Discover Vauclerc, Marne: Gems of Champagne-Ardenne

Mean level - To see during your tip: Timber-frame churches of Bailly-le-Franc, Lentilles - Panoramic view of the lake Amance and its Marina in Dienville - Potteries in Amance - Bar sur Seine: the tower of clock, the vestiges of the feodal chateau - The Tourist Route of Champagne.

Napoléon et les églises à pan de bois: 118 km / mean level. To see during your trip: Timber-frame churches of Lentilles, Bailly-le-Franc and Juzanvigny, the market hall of Chavanges, Soulaines Dhuys, the lakes of the Orient Forest, the hall of Dienville, theNapoleon and church treasures museum in Brienne-le-Chateau, Forêt d'Orient Ecomuseum in Brienne-la-Vieille, Chruches of Dienville, Epothémont, Hampigny, La Rothière, Chavanges and Maizières-les-Brienne.

Promenade Beaufortine - duration 1h30 - easy level - marking white and green. On the trail of a forgotten fortress on the borders of the Champagne chaklands and the Champagne wetlands...

Promenade du Bocage - duration: 2h45 - easy level - marking white and green. Discover fauna and flora in the "Champagne humide"...

Day 3 of the cycle route created by the Marne Tourism Board to reach the Lake Der-Chantecoq from the town of Dormans. This tourist itinerary alternates between the V52 cycle path and the small roads of the vineyards, in order to enrich the journey with cultural visits. This third and final stage of the journey starts in Châlons-en-Champagne and finishes at Lac du Der, passing through the town of Vitry-le-François. Two options are available at the start of the route: to reach Vitry-le-François by following the V52 or by taking the train. In the first case, it may be preferable to complete this final stage in two days instead of one.

This trail is a chance to follow in the footsteps of Maurice Genevoix and his comrades in the first months of the First World War. As a young officer aged 24, he boarded the train at Châlons-en-Champagne station on 25 August 1914 with reinforcements for the 106th RI. At the time, they did not know where their train was taking them…the violence and horror of the fighting, but also the friendship and brotherhood between companions. He was discharged after being seriously injured on 25 April 1915. He would deliver a moving account of his part in the war in his major work, “Ceux de 14” (“Those of 14”).

Promenade des Libellules - duration: 4h30 - easy level - marking: white and green. Discrete and elegant like a shooting star, dragonglies can be found in the lights of the moving and quiet waters.

Promenade Briennoise - duration: 2h15 - length: 7km - marking: white and green -easy level. Following the traces of bygone days: rural traditions and great history...

Fabulous Vegan and gluten free B&B in the gorgeous countryside of the Champagne-Ardennes. All 5 rooms are fully equipped and furnished to a high standard with private en suite with shower, basin and WC. A homemade vegan and gluten free breakfast is included in the price, as well as tourist tax. The Rose room and Garden room are suitable to bring a dog, The Flamingo room and Leaf room are suitable for families and have space for a children's cot. On request you can join us every day for a three course meal, depending on availability. If you would like a picnic please ask about the options at the moment of booking. The property can also be rented as a self-catering holiday home per weekend, midweek or week.

Take to the skies during a hot air balloon flight over Reims and its surroundings!  You will enjoy an exceptional view of the Champagne region, taking in all of its distinct natural and architectural heritage. TAKE TO THE SKIES DURING A HOT AIR BALLOON FLIGHT OVER REIMS AND ITS SURROUNDINGS! You will enjoy an exceptional view of the Champagne region, taking in all of its distinct natural and architectural heritage. Upon your arrival, attend the inflation of the balloon before climbing into the basket and leaving Taissy behind for an escapade in the skies above Reims. Rising with the wind, you will fly over Reims at high altitude to gaze down on its renowned architectural heritage from the sky. You'll then be treated to spectacular views of the iconic vineyards and hillsides of Champagne as you fly over the Champagne Tourist Route or the Montagne de Reims Regional Nature Park. Once you return to solid ground, you’ll share a traditional balloonists toast to celebrate your adventure. A charming interlude in the airs of Reims to discover the landscapes of Champagne.

Amidst the village, this beautifully restored farmhouse has been converted into a self-catering accommodation furnished to a high and comfortable standard. On the ground floor, vast living-room (fireplace, TV, hi-fi, juke-box). Open plan kitchen, dishwasher, washing machine, microwave oven, freezer. 1 bedroom (double bed, 2 single beds) ensuite bathroom. Toilets. On the first floor: lounge, TV, mezzanine with 2 single beds, 2 bedrooms (2 single beds). Bathroom, toilets, 1 bedroom (1 double bed + 2 single beds in a mezzanine) ensuite bathroom and toilet. Terrace equipped with garden furniture and BBQ. Enclosed garden 2500m². Garage. Ping-Pong. Basketball. Swing. Bakery, newspaper store nearby. Shops in Vouziers, 15km away.

