebrating the renowned Boudin blanc sausage of Rethel.
Rethel Tourist Office – Tél : 03 24 38 54 56 / 03 24 72 29 33 01
10th Annual Château du Grand Jardin – Printemps du Grand Jardin – Joinville (52)
30 April – 3 May
A must for garden lovers, with many partners and associates on the lawns and walkways of the Grand Jardin. Held every year
during the first weekend of May, thousands of visitors stroll around looking for rare plants or simply out of curiousity.
Le Château du Grand Jardin – 52300 Joinville – Tél : 03 25 94 17 54 – www.legrandjardin.com
• MAY / JUNE
21st International Poster and Graphic Design Festival – Chaumont (52)
Mid May – Mid June
Exhibitions of French and international posters, symposia, activities, workshops and concerts in several sites throughout the
town. International poster competition for graphic design students and professionals. Opening of the “new media” festival (forms
of expression and materials other than posters).
Poster Festival – 52000 Chaumont Tel: 00 33 (0)3 25 03 86 80– artsgraphiques.affiches@wanadoo.fr
33

FESTIVALS & EVENTS
Plant Day – Bergères (10)
13 May
For many years during Ascension, this small winegrowing village in the Côte des Bar has welcomed plant specialists from all
over France. Around a hundred stalls line the streets of Bergères and spill over into barns and courtyards that the 120
inhabitants gladly offer use of : orchids, fuschias, cactus, rare trees, geraniums, hibiscus, fruit trees. A forest ramble is also
arranged during the day.
Mr & Mrs PETIT – Tél : 03 25 27 45 47
Festival of Vine & Wine – Marne (51)
13 - 16 May
Discover wine production sites, tastings. Art and Champagne are celebrated in the cellars of the winegrowers. Activities and
games themed around vines and wine with œnology, concerts, and craftsmen…
Action Champagnes Tourisme – Tél : 03 26 64 96 87 – www.champagne-tourisme.com
Phare de Verzenay – Tél : 03 26 07 87 87 - www.lepharedeverzenay.com
Sentier du Vigneron – Tél : 03 26 52 31 37 / 03 26 52 39 08 – www.mutigny-en-champagne.com
Medieval Festival – Sedan (08)
15 - 16 May
Medieval camps, street entertainment and historic processions in the town that lies in the shadow of the largest fortified castle
in Europe.
Sedan Tourist Office – Tél : 03 24 27 73 73 / 03 24 29 98 80 - www.tourisme-sedan.com
La Fête du Pétard [‘Firecracker Festival’] – Langres (52)
29 May
The Firecracker Festival features many forms of performing street arts (theatre, dance, circus, music, etc.). The founding
principle is to “symbolically celebrate Langres’ heritage in a big, fun, exceptional gathering”. A varied programme of shows
offers a new, living vision of the venues.
The Halberdiers Company – Tel: 00 33 (0)3 25 90 77 40 – www.hallebardiers.com (in French only)
Furies Festival – Châlons-en-Champagne (51)
June
Every year in June, the national and international in the world of the circus and street theatre turns Châlons’ gardens, squares,
streets and theatres into a huge outdoor ring open to a creative circus that invents new poetry and spills out of the tent and into
the streets. It is open to outdoor theatre that makes the town a place of encounters and exchanges.
Furies Festival - Tel: 00 33 (0)3 26 65 73 55 – www.festival-furies.com (in French only)
Les Flâneries Musicales d’Eté [Summer Music Festival] - Reims
June - July
Over 100 concerts, most of them free. Wide-ranging programme: classical, jazz, etc. Two concerts a day in cultural heritage
sites as well as more unusual venues, such as cafés and parks.
Flâneries Musicales de Reims Association – Tel: 00 33 (0)3 26 77 45 12 – www.flaneriesreims.com
Festival of Joan of Arc and Folklore Festival - Reims
5 – 6 June
People stroll among the stalls of a medieval market and watch a big light and music show where they see the Great Procession
of the Kings of France crowned in Reims (2,000 extras in period costumes accompany Joan of Arc and Charles VII). The
Coronations of Folklore features songs, dances and customs from around the world.
Reims Tourist Office – Tel: 00 33 (0)3 26 77 45 00 – www.reims-tourisme.com / Tel: 00 33 (0)3 26 82 45 66 – www.reims-fetes.com (in
French only) / Tel: 00 33 (0)3 26 03 16 31 – www.jolivettes-sacresdufolklore.com
Gardens Rendez-vous– Throughout the region
4 - 6 June
A National event : an exceptional opening of parks and gardens, both public and private (activities, lectures, guided visits,
tastings, exhibitions, meetings, demonstrations, workshops, school groups). Theme : gardeners tools.
Tél : 03 26 70 36 50 – www.rendezvousauxjardins.culture.fr
34

