Discover Droizy in Aisne, Picardy

To the south of the Chemin des Dames and the Caverne du Dragon, in the Aisne valley, in the heart of Picardy, this hike highlights a little-known type of habitat, built directly into the rock. The troglodytic village of Paissy still has many crevices which shelter houses or their outbuildings.

Running along the Oise to Aisne canal, this route allows visitors to discover the many devices developed by man to exploit the river network. A reminder of the golden age of canals, the canal bridge spanning the Aisne is one of the highlights of the tour.

A choice circuit reserved for the most athletic of mountain bikers! With a total vertical drop of over 600 metres, this technical route takes you along the slopes of two steep valleys, the Ailette and the Aisne, bridged by the Chemin des Dames ridge. Along the way, don't miss the troglodyte dwellings to be found in several localities.

Nestling in the hollow of a valley, this short circuit allows you to discover a strange device: at this point the Oise to Aisne canal runs into a 2,365 m long tunnel, linking the Aisne valley to the Ailette valley. To understand how it works, do not hesitate to consult the interpretation panel at Braye-en-Laonnois.

A beautiful walk combining vast plateaux (with beautiful views over the surrounding villages) and forest, during which you will come across the ‘creuttes’ (or troglodyte dwellings) dug into the limestone slopes at Mont de Fléau, the highest point in this part of the Chemin des Dames and a place where bats roost. And don't forget that you'll be walking along two sections of the GR 142 and GR 12 hiking trails... To follow this walk, you can park near the Vendresse wash-house, next to the Mal-Bâtie. Translated with DeepL.com (free version)

This limestone grassland, located on the right bank of the Aisne valley 26 km south-east of Laon, is, according to the Conservatoire des Espaces Naturels (CEN) des Hauts-de-France, which manages it, one of the "most original natural habitats in the department [of Aisne]". It lies close to the communes of Oeuilly and Pargnan and is part of the Coteaux du Chemin des Dames Regional Nature Reserve (RNR). In terms of flora and fauna, connoisseurs will be able to spot Hyssop officinale - the only place in Picardy where you can find this southern plant! - or see the dreaded Mantis religiosa in the tall grasses!

The hillsides here are home to flora and fauna typical of calcicolous lawns. Stroll between Mont Bossu, Mont des Vaches and Mont Ecoué, and fall under the charm of the Laonnais country!

This very pleasant loop takes you up and down through woodland and across dry grassland, amid landscapes deeply marked by twentieth-century history... Now a protected and well-maintained site, this hill is home to a number of particularly remarkable and endangered plants and animals, despite its relief, which was tormented by shell holes and has now been reclaimed by vegetation. So enjoy your visit to this key site on the Chemin des Dames!

An exceptional site that this troglodytic place... From the original hearth to the shelter during the conflicts through the extraction of the stone, this fantastic place contains in the depths of its stone all the history of the region.

ArrayYour Experience The Château de Pierrefonds is a remarkable medieval castle built in the 14th century that was dismantled in the 17th century. Napoleon III imagined this castle into reality and from the ruins arose the reinvented castle of Pierrefonds! Admire the medieval-style reconstruction adapted by Napolean’s trusted architect, Eugène Viollet-le-Duc, who breathed life into Naploean’s fantasy of turning this landmark to his French country home. Walk past the intricately-sculpted decors along with the quirky paintings that adorn the walls. As you stroll along the stone walkways, picture an active defense system in place: we’re talking creaking drawbridges, rakish invaders, and valiant knights on white horses! Head downstairs to the basements and lurk around the tombs that rest here. Did You Know: This castle was built in the 14th century, dismantled in the 17th century, and restored in the 19th century?

As if it were the Baie de Somme... Its 241 hectares, 60% of which are covered by water, offer visitors a patchwork of amazing landscapes located in the immediate vicinity of the Marne: ponds, reed beds, meadows and groves provide shelter and food for more than 225 species of birds, some of which are endangered in the region, and which are undoubtedly the most remarkable wealth of the reserve ... Exceptional for the fauna and flora it shelters, it is part of the Natura 2000 site "Les Boucles de la Marne". Not so long ago, the Grand-Voyeux Regional Nature Reserve was still a quarry, where conveyors extracted sand and gravel with a crunch of grains. Excavated in the 1970s, the cavities were gradually transformed into waterholes, quickly colonised by reeds and birds, thus allowing nature to take over. The Maison du Grand-Voyeux is open to the public two days a week, with the aim of helping visitors discover the Grand-Voyeux while preserving biodiversity and the balance of the ecosystems. A discovery trail and observatories allow visitors to discover the incredible landscapes of the site and the multitude of bird species that have found refuge there. Nature activities, workshops and thematic conferences are also organised regularly and free of charge (see programme online at www.maisondugrandvoyeux.fr). Managed by the Agence des espaces verts (AEV) of the Île-de-France Region since 1999, it was classified as a Regional Nature Reserve in 2012. A partner of the AEV, the Association pour la Valorisation des Espaces Naturels du Grand Voyeux is responsible for the scientific monitoring of the site and for certain activities.