Take a trip back in time aboard a vintage 2CV, the iconic French mid-century automobile, to discover the must-see sights of Reims and the nearby vineyards. In the company of your driver-guide, set off on an original 2-hour ride. ON THIS QUIRKY 2-HOUR TOUR, YOUR DRIVER-GUIDE WILL TAKE YOU INTO THE HEART OF THE CITY OF REIMS AND OUT TO THE FAMOUS VINEYARDS OF CHAMPAGNE COUNTRY. From the car, you’ll be able to admire fine examples of the city’s rich heritage including the Reims Cathedral and Tau Palace, both UNESCO World Heritage Sites. The Abbey of Saint-Remi, a registered historic monument, also lays on the tour circuit.  Your driver will then head out to Hautvillers in the Montagne de Reims, home of Dom Perignon and the birthplace of champagne. Take advantage of this original tour to see the best of historic Reims and the prestigious champagne vineyards! 

Discover the unmissable sights of the “City of Kings” and its surroundings thanks to this 1-hr-15-min. tour in a classic 2CV car. Fall under the charm of Reims and the surrounding countryside on this tour with a private chauffeur-guide. TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THIS UNUSUAL TOUR IN A VINTAGE 2CV TO ADMIRE REIMS AND ITS SURROUNDINGS. ACCOMPANIED BY YOUR DRIVER-GUIDE, SET OFF FOR A 75-MINUTE RIDE THROUGH THE TOWN AND COUNTRY. You’ll be able to admire the valleys and hills that characterize the region of Reims as you make your way out of the city. Stop off on a hillside close to some vineyards, where your guide will reveal all the secrets of the history and production of champagne. As you head back into Reims, you’ll pass some of city’s most important heritage sites such as the Reims Cathedral and Tau Palace, which are both UNESCO World Heritage Sites. The Abbey of Saint-Remi, a registered historic monument, also lays on the tour circuit.  Altogether, this tour by vintage car is a novel and efficient way to discover the “City of Kings” and the champagne vineyards! 

Experience an original tour lasting 2 hrs. 30 mins aboard a vintage Citroën car. Take advantage of this activity to discover the must-see sites of Reims in an original way and visit a cellar to taste some excellent champagne! TAKE A TRIP INTO THE PAST ABOARD A VINTAGE 2CV, THE ICONIC FRENCH AUTOMOBILE. Accompanied by your driver-guide, set off for a 2-hr-30-min ride through the town and country. Sit back and take in the major historical sites of Reims. From the car, you’ll be able to admire fine examples of the city’s rich heritage including the Reims Cathedral and Tau Palace, both UNESCO World Heritage Sites. The Abbey of Saint-Remi, a registered historic monument, also lays on the tour circuit.  Your driver will then head out of town on the winding country roads that lead into the heart of the Champagne wine region. Take advantage of a visit to a local cellar to taste some excellent champagne! Make the most of this original trip to discover the “City of Kings” and Champagne Country!  

Enjoy a unique trip aboard an iconic 2CV vintage car to discover the best of Reims and the nearby countryside. It’s also the occasion to visit a cellar in the Champagne wine region and taste some of the excellent champagne! IN THE COMPANY OF YOUR DRIVER-GUIDE, SET OFF ON AN ORIGINAL 3-HR-30-MIN RIDE. ENJOY THIS FUN TOUR TO DISCOVER ESSENTIAL REIMS AND THE FAMOUS VINEYARDS OF CHAMPAGNE COUNTRY. From the car, you’ll be able to admire fine examples of the city’s rich heritage including the Reims Cathedral and Tau Palace, both UNESCO World Heritage Sites. The Abbey of Saint-Remi, a registered historic monument, also lays on the tour circuit.  Your driver will then take you to meet a local winemaker, where you will visit the winery and cellar before tasting some of the champagne produced on-site! Make the most of this original trip to discover the “City of Kings” and the Champagne wine region! 

Spend an hour aboard a vintage Citroën 2CV to discover the must-see sites of Reims in an original way, stopping off to taste some champagne en route! Your driver-guide will take you on a journey through the city’s streets and through its history.  THIS ORIGINAL RIDE WILL TAKE YOU TO THE HEART OF THE “CITY OF KINGS”. IN THE COMPANY OF YOUR DRIVER-GUIDE, SET OFF FOR A 1-HOUR TOUR OF CENTRAL REIMS. From the car, you’ll be able to admire the rich heritage of the city including the Reims Cathedral and Tau Palace, both UNESCO World Heritage Sites. You’ll also see the Abbey of Saint-Remi, another listed historic monument.  Take a look at the champagne houses located in the Crayères, and make the most of a break to taste some champagne! You will continue towards the historical boulevards and cross the Place du Forum to finish at Place Royale. Take advantage of this quirky tour to see the best of historic Reims! 

