The PR126 Circuit de Chouilly Ă Saran circular route begins at the Jardin Humide and passes through the vineyards to the Butte de Saran before returning to the park. It thus connects two distinct landscape features: wetlands and vineyard slopes. Viewpoints, a nature trail and Saint-Martin Church add opportunities to enjoy nature and culture along the way.
Vineyards and views
Chouilly’s vineyards cover 500 hectares and extend down the slopes. From numerous viewpoints, you can see across the Côte des Blancs. The Boucle de Chouilly (A) passes through the municipal vineyards to the Butte de Saran. From there, the view stretches across the entire valley, especially towards the Montagne de Reims on the opposite side and the plain to the east. The vineyard viewpoints therefore offer a different perspective from the one at the Butte: here, the view opens out across the wider valley.
The PR126 and the Jardin Humide
The PR126 Circuit de Chouilly Ă Saran is 11.2 kilometres long and takes 2 hours and 45 minutes. It passes through Chouilly along vineyard paths to the Butte de Saran and by the Romanesque Saint-Martin Church. On the return, the route crosses a bridge over the Tarnauds River and reaches the Jardin Humide again. Before setting out, check the route details, signage and course.
The Jardin Humide is a 3.5-hectare public wetland park. Its nature trail introduces the area’s fauna and flora and covers topics including birds and the concept of pike spawning grounds. A walk through the wetland thus also offers insight into its animal and plant life. A wooden boardwalk can be used on foot or by bicycle; there is also a viewpoint and picnic spots on the riverbank. The PR 118 and PR 126 hiking trails can be reached from the Jardin Humide. As park facilities may change, check their condition before your visit.
Saint-Martin: castle chapel and building history
Saint-Martin Church is the surviving chapel of Chouilly’s former castle. The Romanesque building dates from the 11th century; a Gothic extension was added in the 15th century. The two building phases can be distinguished as a Romanesque origin followed by a later Gothic enlargement. Its function as a chapel also links it to the former castle and roots the building in the history of the town.
Viticulture at the Jardin de vignes
The Jardin de vignes focuses on something different from the vineyard trails: viticulture itself. The open-air museum showcases vine-training methods and the permitted pruning methods used in Champagne. Mature vines and educational panels explain the practices. There is also a miniature Champagne vineyard and calcicolous plants. While the trails let you experience viticulture as part of the landscape, the Jardin de vignes draws attention to the vines, cultivation methods and related plant life.
Discover more destinations: Lavannes, Thiéblemont-Farémont, Pierry, Oger, Vertus, Congy, Venteuil, Saint-Martin-Sur-Le-Pré.
For the broader travel overview: Marne.