FESTIVALS & EVENTS
Les Chevalets d’Essoyes [The Easels of Essoyes] - Essoyes
5- 6 June
Over a two day period, artists of all genres flock to the village of Essoyes from all over France. They exhibit their works in barns
offering private lessons, in buildings and along the banks of the Ource. Stop to admire and with some artists you can have a
stab at the art yourself.
Essoyes Tourist Office – Tel: +33 (0)3 25 29 61 34 – www.essoyes.fr
Cutlery Fair – Nogent (52)
12 – 13 June
This event promotes cutlery and carving know-how through exhibitions and demonstrations. Showcasing french, dutch,
belgian, german and north european examples.
Confrérie du Bassin Coutelier Nogentais – Tél : 06 80 52 60 43 – www.confrerie-bassin-coutelier-nogentais.com
A Town In Music – Troyes (10)
End June – beginning August
Around 100 free concerts in several public places : in the town squares, hotel foyers, churches or under the kiosk at the rock
garden… Every type of music is represented : from baroque and classical concerts to jazz, rock or blues. Events take place
Friday and Saturday evenings 9 – 11.30pm and Sunday mornings.
Troyes Tourist Office – Tél : 03 25 82 62 70 – www.tourisme-troyes.com
• JULY / AUGUST
The Musicals of Auberive Abbey – Auberive (52)
July
A festival of violin music in the magnificent setting of the Abbey of Auberive. Magical virtuoso highlights with the appearance of
renowned artists.
Abbaye d’Auberive – Tél: 06 07 56 24 16 – www.musicales-abbaye-auberive.com
Festival des Musiques d’Ici et d’Ailleurs [Festival of Music from Here and Elsewhere] - Châlons-en-Champagne
1 July – 8 August
A showcase of world music today: free concerts in Châlons-en-Champagne and the surrounding area showcasing the diversity
of musical trends. Get to know the “world sound” and discover tomorrow’s famous names before anyone else.
Music in the town – Tel: 00 33 (0)3 26 68 47 27 – www.musiques-ici-ailleurs.com
Puppets in the Garden Festival – Charleville-Mézières (08)
2 - 11 July
Organised by the Atelier de Création et de Diffusion de la Marionnette, the festival offers a choice of shows, activities,
workshops and exhibitions.
Atelier de Création et de Diffusion de la Marionnette – Tél : 03 24 52 97 65
Son et Lumière at La Cassine – Vendresse (08)
4 July - 3 August
Sound and light show on Saturday evenings at the Château de la Cassine.
The Cultural Association of Château de la Cassine - Tél : 03 24 35 44 84
Tour de France – Reims / Epernay
7 - 8 July
The arrival of the Tour de France stage in Reims on 7 July. Departs from Epernay on 8 July.
www.ville-reims.fr / www.erpernay.fr
La Route du Champagne en Fête – Fontette - Landreville - Noé Les Mallets - Viviers Sur Artaut (Aube)
24 - 25 juillet
Champagne is unquestionably King here. Over the weekend, winegrowers open their doors to the public. Village streets are
buzzing with activity. Essential password: a Champagne flute. Quit simply, armed with this precious “passport” you can enter
the wine cellars and enjoy free tastings..
Association for the Promotion of Champagne Vineyards – Tel: 00 33 (0)3 25 43 72 72 – www.vignoble-champagne.com
35

