Timeline of a territory
secrets of stones
Archaeology
The first farmers of the world
A unique feature!
The Marshes of Saint-Gond area was occupied since the Paleolithic period, about 70,000 BC in Villevenard. The Neolithic period is well represented by megalithism, collective underground burials dug in the chalk on the hillside. There are more than 120 hypogeums, a unique feature in France.
The Middle Ages
in the Paysages de la Champagne
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. It has small side windows and its porch dates from the Carolingian period. The marshes of Saint Gond are full of Romanesque churches to discover. Exceptional painted frescoes remain in some of them, like in the church of Saint-Alpin de Villevenard. This church catches the eye with its octagonal bell tower from the 12th century, which is quite rare in France, since these bell towers were more common in Armenia at that time.
Hidden wonder of the Middle Ages
In the Middle Ages, the village of Troissy played a very important role in the Marne Valley. It became an essential place for communication (goods, people, troops...) and the Lords of Châtillon made it a stronghold. During the Renaissance, the beautiful church of St Martin was built, its medieval crypt from the 12th century is classified and remarkably preserved. Rectangular in shape, it is divided into two naves of three bays each. It was once the starting point of several underground passages, now blocked.
Castle life
history of architecture
An impressive castle!
Victor Hugo described the castle of Montmort as "a delightful hodgepodge of turrets, weathervanes, gables, dormers and chimneys".
The castle impresses by its majesty and elegance: brick construction, raised slate roofs, protected by double moats, accessible by a three-arched bridge that leads to the drawbridge. Fortress in the Middle Ages, it was transformed into a residence of pleasure at the Renaissance. The castle of Montmort is hung to the cliff and dominates the landscape, the waterway of Surmelin below...-
Chambord in Champagne !
Built between 1843 and 1848, on the site of a feudal castle, the castle of Boursault was built on the initiative of Madame Barbe Nicole Ponsardin, known as "the Widow Clicquot" (1777-1866). In neo-Renaissance style, it resembles the castle of Chambord: while the latter has 35 chimneys, the Boursault castle has 365 openings. It was the setting for many celebrations of the famous "great woman of champagne". It is one of the rare Champagne estates to have a enclosed area, in which are the vines, the press, the vat room but also the cellars.
A jewel inside!
The castle of Condé-en-Brie is listed as historical monument. It recalls a part of the history of France through famous characters such as the Princes of Condé or Jean de La Fontaine...
You will be impressed by the "Watteau" wing and its frescoes, Richelieu's room, the beautiful "trompe l'oeil" by Servandoni, the "small private apartments" and the exceptional salon decorated by Oudry where a surprise awaits visitors!
