In the Marne Valley, starting from Reuil

This short walk takes you along the banks of the Marne and up to the hills of the Champagne vineyards. Beautiful views over the valley. You can visit the charming village of Châtillon-sur-Marne and the statue of Urban II.

Details

n°982542

Creation:
20 Feb 2018

Last update:
10 Apr 2020

Last review:
01 Aug 2023

Activity: Walking
Distance: 15.94 km
Average duration: 5h 15
Difficulty: Moderate
Back to start: Yes
Ascent: + 251 m
Descent: - 250 m
Highest point: 166 m
Lowest point: 65 m

Country: France
District: Reuil (51480)
Start/End: N 49.082344° / E 3.797926°
IGN map(s): Ref. 2713E, 2713O
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Photos

Description of the walk

The route starts at the Reuil water sports centre, where you can park.

(S/E) Take the path (^GR®14) which follows the Marne westwards (away from the bridge). Follow it to the next bridge. The path along the Marne has recently been tarmac-surfaced. It is therefore now popular with cyclists.

(1) Go under the bridge, leave the^GR® and continue along the Marne.

(2) Just before the lock, turn right, then right again towards Vandières.

(3) Cross the D1 road, head straight ahead and enter the village of Vandières. Keep going in the same direction until you reach the gates of the castle grounds.

(4) Turn right. From this point, you are on the^GR® de Pays du Tardenois and can follow the signposts. At the crossroads, go straight ahead. When you reach the vineyards, turn slightly right. Continue along this path until you reach the first houses of Châtillon-sur-Marne.

(5) Cross the road and go straight ahead. Turn into the first street on the right, then straight ahead onto Rue Godinot. Turn into the first street on the left, then straight ahead onto Rue Pensien. Continue in the same direction along Rue de Montigny. When you reach the D24 road, continue straight ahead to the roundabout.

(6) At the roundabout, continue straight ahead and enter Montigny. At the junction, go straight ahead onto Rue des Pervenches. At the junction, turn right.

(7) Take the first path on the right that leads into the vineyards and continue.

(8) At the crossroads, turn right onto the path leading down towards Binson and Orquigny. At the crossroads, turn left onto Rue de Châtillon. Take the next left, Rue du Lubre, and continue straight on until you reach the village exit.

(9) 100m past the last houses, turn right towards Villers-sous-Châtillon. Take the first left, then the first right, then right again onto Rue de Reuil.

(10) At the vineyards, continue left along the vineyards. At the next junction, turn right in front of the entrance to the Château de Villers park. At the next junction, turn right onto the path leading down towards Reuil. Continuing in the same direction, cross the village and reach the road (D1). Cross it to return to the starting point (S/E).

Waypoints

S/E : km 0 - alt. 67 m - Water sports centre in Reuil - Marne (la)
1 : km 2.94 - alt. 65 m - Passage under the bridge - Base nautique de Port à Binson
2 : km 5.74 - alt. 65 m - On the right, before the lock
3 : km 6.89 - alt. 77 m - Vandières
4 : km 7.38 - alt. 91 m - In front of the castle
5 : km 9.31 - alt. 164 m - Crossing the D23
6 : km 10.47 - alt. 85 m - Roundabout
7 : km 10.99 - alt. 141 m - Turn right into the vineyards
8 : km 12.12 - alt. 134 m - Through the vineyards
9 : km 13.18 - alt. 100 m - Exit at Binson
10 : km 13.98 - alt. 137 m - Turn left at the vineyards
S/E : km 15.94 - alt. 67 m - Water sports centre in Reuil

Notes

Picnic area at the start of the walk, near the (2) (Port à Binson water sports centre) and close to the statue of Urban II in Châtillon.

The banks of the Marne have been tarmac-surfaced for cyclists. Be careful, you can’t hear them coming.

Tourist Office in Châtillon-sur-Marne. Very friendly welcome.

Restaurant, bakery and café, chemist’s in Châtillon-sur-Marne. Supermarket at Clos de la Noue with petrol station.

SNCF railway station in Dormans.

Worth a visit

Statue of Pope Urban II in Châtillon-sur-Marne.

Private châteaux in Vandières and Villers.

Champagne producers in all the villages along the route. Champagne by the glass in cafés.

Reviews and comments

4.8 / 5

Based on 4 reviews

Reliability of the description
4.5 / 5

Ease of following the route
4.8 / 5

Route interest
5 / 5

scorto

01 Aug 2023 at 18:13 7200

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 01, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Hello, a lovely walk that took us 3 hours. Don’t be fooled by the first 7 km, which are flat along the Marne, as it gets quite steep in places after that, but it was very, very pleasant. This route would benefit from proper signposting, but with the GPX file there’s no problem. An alternative route involves going past the lock rather than turning off 100 m before it, as the lock keeper has created some lovely features there. At the castle, at the Villers-sous-Chatillon exit, after the first bend, take the small ‘side lane’ on the left through the vineyards to avoid the traffic, as cars often drive fast there and, as it’s a bend, it’s safer. I think we’ll do it the other way round next time. Thanks for this route.

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virgule

03 Sep 2022 at 17:16 7200

There’s now a chalet where you can have a drink and a bite to eat at Clos de la Noue, on the banks of the Marne, Healthy Collection. Check it out on Google or Facebook

Worth a try

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virgule

13 Jul 2019 at 09:14 7200

Thanks for the photos. This route was lacking a bit in that respect.

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virgule

11 Jul 2019 at 08:04 7200

Thank you for your review

Indeed, when you walk westwards, the sun is in your eyes.

I’m currently putting together the Château-Thierry to Dormans route via the Dhuys aqueduct and the banks of the Marne. It’s a lovely walk that might appeal to a hiker arriving by train.

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ovil

10 Jul 2019 at 00:13 7200 • Edited: 12 Jul 2019 at 22:30 7200

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 09, 2019
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

We set off from Dormans station and followed the Marne as far as the Try bridge, where we joined the cycle path on the opposite bank. We therefore started the route at the lock.
We went on the walk on a lovely day; it was a bit chilly in the morning but got warmer and warmer. The return journey along the cycle path with the sun in our faces was a bit more challenging.
Stunning scenery and charming villages.
We received a warm welcome at the Chatillon tourist office, where we picked up some interesting information.
To round off the practical information, in Chatillon there are also picnic tables and toilets near the statue of Urban II and a bakery opposite the church.

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helenealain

15 May 2018 at 07:49 7200

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : May 12, 2018
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

a lovely route
with magnificent views of the Marne vineyards and lovely stretches through villages
There are indeed muddy patches, even after days without rain.

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virgule

31 Mar 2018 at 19:01 7200

Thank you

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didierjp

31 Mar 2018 at 15:32 7200

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Mar 27, 2018
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

A lovely walk with some beautiful views: the banks of the Marne, vineyards and the valley. You’re watched over by the imposing statue of Pope Urban II, which you absolutely must see up close. The village of Châtillon-sur-Marne is very pleasant: it has all the shops you need and even a tourist office where you can pick up free routes of the region.
I did this walk in light, steady rain and rather chilly weather; I’d happily do it again in bright sunshine!
Thanks to the author!

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virgule

25 Feb 2018 at 16:25 3600

Absolutely