La Chapelle-Monthodon: Culture, Church and Champagne

La Chapelle-Monthodon offers several themes to consider when planning your trip: the church of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary (Église de la Nativité-de-la-Sainte-Vierge), the history of the First World War, artistically decorated washhouses, Champagne tours and a section of the GR14 long-distance hiking trail. Architectural history, remembrance, Champagne and hiking offer different points of interest; you can choose which theme will shape your stay most.

Church: architectural history and medieval tiles

The church of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary (Église de la Nativité-de-la-Sainte-Vierge) 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 plan is described as “ad quadratum” and as a Latin cross. This draws attention both to individual architectural elements and their dates, and to the overall form of the church.

A 2024 description of an exhibition of the removed medieval floor tiles includes seven frames, each containing 36 tiles. The tiles therefore form a distinct focus alongside the architecture and building history: the number of frames and their uniform arrangement give the exhibition a clear structure.

Memorial sites and artistic washhouses

The memorial at the Ferme de la Verdure was built in 1929 and 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. Built in 1929, the memorial dates to a time after the events of 1918 and broadens the focus beyond medieval architectural history to include remembrance of the First World War.

The washhouses in Baulne and La Chapelle-Monthodon were decorated by artists. They offer an artistic way to discover the fables of Jean de La Fontaine in this region in the south of the Aisne department. This adds a literary focus alongside the church and memorial: the fables become the subject of artistic interpretation. There are four more washhouses in the La Chapelle-Monthodon area.

Champagne tours

Champagne Sourdet-Diot offers a guided tour in La Chapelle-Monthodon explaining how Champagne is made. The tour ends with a tasting of various Champagnes. Champagne Christian DOUARD produces Champagnes from its “Tradition” and “Prestige” ranges, as well as Blanc de Blancs, and also offers vineyard tours.

The main difference between the tours is their format: Sourdet-Diot’s tour includes an explanation of the production process followed by a tasting; Christian DOUARD offers a vineyard tour. Visiting arrangements at Sourdet-Diot may change; for vineyard tours with Christian DOUARD, check the arrangements with the producer.

The GR14 as a hiking option

A 17-kilometre section of the GR14 in the Aisne department runs from Crézancy to La Chapelle-Monthodon. The GR14, which reaches La Chapelle-Monthodon, continues through the Champagne vineyards and the Argonne Forest; most of the route passes through plains and valleys. The 17 kilometres refer to the section from Crézancy to La Chapelle-Monthodon, while the landscape description characterises the long-distance trail over a broader stretch. Check the waymarking and trail conditions before setting out.

Discover more destinations: Coucy-Le-Château-Auffrique, Esquéhéries, Orgeval, Autreppes, Besmé, Bruyères-Et-Montbérault, Chézy-En-Orxois, Neuvillette

For the main travel overview: Aisne.