Mareuil-sur-Aÿ - Halte fluviale

Aÿ-Champagne (Marne, France)

Aÿ-Champagne is at the heart of the Grande Champagne, on the left bank of the Marne. A municipality formed from the merger of Aÿ, Mareuil-sur-Aÿ and Bisseuil, it is best known for its vineyards classified Grand Cru. The landscape combines vine-covered slopes, chalk-dug cellars and streets lined with winemakers' houses and large champagne houses. The municipality is part of the UNESCO World Heritage site “Champagne hillsides, houses and cellars”.

Viticultural heritage and history

The local heritage is closely linked to the vine. The exposed slopes favor Pinot Noir, the dominant variety in Aÿ wines. The cellars dug beneath the town bear witness to an ancient know-how: long aging on laths and storage in a calcareous environment. The commune's economic history was built around trading houses and winemaking families.

Champagne houses and visits

Aÿ hosts several well-known houses; notably Bollinger, Ayala and Deutz, which offer tours and tastings (times and conditions vary by house). The facades of some houses and the entrance gates are characteristic of the 19th-century Champenois style.

Landscapes and walks

Walking routes traverse the slopes and offer views over the Marne valley. Terraced rows of vines, chalk embankments and small paths between plots make exploration pleasant on foot or by bike. You will often see signs indicating the Grand Cru classification.

Not to miss

• Les caves de Bollinger — visit the premises and get an overview of the winemaking process.
• Maison Ayala — tastings focused on elegant cuvées.
• The Grand Cru classified slopes — panoramas and walking routes.
• The troglodyte galleries — underground architectures related to aging.
• The village of Aÿ — bourgeois facades and everyday viticultural atmosphere.