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!

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! 

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! 

An essential collection on the 1914-18 war. With a collection of nearly 70,000 objects and documents recounting daily and military life during the 1914-18 war, the Musée de la Grande Guerre (Great War Museum), which opened its doors on 11 November 2011 on the grounds of the First Battle of the Marne in Meaux, is Europe's largest museum on the First World War. Covering an area of 3,000 m², it features one of the richest and most diverse collections on the 1914-18 war in an attractive and innovative setting. The Musée de la Grande Guerre (Great War Museum) is the ideal place for a family visit. A veritable treasure trove of educational resources throughout the collection: see, hear, touch and handle.... A fun tour for visitors aged 5 and over: projections of archive images, reconstructions of trenches, a video space where are immersed among the soldiers in the trenches or on the battlefield, games to discover the composition of uniforms, the sounds of war, the geographical evolution of the conflict zones ... Several audio tours are available free of charge on your mobile phone or tablet, ask at the information desk for instructions.

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.

Situated in the valley of Clignon and Ourcq at the bottom of the Orxois, the town of Crouy sur Ourq offers its green and quiet surroundings. Moors and forest form the setting for the town's heritage gathered arround the church Saint-Cyr and Saint Julitte. The fortress which watched over the village since the 15th century has mostly been destroyed except the Donjon de Houssoy witness to the medieval past. It's summit offers a panoramic view over village and surroundings.

Built around 1390, this keep is a monumental reminder of Crouy-sur-Ourcq's medieval heritage. Nestling at the bottom of the valley and built at the height of the 100 Years' War, it is the finest jewel in the crown of the Ourcq Valley. To delimit their vast territory, the Counts of Valois built defensive fortresses, often ostentatiously to show off their power and wealth. On the border with the lands of the Counts of Champagne, it was strategic to build this keep on the banks of the River Ourcq from the end of the 14th century. You can discover this keep, the only one in northern Seine-et-Marne and listed as a Historic Monument in 1962, during the European Heritage Days, or take a look at it from the outside during a walk in Crouy-sur-Ourcq.

The military cemetery and war memorial were erected in memory of the French soldiers who died fighting for the capture of Etrépilly on 7 September 1914 during the Battle of the Ourcq (6-9 September 1914). The Battle of the Ourcq (or Battle of Multien) was part of the large-scale operation that was the First Battle of the Marne. This French counter-offensive halted the Germans' advance and forced them to retreat further north. In the Ourcq region, and more specifically on the Multien plateau, the communes of Etrépilly, Douy-la-Ramée, Marcilly, Puisieux, Vincy-Manoeuvre and Trocy-en-Multien were the scene of fierce fighting. A hiking trail will allow you to walk in the footsteps of the "poilus" [literally, "the hairy ones" - a term of endearment for the French infantry of World War I] and wander through the landscapes that were, almost 100 years, a huge battlefield.

Listed as a remarkable garden this venue is worth a detour... The garden overlooks the valley of Petit Morin. Its pièce de resistance is undoubtedly the plant cathedral, an ambitious project carried out over 6 years and inaugurated in June 2017. This verdant temple is open to persons of all spiritual traditions. Consecrated to family love, the cathedral is accentuated by sculptures from Robert Arnoux and stained glass windows by Laurence Weber. The garden also features a unique skeleton, made of steel and stone, rather than bone. It is intended to evolve over time, allowing itself to be immersed in branches and leaves with the passage of the seasons to ultimately become a "natural body"! The garden covers 7 hectares. During the course of your visit, you'll encounter extraordinary plants and unique architectural elements, such as rare trees, wild grasses and secret passages that can propel us to another dimension. You can also find mystical creatures, such as giant fairies, or a swing that harkens back to childhood. Let's not forget the huts that are "not like the others"! Le Point du Jour Garden also serves as a tea room, the perfect boutique for original gift ideas and a venue for concerts and other major events… This garden was voted the 2010 Garden of the Year by the French Association of Garden and Horticulture Journalists (AJJH) and now boasts the French Ministry of Culture's official label of a “Remarkable Garden”.

