Meurville

Meurville is one of the quiet corners of southern Champagne. The village lies in the Aube département, in the arrondissement and canton of Bar-sur-Aube, and so in the Côte des Bar. It has no cru status, but if you want to get to know Champagne away from the big names, you will find here a rural stretch of the Aube.

Location and landscape

The village sits at an altitude of 205 metres. Two watercourses run through the commune: the Landion and the Ruisseau d'Avril. The Landion is 24 kilometres long, rises at Champignol-lez-Mondeville and joins the Aube near Dolancourt. There is also a small pond.

Meurville is classed as a rural commune with scattered housing, outside any urban area. The land use makes this plain:

• Forest: 48.4 %
• Arable land: 35.1 %
• Permanent crops: 12.8 %
• Scrub and meadows: 2 %
• Built-up areas: 1.7 %

The share of permanent crops is telling for the area around Bar-sur-Aube, because there vines are the typical permanent crop. The climate is temperate, with fresh summers and harsh winters. At the nearest weather station in Ailleville, seven kilometres away, the annual average most recently stood at 10.0 °C. Fog is common in autumn and winter.

“Fog is common in autumn and winter.HistoryBefore the Revolution, in 1789, Meurville belonged to the généralité of Châlons, the élection of Bar-sur-Aube and the bailliage of Troyes.

History

Before the Revolution, in 1789, Meurville belonged to the généralité of Châlons, the élection of Bar-sur-Aube and the bailliage of Troyes. Older still is a Merovingian sarcophagus found in the village, which now stands in the church.

What to see: the church of Saint-Benoît

The main point of interest is the church, dedicated to Saint Benedict. It dates from the 12th century and has a five-sided apse. One of the transept arms was given a vault in the 15th century. In the nave and the apse there are wall paintings beneath a layer of limewash, partly visible.

Hautvillers Champagne, Orte und Reisen

Inside you will also see:

• the Merovingian sarcophagus
• a tabernacle
• the tombstone of Jean de Courmont, probably from the 15th century

Meurville on your Champagne route

Meurville has 151 inhabitants (2023), and the number has fallen by a good 12 % since 2017. Noise and crowds are unknown here. The village makes a good stop when you are exploring the Côte des Bar, for instance on the way to Bar-sur-Aube. Allow a little time for the church and let the landscape of forest, fields and slopes sink in. A glass of champagne from the Aube tastes especially good after a walk like this, because the wines of this area often have a robust Pinot Noir at their heart. Ask in and around Bar-sur-Aube for growers who sell their bottles direct from the estate.