The church, medieval tiles and Champagne are among the highlights to discover in La Chapelle-Monthodon, along with the GR14 long-distance hiking trail. Together, they offer several points of interest: sacred architectural history, the Ferme de la Verdure Memorial, visits to Champagne producers and hiking. The specific details can help you plan your stay around whether architecture, wine or a hiking route is your main focus.

Church and medieval tiles

The Église de la Nativité-de-la-Sainte-Vierge in La Chapelle-Monthodon was listed as a historic monument in 1920. The choir and the bell tower at the crossing of the transept date from the 13th century. The floor plan is in the shape of a Latin cross and is described as “ad quadratum.” The excavated medieval floor tiles are displayed in the church in seven frames, each containing 36 tiles. The church thus brings together different points of interest: its overall layout, older structural elements and its tilework. These details give architecture enthusiasts a concrete focus for exploring the church.

Memorial and washhouses

The Ferme de la Verdure Memorial broadens the historical focus to include the First World War. Erected in 1929, it commemorates the failure of the last German offensive on 15 July 1918. It also marks the southern limit of the German advance during the Second Battle of the Marne. Its reference to a specific date and its geographical significance provide a different perspective from the church’s older architectural history.

The washhouses of Baulne and La Chapelle-Monthodon are also part of the area’s cultural attractions: artists have decorated them, offering an artistic way to discover the fables of Jean de La Fontaine in this region in the south of the Aisne department. There are also four more washhouses in the La Chapelle-Monthodon area. Together, the church architecture, memorial and washhouses offer different points of interest for a culturally focused stay.

Champagne tours

Champagne Sourdet-Diot offers a guided tour in La Chapelle-Monthodon that explains how Champagne is made and ends with a tasting of different Champagnes. As visitor arrangements may change, confirm tour availability with the producer in advance.

Champagne Christian DOUARD offers vineyard tours; check the arrangements directly with the producer in advance. The two experiences have different focuses: the Sourdet-Diot tour includes explanations of the production process and a tasting, while DOUARD offers a vineyard visit. When choosing between them, consider whether you are more interested in production and tasting or in the vineyard.

The GR14: one section and a longer route

A 17-kilometre section in the Aisne department runs from Crézancy to La Chapelle-Monthodon. This distance refers to the section, not the entire long-distance trail. The GR14 passes through the Champagne vineyards and the Argonne Forest; most of the route runs across plains and valleys. The 17 kilometres therefore describe a specific section, while the vineyards, forest, plains and valleys characterize the longer trail. Before setting out, check the trail markers and route conditions.

Discover more destinations: Ribemont, Autreppes, Achery, Bourg-Et-Comin, Baulne-En-Brie, Aisonville-Et-Bernoville, Laon, Essômes-Sur-Marne.

For the regional travel overview: Aisne.