Connantre offers an unusual combination of memorial sites and activities: the German military cemetery commemorates the First World War, while the Centre Équestre de la Vaure offers riding lessons, courses, and competitions. Natural swimming is also available from July to September. When planning your visit, you can first decide what you want to focus on: memorial history, equestrian activities, or the seasonal swimming facilities. If you are looking for hotels in Connantre, you can take your main reason for visiting into account when choosing where to stay. Geographically, the town lies in the Champagne crayeuse between the Vaure Valley and the foothills of Mont Août.
The military cemetery and its origins
The German military cemetery in Connantre was established in 1922 by the French military authorities as a collective cemetery for German soldiers who had died in 67 communes. They lost their lives south of the river in early September 1914 during the First Battle of the Marne. The two dates have different roles: 1914 refers to the fighting, while 1922 marks the establishment of the cemetery. This distinction clarifies the chronology of the memorial site without conflating the battle with the cemetery’s founding.
A central terracotta sculpture in the cemetery was made by the Nymphenburg Porcelain Manufactory and is protected by an intricately crafted copper grille. These specific details about its material, creation, and protection add to the history of the collective cemetery. Visitors interested in the memorial site will find an artistic point of interest alongside its history: the central sculpture and the grille surrounding it.
Church art and a grave at the former cemetery
The Église Saint-Caprais houses an 18th-century tabernacle and cross. Both are made of carved wood. Their date and material give the church furnishings their own historical context, distinct from the history of the military cemetery. There is also a grave of Alexandre Chepeleff beside the church, at the site of the former cemetery. The church and the grave are therefore two distinct points of interest: the carved furnishings from the 18th century on the one hand, and a grave at the former cemetery site on the other.
Equestrian activities in Connantre
The Centre Équestre de la Vaure welcomes both beginners and experienced riders. Its activities include riding lessons, courses, and competitions. These formats offer different ways to enjoy an equestrian visit: you can plan around a lesson, a course, or a competition. As activities may change, we recommend confirming your preferred option directly with the centre before your visit.
Natural swimming from July to September
The natural swimming pool at Château de Connantre offers natural swimming from July to September. The water is entirely natural and filtered by aquatic plants. The Baignade biologique also features children’s play equipment and an educational trail. Swimming, plant-based filtration, and the educational trail combine to make this a seasonal offering, quite different from the town’s historical sites. As seasonal arrangements and individual activities may change, check the latest visitor information before your visit.
Discover more destinations: Matougues, Rilly-La-Montagne, Vertus, Mancy, Courtisols, Boursault, Linthes, Dizy.
For the regional travel overview: Marne.