Discover the city of Reims with the City Pass: unlimited transportation and free access to cultural and leisure activities! DISCOVER THE CITY OF REIMS WITH THE CITY PASS: UNLIMITED TRANSPORTATION AND FREE ACCESS TO CULTURAL AND LEISURE ACTIVITIES! This pass offers you access to 18 tourist services for 24, 48 or 72 hours. Discover the list of free sites below with the Reims City Pass. You will notably be able receive: * Entry to the Tau Palace (recognised by UNSECO) * A guided visit in Reims Cathedral (recognisd by UNSECO) * A circuit of the city by bus with an audioguide * Reductions to visit the champagne caves and vineyard caves * Lots of other activites and reductions! You will be able to use the CITURA public transport (all bus and tramway lines in Reims included) without limit during your chosen time period. You will also be able to receive shopping discounts and discounts for different shows, trips and excursions in the surrounding vineyards. You will also be able to discover the largest wine cave of the whole region at a reduced price!

A 25 m swimming pool and a paddling pool with games for children. A fitness area (cardio training, muscle strengthening: rowers, elliptical bicycles, treadmills, classic bicycles, bicycles with back support). A wellness area with sauna, hammam and Jacuzzi.

At the Village Musée du Der, you can discover the incredible story of the three villages that disappeared to make way for the construction of Lac du Der (the largest artificial lake in Europe). Several typical buildings were saved from destruction or drowning and rebuilt on the museum site: the church in Nuisement-aux-Bois, the Blacksmith's House, the dovecote, etc.

Lac du Der is a natural area of national and international importance, where more than 310 species of birds can be observed throughout the year, depending on the migration season. Located opposite the lake, the Chantecoq observatory is the largest of the Lac du Der observatories. It is the largest of the observatories on Lac du Der, offering early-morning viewing of Sandhill Cranes during the migration period (October to March). Birdwatching guides are available to help you discover this incredible wildlife.

St. Remy’s is an outstanding Flamboyant Gothic church with ornate hanging keystones, richly carved pinnacles and gargoyles and a carved, painted and gilded altarscreen with shutters depicting scenes from Christ’s Passion.

The estate remembers its monastic past in its name. Dotted with ponds, a lake and a stream, the park has some beautiful statues, a rocky grotto, a beehive, angling grounds, a wash-house built in a style typical of the Argonne and a wine cellar with an old wine press and grape grinder in the old Champagne-style outbuildings. The park also has a number of rare trees and numerous hydrangeas. Outside the summer period, tours can be arranged for groups with advance booking.

Considering the age of the plantations, one can come to the conclusion that the park has been designed around 1880, probably by the great-great grandfather of the actual owners... It is hard to imagine the gardens of Pierre Merlin, when he lived there, at the turn of the 16th century ! We only own a fairly simple plan of the gardens, dated 1793 : the terrace was then divided into four grass-plots, which became in the 19th century one single grass-plot, surrounded by a box rim; The grounds show definitely two different approaches : the terrace "à la française" and the park itselsf, a vast meadow dotted by distant clumps of trees, as far as one can see... A romantic walk along the shaded banks of the river Saulx, stone benches now and then, allowing some rest and gorgeous points of view on the castle, the river ot the 17th century stone bridge of the village : all is combined to gratify the visitors.

In the 16th century, the aristocracy of the Duchy of Bar owned country-châteaux in the "Vallée de la Saulx", a few miles away from Bar-le-Duc. In 1506, Pierre Merlin, auditor of the Duke of Bar, had his castle built in Haironville. The general architecture of the castle de la Varenne is sober, the proportions very harmonious. The pigeon-house, a royal privilege, ends the left wing, proud of its 3000 pigeeon-holes. In the main hall, both the magnificent and rare Renaissance stone panelled ceiling and the 18th century main staircase are vivid witnesses of the history of la Varenne. The grounds, surrounded by the river "la Saulx", include a terrace in the French style and a romantic park with remarkable trees.

Winepress typical of the XVth century reminding us "Pineau de Bar"production until the begining of the XXth century. At that time a dozen press wines were said to be located in our town. This thriving business was abruptly put to an end when all the vineyards on the hill - now called “Ste Catherine” were destroyed by the Phylloxera in the XIXth century. This wine-press is now listed as part of the National Heritage

The church of Saint-Etienne, an elegant flamboyant building, nuanced by renaissance details, shelters an uncanny sculpture by Ligier Richier, the Transi - a decaying corpse proudly offering this heart to God - whose disturbing realism and morbid representation are haunting. A Must-see !

