Vertus offers a variety of options to shape your travel plans: historic landmarks, a visit to Champagne Chaumont, walking trails and water-based activities. You can tailor your stay to suit whether culture, outdoor activities or a break in the fresh air is your priority.
Cultural history and Champagne
The Hôtel-Dieu was founded in 1210 by the Counts of Champagne. The Chapelle Saint-Nicolas is all that remains at the original site. The Église Saint-Martin has been classified as a Monument historique since 24 March 1854. This date marks its classification; it is a different historical reference from the Hôtel-Dieu’s founding year. Together, these dates provide two specific chronological reference points for Vertus’ cultural history, without suggesting that the buildings share the same story.
Champagne Chaumont also offers a distinct way to explore Champagne: visitors can tour the cooperative’s production facilities in Vertus. The visitor experience concludes with a tasting of some of the house’s Champagnes. Champagne Chaumont also offers a guided walk through its vineyards. The tour of the production facilities and the walk through the vineyards offer different perspectives—one focuses on production, the other on the vineyards. If you plan to take part in either experience, confirm your booking and availability in advance.
Walking and cycling
The PR 139 walking route, “Circuit la Vertusienne,” is a 13.8-kilometre circular walk starting in Vertus. Its stated distance gives you a clear idea of the route’s length when planning your walk. The steeper PR 140 walking route, “Circuit des Falaises,” starts at the foot of the impressive chalk cliff ridge of the Faloises. These offer different walking options: PR 139 is a circular route of a specified length, while PR 140 is explicitly steeper and starts at the cliff ridge.
If you prefer to get around by bicycle, you can rent bikes in Vertus. The described routes follow roads through the Champagne vineyards, to wine-growing villages and alongside the rows of vines; views of the slopes are also part of the experience. This lets you explore the area in a different way than on foot. As this is a visitor service whose availability may vary over time, check that bikes are available before you arrive.
Water activities and picnics
At the Étang des Chantereines, several bodies of water are connected by paths. Visitor facilities include picnic areas, tables, barbecue spots and a boules court. Swimming is not allowed there. The Étang is therefore suitable for a break outdoors or a game of boules, but not for swimming. If you plan to visit, check local conditions before setting out.
The Piscine Neptune offers a different focus: it has three pools and offers swimming lessons, aquagym, aquabike and other water activities. The facility is accessible to people with reduced mobility. The difference between the two water options is clear: the Étang is geared towards picnics and boules, while the Piscine Neptune offers pools and organised water activities. Check the Piscine Neptune’s opening arrangements before you arrive.
Plan your stay around what matters to you
Would you like to focus on the historic landmarks and what Champagne Chaumont has to offer, plan a walk or bike ride, or set aside time for water activities and a picnic? You can search for a hotel that suits your own travel plans.
Discover more destinations: Bourg-Sainte-Marie, Bassuet, Châtillon-Sur-Marne, Ay, Baye, Arcis-le-Ponsart, Arrigny, La Neuville-Aux-Larris
For the broader travel overview: Marne.