FESTIVALS & EVENTS
Aymon Folk Festival – Bogny sur Meuse (08)
30 – 31 July
At the monument of the Quatre Fils Aymon: a major folk evening event with regional groups and international artists with
activities and food & drink.
Contact : 03 24 32 75 04
L’Estival des Hallebardiers [The Halberdiers Festival] - Langres
Weekends in August
A historical 90 minute show-tour through the fortified town of Langres. Spectators who get to know the history of the town in an
original and enjoyable way as several scenes are played out simultaneously. It all ends in good spirits at the bar where a drink
is offered… Dressed in capes, visitors will be caught up in the whirlwind of history. Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights (9pm).
The Halberdiers Company – Tel: +33 (0)3 25 90 77 40 – www.hallebardiers.com
The Pleasures of Hunting and Nature Show – Châteauvillain (52)
28 - 29 August
Usually held at the start of the school year, the 18th annual event opens its doors in the superb Parc aux daims at
Chateauvillain. With more than 200 exhibitors displaying weapons, clothing, eyewear, animal art etc. On the activities side,
there are demonstrations with hunting dogs, trufflers, falconnery, dressage demonstrations, a 600m2 marquee dedicated to
taxidermy with scenes depicting untamed nature in the Haute-Marne and Africa, and a 400m2 marquee dedicated to cutlery and
carving.
Déclic Haute-Marne – Tél : 03 25 03 01 03 - www.salon-chasse-nature.com
• SEPTEMBER / OCTOBER
Automobile Weekend – Gueux (51)
10 -12 September
A gathering of historic racing cars, motorbikes and tourist transport. Over the weekend, a series of cars and bikes will follow in
succession on the track at 20/30 minute intervals. As well as displaying the charm of vintage cars, exceptional and modern
models will also be on show.
Weea Organisation – Tél : 04 50 55 93 92 – www.weea-organisation.com
« Become a Winepicker for a Day » –Marne and Aube (51 & 10)
September – depending on harvest dates
Winegrowers in the region are offering a one day introduction to grape-picking. After a hearty breakfast, they accompany
guests to the middle of the vines to join the pickers for a " sécateurs outing". At midday, guests return to the winegrowers
estate to share a grapepickers lunch. There’ll be a cellar visit with the winegrower in the afternoon and the day ends with a
tasting.
CDT Aube – Tél : 03 25 42 50 00 - www.aube-champagne.com
CDT Marne – Tél : 03 26 68 37 52 – www.tourisme-en-champagne.com
Halloween at Nigloland – Dolancourt (10)
Every weekend in October and All Saints Day
Nigloland theme park is transformed and plunged into an atmosphere of frightening festivity. Beware of grinding monsters ….
Prepare your last journey by hearse, test your courage in the Jack O Lantern cave, face the monsters in the haunted manor
and experience the ‘Magic Halloween’ show or the metamorphosis of the wolf and mind your children, who will be
unrecognisable after leaving the face-painting workshop…..
Nigloland Park– Tél : 03 25 27 94 52 – www.nigloland.fr
Junior Book Show – Troyes (10)
14 - 18 October
A literary exhibition of 4000 m². More than 35 000 works are displayed by 5 Champagne-Ardenne booksellers over this four day
event with a wide choice of subjects : novels, reference, documentaries… aimed at all ages from babies to teens… Troyes
celebrates all types of books with exhibitions, workshops, multimedia activities, story-telling, free shows etc
Maison du Boulanger - Tél : 03 25 73 14 43
Nuits de Champagne [‘Champagne Nights’]– Troyes (10)
End of October
The Champagne Nights Festival honours French songwriters with around 25 concerts. The programme is held at the Espace
Argence and is themed around the personality of a songwriter, who becomes the town’s and region’s emblem during the weeklong
festival.
Maison du Boulanger - Tél : 03 25 73 14 43
36

FESTIVALS & EVENTS
14th Witches Festival - Fort de Cognelot à Chalindrey (52)
30 - 31 October
Witches welcome you to the dark corridors of Cognelot Fort. From 2pm Saturday and from 10am Sunday with permanent
exhibits (a terrifying labyrinth, witches and other fantastical figures strolling around, interactive displays, outdoor games, facepainting,
barrel organs). Tarif: 4€ (free for under 12s)
Communauté de Communes du Pays de Chalindrey – Tel: 00 33 (0)3 25 88 82 03
• NOVEMBER / DECEMBER
Jazz Festival - Reims (51)
November
Jazz Festival with emerging artists and top of the bill names.
Tél : 03 26 47 00 10 - www.djza51.com
Noels de Champagne – [‘a Champagne Christmas’]– Marne (51)
End November – End December
The ‘Nativity Route’ criss-crosses the Champagne region and 41 communities between Reims, Epernay, Châlons-en-
Champagne et Fismes. There are hundreds of Christmas cribs of all shapes and sizes for the visitor to discover during
stopovers in these typically champenois towns and villages. Exhibitions, walks, Christmas markets (in Reims there are more
than 100 chalets with food, craft and festive products), concerts, advent calendars, and uniquely champenois activities along
the way will delight and amaze.
Reims – Tél 03 26 09 83 50 - www.reims-destination-noel.fr / Fismes – Tél : 03 26 48 81 28 - www.fismes-tourisme.fr
Epernay –Tél : 03 26 53 33 00 - www.ot-epernay.fr / Châlons-en-Champagne - Tél : 03 26 65 17 89 - www.chalons-tourisme.com
14th International Animal and Nature Photo Festival - Montier-en-Der
18 – 21 November
This festival will host over 60 exhibitions of “wildlife” pictures by the greatest international, national and local animal
photographers, as well as from national amateur photographer organisations and nature photo agencies. Visitors can enjoy an
introduction to bird-watching and nature by visiting the Lac du Der.
Animal and Nature Photo Festival – Tel: 00 33 (0)3 25 55 72 84 – www.festiphoto-montier.org
Habits de Lumières [Dressed in Lights] - Epernay
10 - 12 December
A three day festival organised by the town of Epernay and the Champagne Houses. Street performances, Champagne bars,
fireworks and illuminations on the renowned Avenue de Champagne and its prestigious houses. The region’s starred chefs
share their knowledge of regional products and Champagne brands with demonstrations and tastings. Exhibitions, cellar visits,
and shows to enjoy. There’s also a parade of more than 400 vintage cars.
Epernay Town Hall – Tel: 00 33 (0)3 26 53 36 70 –- www.ot-epernay.fr / Service Communication – Tel : 03 26 53 36 03
37