Saint-Jean-Baptiste church from the XIV - XVIth century - Listed as a Historic Monument.

The Merovingian crypt of Jouarre, a jewel of Merovingian art, is unique in Europe. A visit will take you on a journey through time, transporting you from the reign of Dagobert to the French revolution and beyond. The Saint-Paul crypt is supported by two rows of three Gallo-Roman columns, topped by magnificent Merovingian capitals made of white marble. Along with the Saint-Ébrégisile crypt, they contain the tombs of the holy founders of the Notre-Dame de Jouarre abbey. A 7th century sculpture unique in the world can be discovered.

The locality first began to grow in the seventh century, with the foundation of the Abbey of Notre Dame by Adon, and its developing influence. Today, the Abbey houses religious treasures. The crypt of Saint Paul dates from the Merovingian period (seventh century) counting among the most ancient buildings in Europe. Inside, the three naves house the sarcophagi of the Abbey’s founders, decorated with bas-reliefs typical of seventh century sculpture. Also in the crypt there are marble pillars that show Roman influence. During the various invasions of the region, the nuns of Jouarre would apparently wall off this crypt, secreting it behind a false chapel. The church of Saint Pierre-Saint Paul, built in the fifteenth and sixteenth century, holds the reliquaries of the founding saints of the monastery of Notre Dame. A fifteenth century Pieta in polychrome stone, and a sixteenth century entombment in polychrome limestone, attributed to Michel Colombe, are also worth admiring. The large remaining tower dates from the twelfth century. The monastic buildings of the Abbey of Jouarre date mostly from the eighteenth century. Spiritual retreats at the Abbey of Jouarre Retreats with the sisters of Notre Dame de Jouarre

This museum of social anthropology has presented since opening in 1995 material witnesses to traditional society in the North East of the Seine-et-Marne, as well as municipal collections on Pierre Mac Orlan (1882-1970), a writer of "social fantasy", who lived for about forty years in Saint-Cyr-sur-Morin. In the old inn, “La Moderne” (a building that has been completely reconstructed and extended with a modern wing), a permanent exhibition evokes agriculture, breeding, village and semi urban crafts, the use of raw materials and the rural habitat in a sector heavily affected by the urban expansion of Marne-La Vallée. Specific areas are available to consult documents and videos on regional social anthropology the result of extensive collection work in the field.

As if it were the Baie de Somme... Its 241 hectares, 60% of which are covered by water, offer visitors a patchwork of amazing landscapes located in the immediate vicinity of the Marne: ponds, reed beds, meadows and groves provide shelter and food for more than 225 species of birds, some of which are endangered in the region, and which are undoubtedly the most remarkable wealth of the reserve ... Exceptional for the fauna and flora it shelters, it is part of the Natura 2000 site "Les Boucles de la Marne". Not so long ago, the Grand-Voyeux Regional Nature Reserve was still a quarry, where conveyors extracted sand and gravel with a crunch of grains. Excavated in the 1970s, the cavities were gradually transformed into waterholes, quickly colonised by reeds and birds, thus allowing nature to take over. The Maison du Grand-Voyeux is open to the public two days a week, with the aim of helping visitors discover the Grand-Voyeux while preserving biodiversity and the balance of the ecosystems. A discovery trail and observatories allow visitors to discover the incredible landscapes of the site and the multitude of bird species that have found refuge there. Nature activities, workshops and thematic conferences are also organised regularly and free of charge (see programme online at www.maisondugrandvoyeux.fr). Managed by the Agence des espaces verts (AEV) of the Île-de-France Region since 1999, it was classified as a Regional Nature Reserve in 2012. A partner of the AEV, the Association pour la Valorisation des Espaces Naturels du Grand Voyeux is responsible for the scientific monitoring of the site and for certain activities.

Ideal for a short break and a group photo

An atypical bar-brewery located on the Chemin des Dames ridge, which offers a la carte specialities.

Facing the Ailette lake, by the swimming pool, the Albatros offers you a refined setting for a relaxing break.

Located at the Portes de la Champagne, 1 hour from Paris and 45 minutes from Reims, close to Château-Thierry, discover the charms of the Chateau de la Marjolaine by Jean-Pierre and Bruno. The castle of Marjolaine is classified Logis de France. Located on the tourist route of Champagne, this beautiful house of empire style is the first 4 chimneys of the Aisne and Hauts-de-France. Between the river and the vineyards, let yourself be seduced by the tranquility of the banks of the Marne during your walks. Enjoy the gentle tranquility of the garden and enjoy a glass of champagne served at the hotel's 'champagne bar'. Then relax in the pool and relaxation area.

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