From the region of Reims andÉpernay was born the most famous wine: the champagne. This exceptional land is dotted with vineyards and cellars. To this promise of intoxication is added an equally intense discovery: the scenery of the regional park of the Reims mountain. The Marne department offers a wide range of hiking and walking tours in the heart of the vineyards. You can't visit this destination without stopping to contemplate the beautiful Notre-Dame de Reims Cathedral. In addition to its architecture, it is the richness of its sculptures that makes it an exceptional achievement, it is a masterpiece of French history: Clovis was baptized there between 496 and 506, then the kings of France were crowned there. The museum of Saint-Remi installed in the old abbey. The castle of Réveillon which received Marcel Proust, who spent pleasant moments there described in his works Les Plaisirs et les jours. You can also visit the statue of Pope Urban II who watches over the Champagne vineyards.
When to go to the Marne? Well, all year long, you can visit the different museums and monuments. Take the Champagne Tourist Route and let yourself be guided along 5 discovery circuits. Every year on the Sunday following January 22, Saint Vincent, the patron saint of winegrowers, is honored throughout the region. Fishing and hunting enthusiasts will find their happiness at the Lac du Der, a national reserve for hunting and wildlife. During the summer season, this destination offers you some beaches thanks to the Lac du Der, the largest artificial lake in Europe, which offers the possibility to practice various water sports (sailing, water skiing, swimming...). The Marne is crossed by five canals, you will be able to practice river tourism all year long, but also to make numerous visits of cellars or to take oenology courses.
The climate of the Marne is oceanic with a continental influence. It is characterized by a cool winter, a mild summer and fairly frequent rainfall. The average temperature is 2.4°C in January, the coldest month, and 18.1°C in July.
