Discover Villenauxe-La-Grande

Villenauxe-La-Grande brings together local history, craftsmanship and Champagne: the Ecomuseum explores clay mining and ceramics, the Church of Saint-Pierre-Saint-Paul showcases architectural history and stained glass, and Champagne François Oudard offers insights into viticulture and Champagne production. If you are looking for a hotel in Villenauxe-La-Grande, you can plan your stay around whether you want to focus on culture and architecture or on the production of Champagne. Options range from a walk to architectural landmarks and old houses to guided tours and visits by appointment.

Clay Mining and Ceramics at the Ecomuseum

The Clay Mine and Ceramics Ecomuseum presents the history of clay mining and the Tessier manufactory through photographs, films, tools, moulds and ceramics. Photographs and films bring a narrative dimension to the historical subject, while tools, moulds and ceramics complement them with tangible objects from the craft. A guided tour lasting about 90 minutes offers insights into the craft, as well as anecdotes from former residents and employees of the town. The tour thus complements the history of clay mining and the manufactory with personal perspectives on life and work in the town in the past. Guided tours can be booked through the Accueil et Tourisme office. If you plan to take this type of tour, check with the office about booking in advance.

Church of Saint-Pierre-Saint-Paul and Stained Glass

The Church of Saint-Pierre-Saint-Paul was built between the 13th and 16th centuries. The stained-glass artwork was inaugurated in 2005 and created by David Tremlett and the Simon Marq studio. It covers 200 m² across 24 window openings. The construction period and the year of inauguration provide two different points of reference: a building history spanning several centuries and a stained-glass work with a clearly specified date. This lets you appreciate the church’s older architecture and the much more recent artistic contribution as distinct elements. Guided tours of the church can be booked through the tourist office. Contact the office in advance to arrange a tour.

Walk to Old Houses and Architectural Landmarks

The “Patrimoine et vieilles demeures” walk is 1 km long and leads to little-known architectural landmarks and old houses in Villenauxe-La-Grande. Unlike a visit focused on a single building, this walk takes in several sites that form part of the town’s architectural heritage. The route offers a different focus from the church: it leads to a variety of landmarks and houses rather than concentrating on one building. Its stated length of 1 km gives you a clear point of reference when choosing between a walk and a visit.

Champagne and Traditional Production

Champagne François Oudard offers cellar tours and tastings by appointment. Visitors can learn about viticulture, traditional distillation and Champagne production. The visit combines a cellar tour and tasting with insights into several areas of production, so the experience goes beyond tasting alone. As visits and tastings require an appointment, arrange this activity in advance.

The options differ considerably when planning your stay: guided tours at the Ecomuseum and the church are available by reservation, the walk is 1 km long, and cellar tours and tastings at Champagne François Oudard take place by appointment. This makes it easy to consider a cultural visit, a walking route and an experience related to Champagne production as different options for your stay.

Discover more destinations: Chavanges, Saint-Parres-aux-Tertres, Merrey-Sur-Arce, Bagneux-La-Fosse, Saint-Julien-les-Villas, Précy-Notre-Dame, Chaource, Poligny.

For the regional travel overview: Aube.