USEFUL ADDRESSES
CHAMPAGNE-ARDENNE TOURIST BOQRD
Press contact: Sarah FLOOK
50, Avenue du Général Patton
BP 50319
F-51013 Châlons-en-Champagne Cedex
Tel: 00 33 (0)3 26 21 85 80
www.tourisme-champagne-ardenne.com
ARDENNES TOURIST BOARD
Press contact: Jörg HARTWIG
24, Place Ducale
BP 419
F-08107 Charleville-Mézières Cedex
Tel: 00 33 (0)3 24 56 06 08
www.ardennes.com
AUBE TOURIST BOARD
Press contact: Aline MILLEY
34, Quai Dampierre
F-10000 Troyes
Tel: 00 33 (0)3 25 42 50 00
www.aube-champagne.com (in French only)
MARNE TOURIST BOARD
Press contact: Armel PERON
13Bis, Rue Carnot – B.P. 74
F-51006 Châlons-en-Champagne Cedex
Tel: 00 33 (0)3 26 68 37 52 or 00 33 (0)3 26 69 51 04
www.tourisme-en-champagne.com
HAUTE-MARNE TOURIST BOARD
Press contact: Sylvie MILLOT
40Bis, Avenue Foch
F-52000 Chaumont
Tel: 00 33 (0)3 25 30 39 00
www.tourisme.hautemarne.com
Photo credits:
Champagne-Ardenne Tourism collection (photos: Contextes.org - Christian Maury - Yves Flatard - Philippe
Genaux - Greg Oxley - Bruno Gouhoury - D. Guy – Ingrid – Jacobs - V. Lett - C. Manquillet - Y. Rieschke -
Studio E-Media - B. Sivade - P. Winfield)
38

Your notes…….
Your notes…….
Your notes…….
Your notes…….
......................................................................................................................................…………….
......................................................................................................................................…………….
......................................................................................................................................…………….
......................................................................................................................................…………….
......................................................................................................................................…………….
......................................................................................................................................…………….
......................................................................................................................................…………….
......................................................................................................................................…………….
......................................................................................................................................…………….
......................................................................................................................................…………….
......................................................................................................................................…………….
......................................................................................................................................…………….
......................................................................................................................................…………….
......................................................................................................................................…………….
......................................................................................................................................…………….
......................................................................................................................................…………….
......................................................................................................................................…………….
......................................................................................................................................…………….
......................................................................................................................................…………….
......................................................................................................................................…………….
......................................................................................................................................…………….
......................................................................................................................................…………….
......................................................................................................................................…………….
......................................................................................................................................…………….
......................................................................................................................................…………….
......................................................................................................................................…………….
......................................................................................................................................…………….
......................................................................................................................................…………….
......................................................................................................................................…………….
......................................................................................................................................…………….
......................................................................................................................................…………….
......................................................................................................................................…………….
......................................................................................................................................…………….
......................................................................................................................................…………….
......................................................................................................................................…………….
......................................................................................................................................…………….
......................................................................................................................................…………….
......................................................................................................................................…………….
......................................................................................................................................…………….
......................................................................................................................................…………….
......................................................................................................................................…………….
......................................................................................................................................…………….
......................................................................................................................................…………….
......................................................................................................................................…………….
......................................................................................................................................…………….
......................................................................................................................................…………….
......................................................................................................................................…………….
......................................................................................................................................…………….
......................................................................................................................................…………….
......................................................................................................................................…………….

50, avenue du Général Patton - B.P. 50319 – 51013 Châlons-en-Champagne Cedex – France
Tel +33 (0)3 26 21 85 80 – Fax +33 (0)3 26 21 85 90
www.tourisme-champagne-ardenne.com - contact@tourisme-champagne-ardenne.com