Once part of the Duchy of Bar and Upper Lorraine, Bar-le-Duc is steeped in culture and history. Come wander through upper town area,one of the most outstanding Renaissance urban ensembles in France. Part of the "Towns and countries of art and history" network. Bar-le-Duc reveals treasures of 17th century architecture - sculpted pediments, fluted pilasters or overhanging gargoyles and other must-sees remind us of the town prestigious past.

Opened in 1946, Bergère de France is France's largest knitting wool producer. It controls the entire process from production to marketing and is one of the leaders in its market sector. In fact, it produces more than half the wool sold in France. The company occupies premises covering an area of 40,000 sq. metres. The guided tour takes visitors through the various workshop areas, from the arrival of the raw material to the packaging of balls of wool and the preparation of orders for despatch. Visitors are given an opportunity to buy wool at the factory shop at the end of the guided tour. For safety reasons, visitors must be at least 18 years of age. Available throughout the year for groups with advance booking.

Fast food, alpine specialities, pizzas. Chef's special on weekdays.

Le Carré Gourmand welcomes guests in a convivial family atmosphere. Simplicity and generosity are the keywords here. So stop for a while and taste traditional fare from days gone by.

Located on the outskirts of Bar-le-Duc, the Auberge du Val d'Ornain offers pleasant, rural surroundings in which to enjoy dishes with a Spanish flavour.

Next to the bowling alley. Plancha grill and rotisserie. Wood-fired pizzas.

Located in the Renaissance district in the upper town, Le Grill de la Tour has 2 rooms in which the fire is always lit. Specialities: meat grilled over a wood fire in the restaurant, in view of diners. There is a beautiful alfresco dining area in summer. Lunch menu at €16.50 during the week (starter, main course and dessert). Menus at €24.90 and €30 at lunchtime and in the evening during the week and at weekends.

Located in the heart of the Renaissance district. Breathtaking view of the town. A new look at traditional cuisine with a hint of the exotic.

In the heart of Bar-le-Duc's upper town, in the Renaissance district, Le Bouchon des Halles offers a friendly, relaxed atmosphere. Here, you'll discover the style and atmosphere of the Lyonnais bouchons, and enjoy specialties such as offal. On the menu each day: 4 starters and 3 or 4 offats. Dishes are made with fresh produce, and the menu changes several times a week. Relax and have a good time at the Bouchon des Halles!

In Contrisson in Meuse, not far from Lac du Der and Revigny-sur-Ornain, Marie-Elise Schuster welcomes guests to her renovated farmhouse, the Gîte du Chaurupt.

Well-appointed B&B accommodation in a delightful, walled property. Towels provided. Copious breakfast included in the price. Guests have access to the conservatory. Private garden. Quiet street. Gift: guests receive a packet of butter biscuits at the end of their stay. Bar-le-Duc 17 km, Sermaize-les-Bains 10 km.

A quiet campsite near all amenities and the sports centre. 3 mobile homes available for rent throughout the year.

Gîte in a lovely 1920's mansion renovated in a contemporary country spirit with all mod cons: perfectly equipped kitchen, two lovely rooms, one bathroom, lounge, living room… all you need for a lovely holiday with your family or friends, around a Bonzini football table, or make the most of some lovely moments in the garden. Robert Espagne is a lovely little town with all amenities, situated 13 km from Saint-Dizier and Bar-le-Duc, 40 km from Lake Der. In the heart of the Saulx Valley, you will be able to go riding (equestrian centre 2 km away), canoeing (in the summer), potholing (supervised outings part of the year, lovely Karstic networks in the area), visit Bar-le-Duc, town with rich artistic and historical heritage… Rates: €59 for two people/night, €10 per additional person.

Room in a pretty cottage in a small town 20 km from Bar-le-Duc. Comprises a double bedroom, bathroom, separate WC, private living room.

Well-equipped kitchen, large common room (capacity: 60 people) with open fire. 5 bedrooms on ground floor (3 or 4 single beds per room), 4 bedrooms upstairs (3 to 5 single beds per room). Booking required.

In a quiet village close to all amenities, the Appart des Chevreuils comprises an equipped kitchen, a living room, 2 bedrooms and a sofa bed, a shower room and a separate toilet. Parking is available nearby. Reduced rate for 1 person only, please contact us.

Amenities: well-equipped kitchen, dining hall, kitchen, showers (4), toilet and dormitory with 12 beds. Booking required. Bond cheque.

Bar-le-Duc 17 km - Verdun 60 km. This very fine residence in the centre of the village, first owned by the Duke of Bar, and then by the Duke of Lorraine. Indigo room (1 double bed), Tour (Tower) room (1 double bed) with wheelchair access, Pourpre (Purple - Gîtes de France) room on 1st floor of the tower (1 double bed) and the suite: apartment with upstairs bedroom (1 double bed) and lounge at garden level. All the rooms have private bathroom and WC, as well as TV. Lounge for guests.