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The Marne Valley

The vineyards of the Marne Valley stretch as far as the eye can see in the direction of Paris, on jagged hillsides where villages, castles and churches cling.

Rugged hillsides, castles and churches

Land of choice for Pinot Meunier

This vineyard is located along the Marne river, between Tours-sur-Marne and Dormans (and extends into the Aisne). Along the way, discover Epernay, the historic capital of Champagne, where the Avenue de Champagne is lined with imposing private mansions housing internationally renowned houses.

Nearby Hautvillers, with its strolling streets and the village of the famous monk Dom Pérignon. Following the Marne, you’ll reach Châtillon-sur-Marne, home to an imposing statue of Pope Urban II, then Dormans, where you can visit the Memorial to the Battles of the Marne.

Sixty cellars and houses bearing the label open their doors to you and reveal the secrets of their champagnes during a tasting and/or a visit to their winery.

V&D labels
hautvillers - Tourisme dans la Marne en Champagne
dom perigonon - Tourisme dans la Marne en Champagne

Dom pérignon

Spiritual father of champagne

Born in Sainte-Ménehould in 1639, he entered the Jesuit College in Châlons-en-Champagne in 1652, graduating as a monk at the age of eighteen. In 1668, at the age of 30, he joined Hautvillers Abbey, where he held the position of celerier, one of the most important in monasteries with vast estates at the time.

With patience and obstinacy, he set about restoring the Abbey’s lustre, taking particular care with the harvest and choice of grapes. Adding sugar to help the wine foam, rapid fractional pressing to produce white juice, blending several crus, corking to preserve freshness and foam, reinforcing the bottles…

This contemporary of King Louis XIV is credited with many major inventions that have spanned the centuries, transforming champagne into an exceptional wine!

The Route du Champagne circuit often dominates the valley, offering splendid views and opening the doors to its rich heritage. From Épernay, follow the right bank of the Marne, and return via the left bank.

Let us guide you to Hautvillers, a charming village famous for its Benedictine Abbey, where one of the monks, Dom Pérignon, is remembered for his idea of blending the different Champagne crus and the use of the cork stopper.

You’ll finish your tour in Pierry, which boasts a fine collection of 18th-century estates and mansions, before returning to Epernay.

See itinerary

To see along the way

  1. the Benedictine abbey and wrought-iron signs of Hautvillers, a charming village famous for its Benedictine abbey.
  2. the view of the Château de Boursault in Venteuil
  3. the view over the valley from Châtillon-sur-Marne
  4. the Château Louis XIII and its Mémorial des Victoires de la Marne in Dormans
  5. Oeuilly, a timeless village bathed in a special atmosphere
  6. Parc du Soudron (open from April to October) in Saint-Martin-d’Ablois

CHAMPAGNE AIDS WONDERMENT

George Sand

QUIZ

The subsoil of the Champagne region is predominantly ?

  1. Clay
  2. Limestone
  3. Sandy

Answer

Most of Champagne’s subsoil is limestone (75%: chalk, marl and limestone). This type of subsoil favors soil drainage and the highly distinctive minerality of certain Champagnes.

The porosity of the chalk makes it a veritable water reservoir, providing the vines with their water supply.

YOUR CONTACTS

OFFICE DE TOURISME DES PAYSAGES DE LA CHAMPAGNE – WWW.TOURISME-PAYSAGES-CHAMPAGNE.COM

  • CHATILLON-SUR-MARNE RECEPTION OFFICE – 4 RUE DE L’EGLISE – 51700 CHATILLON-SUR-MARNE – 03 26 58 32 86
  • DORMANS RECEPTION OFFICE – PARC DU CHÂTEAU – 51700 DORMANS – 03 26 53 35 86

Selection of Escapades

Here are some ideas for exploring the Marne Valley!