Chronology of a territory
stone secrets
Archaeology
The world's first farmers
A unique feature!
The Marais de Saint Gond region has been occupied since the Paleolithic era, at least 70,000 BC at Villevenard. The Neolithic period is well represented by megalithic settlements, underground collective burials dug into the chalk on the hillsides, numerous flint mines and a few settlements. There areover 120 hypogea, a unique feature in France.
The Middle Ages
in the champagne landscape
On the road to small Romanesque churches
Dating from the 10th century, the church of Saint Prix is one of the oldest Romanesque buildings in the Marne. The Marais de Saint Gond offers a wealth of Romanesque churches to discover, some of which still boast exceptional painted frescoes, such as the church of Saint-Alpin in Villevenard. The church's eye-catching 12th-century octagonal steeple is a rarity in France, since such steeples were more common in Armenia at the time.
Hidden marvel of the Middle Ages
In the Middle Ages, Troissy played an important role in the Marne Valley. An essential communication route (goods, people, troops...), the Lords of Châtillon turned it into a stronghold. During the Renaissance, they built a beautiful church dedicated to St. Martin. The 12th-century crypt, built beneath the medieval castle, is listed and remarkably well-preserved. Rectangular in shape, it is divided into two naves of three bays each, and was once the starting point for several underground passages that are now blocked.
Castle life
history of architecture
An impressive castle!
Victor Hugo described Château de Montmort as "a delightful tohu-bohu of turrets, weather vanes, gables, dormers and chimneys".
The castle's silhouette suddenly appears, impressive in its majesty and elegance: a raised brick structure with slate roofs, protected by double moats, accessible by a three-arched bridge leading to the drawbridge. A ruined medieval fortress transformed during the Renaissance into a pleasure residence, Château de Montmort, clinging to the cliff, dominates the landscape, with the course of the Surmelin below...
Chambord in Champagne!
Château de Boursault, built between 1843 and 1848 on the initiative of Madame Barbe Nicole Ponsardin, known as Veuve Clicquot (1777- 1866), was erected on the site of a feudal château. Neo-Renaissance in style, it resembles the Château de Chambord: while the latter has 35 fireplaces, the Château de Boursault has 365 openings. It was the setting for receptions given by the famous "grande dame of champagne". It is one of the few estates in Champagne to have a "clos", which houses the vines, the press, the winery and the cellars.
A jewel inside!
The Château de Condé-en-Brie, a listed historic monument, evokes a part of French history through illustrious figures such as the Princes de Condé and Jean de La Fontaine.
You'll love the "Watteau" wing and its frescoes, Richelieu's bedroom, Servandoni's magnificent "trompe l'œil" and the "petits appartements privés". The exceptional salon decorated by Oudry, where a surprise awaits visitors!
