Chigny-les-Roses

Chigny-les-Roses (postcode 51500) is a small commune in the Champagne region of Montagne de Reims, France.

According to the latest available data from 2024, the municipality has around 530 inhabitants, which represents a slight decrease compared to the 560 inhabitants of 2016.

The population of Chigny-les-Roses has remained relatively constant since the late 18th century. The commune was originally called Chigny, but after the death of Madame Pommery (Jeanne Alexandrine Louise Pommery, 1819-1890), the commune was renamed Chigny-les-Roses in 1902 to honour the impressive rose gardens that surrounded her country house.

Chigny-les-Roses is located around 14 kilometres south of Reims on the northern slopes of the Montagne de Reims. The commune has the status of a Premier Cru site in the Champagne classification, with the grapes rated 94 %. The vineyard area is currently 131.5 hectares, divided into 24 hectares of Chardonnay, 73.8 hectares of Pinot Meunier and 33.3 hectares of Pinot Noir.

The vineyards face north to north-east and lie at an altitude of 130 to 180 metres above sea level. This geographical location and orientation offer ideal conditions for growing Champagne grapes, as the vineyards benefit from the cool winds and the grapes therefore ripen more slowly, which promotes the development of complex flavours.

Chigny-les-Roses is part of the Aire d'Attraction de Reims and belongs to the crown of this metropolitan area, which comprises a total of 294 municipalities and has between 200,000 and 700,000 inhabitants. This proximity to Reims offers residents access to urban amenities while living in a rural and peaceful environment.

The history of Chigny-les-Roses is rich and varied.

In the 18th century, there was a faience factory in the municipality, and during the First World War, the municipality was honoured with the Croix de guerre 1914-1918 for its services.

Viticulture in Chigny-les-Roses has a long tradition and still plays a central role in the life of the municipality. The Montagne de Reims region is known for its excellent wines. Champagneand the winegrowers in Chigny-les-Roses contribute significantly to this reputation. The climatic conditions are ideal for viticulture: the average annual temperature is around 11.2 °C and the annual rainfall is around 755.5 mm. Winters are cold, while summers have moderate temperatures, which contributes to the quality of the grapes.

In addition to its winegrowing culture, Chigny-les-Roses also offers tourist attractions, including several renowned Champagne houses such as Champagne Gardet, who invite visitors to taste their wines and learn more about champagne production. Tourism plays an important role in the local economy and attracts many visitors every year who want to enjoy the beauty of the region and the quality of its wines.

To summarise Chigny-les-Roses a commune that has preserved its historical and cultural identity while offering modern amenities and economic opportunities. The combination of picturesque scenery, rich cultural heritage and first-class wines makes Chigny-les-Roses a special place in the Champagne region.