Montreuil-aux-Lions: Heritage, Trails and Landscape

Montreuil-aux-Lions lies on the edge of Champagne and is shaped by wooded hills, green valleys and streams that flow into the Marne. Local points of interest include a 12th-century church, a circular hike with named landmarks, a historic cemetery and farm-gate produce. Depending on whether you are more interested in architectural history, a specific route or the landscape, you can choose different priorities for your stay.

Church and Historical Traces

The Église Saint-Martin dates from the 12th century and is particularly notable for the size and quality of its stained-glass windows. It is listed as a Monument historique; the listing date is January 12, 1921.

The Templar commandery of Sablonnière was established in the Middle Ages near the hamlet of Sablonnière. Another historical landmark is the Ferme de l’Hôpital: it is the only surviving remnant of the former hospital commandery of Templar origin.

Montreuil-aux-Lions British Cemetery contains 171 First World War burials and commemorations for Commonwealth personnel. It lies east of the village beside a main road and can be reached from Château-Thierry via the D1003. Check local access arrangements before your visit.

Hiking Trails and Streams

There are 30 signposted hiking trails in the area, covering a total of 474 kilometres. Conditions on individual trails may change. This wider selection differs from the specific circular hike, “Les Rus de Montreuil-aux-Lions,” whose starting point, return point and landmarks are named.

The loop starts at the car park opposite the town hall and ends back at the starting point. It follows a path alongside the Ru de Bézu as far as Rue des Marais and leads to the Lavoir de Sablonnière and its spring. This hike therefore has both a named starting point and specific landscape and historical landmarks. Access information may change if local parking rules change, so check the starting point before your hike.

Landscape, Route and Getting There

Wooded hills, green valleys and numerous streams flowing into the Marne shape the landscape of Montreuil-aux-Lions. Stage 19 of the Route Touristique du Champagne provides a regional route connection: it is 50 kilometres long and is titled “Autour de Montreuil-aux-Lions.” Signposting and downloadable tracks may change; check them when planning your trip.

For road travel, the municipality gives a drive of less than an hour from Paris via the A4 and 15 minutes from Château-Thierry via the D1003. Actual journey times depend on traffic and road conditions. While stage 19 of the regional Route Touristique du Champagne covers 50 kilometres, the circular hike “Les Rus de Montreuil-aux-Lions” starts at the car park opposite the town hall and follows the Ru de Bézu as far as Rue des Marais, as well as leading to the Lavoir de Sablonnière and its spring.

Crafts and Farm-Gate Produce

Declercq Passementiers has workshops in Montreuil-aux-Lions and has held the “Entreprise du patrimoine vivant” label since 2007. This makes a named artisan business another cultural point of interest in the area. The Ferme de la Loge is listed as selling Haricots de Soissons and chickpeas directly from the farm. Strawberries are sold there directly from the farm from late May through July. Confirm sales arrangements and product availability before visiting.

Discover More Destinations

Discover more destinations: Craonnelle, Fontaine-Lès-Vervins, Suzy, Saint-Eugène, Corbeny, Vassogne, Connigis, Saint-Pierre-De-Franqueville.

For the broader travel guide: Aisne.