Around Châtillon-sur-Marne

Follow the lapping of the Marne: the Champagne Tourist Route invites you to cruise along the river, through the Champagne vineyards and charming little villages. All by car!

This stage starts in Damery, where the church dating from 1150 dominates the village. Here, too, you can set off on a short circuit overlooking the Marne valley. There's a real change of scenery beneath your feet: the subsoil of the vines contains fossilised shells. After this warm-up, take the road to Venteuil. A lovely view of the Château de Boursault awaits you. What makes it special? It's one of the rare Champagne estates to have its vines, presses, vathouse and cellars all within a single enclosure.

Fancy a bit of height? Head for Fleury-la-Rivière and its unusual site: the Cave aux Coquillages. Here you can admire unusual fossils dating back 45 million years, when the Champagne region was a tropical beach criss-crossed by Campaniles giganteum... giant snails 40 centimetres long!

Your archaeological (and unusual) discoveries continue at Belval-sous-Châtillon, where 20 caves have been dug into the rock. Cuchery, Baslieux-sous-Châtillons, Villers-sous-Châtillon, Tincourt... Pass through the villages of Champagne while admiring the wooded, hillside landscapes. When you arrive in Châtillon-sur-Marne, look up: you're standing in front of the huge statue of Pope Urban II, the native of the region who initiated the first crusade. At the foot of the statue, take time to appreciate the panoramic view over the surrounding vineyards. There's also an orientation table to help you find your way around. After a stopover in Oeuilly, this stage ends near Épernay on the left bank of the Marne.