Champagne-Ardenne

Click here for a map of Champagne Ardenne.

CHALONS-SUR-MARNE (102 miles from Paris)

Capital of the Marne. Cathedral St-Etienne with 12th to 16th-century stained glass; Church and cloister Notre-Dame-en-Vaux; museums and gardens.

MOUZON (64 miles)

Ancient fortified village on the Meuse River. Magnificent medieval abbey church, unique Felt Museum.

ROCROI (54 miles)

Only intact star-shaped fortress village in France; spectacular ramparts, museum.

RUMIGNY (14 miles)

17th-century château La Cour des Près.

HAUTVILLERS (70 miles)

Hillside village where Dom Pérignon invented champagne. Benedictine abbey church, views over Epernay valley.

ORBAIS-L'ABBAYE (20 miles)

Unusual abbey church, said to be prototype for Reims cathedral.

MONTMORT-LUCY (6 miles)

Imposing brick château on promontory.

STE-MARIE-DU-LAC (60 miles)

Museum-village with varied examples of regional half-timbered architecture; on largest man-made lake in Europe.

CIREY-SUR-BLAISE (41 miles)

Château rebuilt by Voltaire and his lady-love the Marquise du Châtelet.

SCENIC DRIVE (94 miles)

Via Juzennecourt, Esnouveaux, Coiffy-le-Bas, Neuilly-l'Eveque, St-Martin-les-Langres, Arc-en-Barrois. A glorious day's drive through beautiful forest, real Bambi country.

ARC-EN-BARROIS (direct from Cirey 57 miles)

Golden-stone village in forest, St-Martin church, Renaissance house château, lovely promenades.

ESSOYES (30 miles)

Once home to painter Auguste Renoir, who is buried here along with his sons Pierre and Jean, the filmmaker; authentic riverside village with Vine Museum.

LES RICEYS (11 miles)

Cluster of three separate villages each with its own Renaissance church. Prized wine Rose des Riceys.

CHAOURCE (16 miles)

Delicious cheese of the same name, made in region since the 12th century. Splendid 16th-century sculpture of Christ's Entombment by the "Master of the Sad Faces."

AIX-EN-OTHE (25 miles)

Capital of the green and hilly Pays d'Othe; Trompe l'oeil painted church, 16th to 17th-century tapestries.

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