- Département
- Marne (Grand Est region)
- Site
- Southern edge of the Montagne de Reims, in the valley of the Livre
- Inhabitants
- 316 (as at 1 January 2023)
- Fläche
- 7,7 km²
- Classification
- neither Grand Cru nor Premier Cru
- Source
- Wikipedia, eigene Zusammenfassung
A small village in the valley of the Livre on the southern edge of the Montagne de Reims, between Aÿ and Reims. It has very few vines, but sits right among well-known champagne crus.
Between Aÿ and Reims
Fontaine-sur-Ay lies in the Marne département, in the south-east of the Montagne de Reims ridge. The village sits in a valley shaped by the Livre, on the road between Aÿ-Champagne and Reims. It is about 5 kilometres to Aÿ-Champagne, roughly 8 to 10 to Épernay and about 20 to Reims. The commune also belongs to the arrondissement of Épernay and the canton of Épernay-1.
With 316 inhabitants (as at 1 January 2023), the place is small. Across 7.7 square kilometres you will find nothing but houses, plus two hamlets on the D9 road: the Ferme du Beau Sarrazin and the Maison Brûlée. Only about 3 per cent of the commune's land is built on.
Woods, streams and chalk hills
The north of the commune belongs to the wooded plateau of the Montagne de Reims, where the highest point stands at 271 metres. To the south the ground falls away to the Livre, where the village lies. The lowest point, at the river, measures 87 metres. The Livre rises in Ludes and flows into the Marne at Aÿ-Champagne after 15 kilometres. Its tributary, the Germaine, comes down from the north and joins it near the town hall.
The commune also belongs to the arrondissement of Épernay and the canton of Épernay-1.With 316 inhabitants (as at 1 January 2023), the place is small.
South of the Livre the land climbs again, to the Mont Aigu at 210 metres. This chalk hill rises about 80 metres above the plain of the Champagne crayeuse. Its dry grassland and pine stands are home to numerous orchids, some of them protected. Almost 60 per cent of the commune is forest. Fontaine-sur-Ay lies within the Montagne de Reims Regional Nature Park.
Viticulture: little land, great neighbours
Fontaine-sur-Ay is neither Grand Cru nor Premier Cru, and vines play only a supporting role here. Just 5.5 per cent of the land is given over to permanent crops. The few vineyards lie on the site called la Goutte d'Or, between two small ditches that run down from the Montagne de Reims to the Germaine.
The appeal of the village lies in its surroundings. The neighbouring commune of Aÿ-Champagne is one of the famous Grand Cru villages for Pinot Noir. Avenay-Val-d'Or borders it as well. Anyone exploring this area will pass through Fontaine-sur-Ay and see how close vineyard slope, forest and village lie to one another.
What to see and tips
- The church of Saint-Aignan in the village centre
- Walks along the Livre and the Germaine
- Hikes in the forest of the Montagne de Reims
- The Mont Aigu with its chalk-loving vegetation, especially in orchid season
The village makes a quiet stopover if you are travelling between Reims, Aÿ and Épernay. If you plan to visit growers in the neighbouring villages, it is best to ask in advance. And for a stroll after a tasting, the countryside all around is very rewarding.
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