Villevenard

Location

Villevenard lies in the south-west of the Marne département, in the Grand Est region, and belongs to the Brie champenoise. The village is small: 193 inhabitants were counted in 2023, and the commune covers 13.38 km². By road, Épernay is about 34 kilometres away, and Sézanne, whose catchment area the commune falls within, is about 17 kilometres away.

The terrain is unusually varied. To the north the Côte d'Île-de-France rises, while to the south the Marais de Saint-Gond marshland spreads out. Between the two there is a difference of almost 100 metres in height, and the commune as a whole ranges from 137 to 230 metres. The Bonon stream runs through the village from north to south and shapes the rise of Beauregard, which towers over the village at 207 metres.

Viticulture and landscape

Villevenard is neither grand cru nor premier cru, but vines shape the look of the landscape. The Champagne vineyards stand on the south-facing slopes of the Côte d'Île-de-France, and the hilltops above are mostly wooded. According to 2018 figures, a good 10% of the commune's area is under permanent crops, which means mainly the vineyard. Almost half is arable land, just under 16% is forest and just under 13% is wetland.

“The village is small: 193 inhabitants were counted in 2023, and the commune covers 13.38 km².

The village itself reflects this. The old houses are built of chalk or brick, stand in rows along the street and are often oriented towards farming or winegrowing. The commune also includes the hamlets of Ferme du Buisson, La Vieille Andecy and Voizy.

Nature to the south

The Petit Morin crosses the marshes of the Marais de Saint-Gond here. The area is designated as an ecologically important zone (ZNIEFF) and is part of the Natura 2000 network. It extends over around 3,200 hectares and 13 communes, with alkaline peat bogs and many rare plants. Amphibians, butterflies, dragonflies and birds in particular find a habitat there. If you want to experience Champagne away from the vines, this makes a good contrast.

Heidsieck & Co. Monopole Champagne

History and sights

A Roman road coming from Meaux passed by Villevenard. Even older are the traces from the Neolithic period. Two structures are listed as historic monuments:

• the church of Saint-Alpin, dating from the 12th century
• the Neolithic hypogea of Villevenard, artificial burial chambers looked after by the Conservatoire d'espaces naturels de Champagne-Ardenne

There is also a chapel in the hamlet of La Vieille Andecy.

For those who love food and wine, Villevenard is a destination for anyone who wants to get to know the rural side of Champagne away from the big names: with vineyards on the slope, forest on the heights and marsh in the hollow.