A short walk between Dizy and Ay-Champagne along the canal and through the vineyards

(S/E) The route starts from the car-share car park in Dizy, situated next to the gendarmerie. Leave the car park and turn right towards the roundabout. Go round the roundabout and continue straight ahead until you reach the bridge. On the bridge, take the footbridge leading down to the canal bank.

(1) Once you reach the canal bank, turn right and walk to the Ay bridge (lock). Please note that this path is also used by a few cyclists.

(2) Before the lock, go up onto the road, cross the bridge and go back down to the other bank of the canal. Continue walking along the canal in the same direction until you reach a road.

(3) Turn left towards Ay. Cross the roundabout and head straight ahead. Walk to the Place de la Mairie, where there are shops and outdoor cafés. Turn left and then immediately right into Rue Gambetta.

(4) Walk past the beautiful Art Nouveau house and carry on in the same direction. Take Rue Anatole France, opposite. Walk as far as Champagne Ayala.

(5) At Champagne Ayala, carry on in the same direction, then turn left onto the path that climbs through the vineyards. Follow this path for 1.5 km.

(6) At this T-junction, turn left. Continue along this path, through the vineyards, which gradually descends towards Dizy. You’ll come out onto Rue du Colonel Fabien.

(7) Turn right. At the traffic lights, turn left onto the road leading back to the roundabout, near the gendarmerie.

(8) Turn right and walk to the car park (S/E).

Alternative route: in dry weather, those who prefer to avoid tarmac can take the grassy bank of the canal between (1) and (2). It’s very peaceful there.

Champagne producers in Dizy and Ay.

In Dizy (roundabout) and Ay (town hall square), there are cafés with terraces serving Champagne by the glass. Bakery in Ay.

Several picnic areas along the route.

You can travel by train to Ay station, near (3)

In Ay, you can visit the Pressoria centre, which is a little off the main route.
In Ay, there is a signposted Lalique route through the town.