The GR® 15 allows you to discover the Marne Valley from Giffaumont-Champaubert (Lac du Der) to Alfortville, on the outskirts of Paris. From the Champagne countryside and its peaceful little villages to the large urban areas of the Paris region, passing through the Champagne vineyards, its chalk landscapes and its beautiful Champagne houses, this journey will take you to explore diverse horizons. This section of the GR® begins in Giffaumont-Champaubert at Lac du Der and ends in La Chaussée-sur-Marne. Find a complete overview of the route in PDF below.
Points of interest
Points of interest
Points of interest
1Giffaumont-Champaubert
The start of this route takes you to the Giffaumont-Champaubert Water Sports Centre. With its many water sports activities, harbour, beach, cycle paths, restaurants and shops, as well as its JOA casino, it is a real summer leisure destination. Autumn is quieter and ideal for watching grey cranes, Europe's great migratory birds, which can be seen from the dyke early in the morning or at the end of the day. Feel free to visit the Tourist Office to pick up brochures and other information.
2Outines and Arrigny ponds
The Outines and Arrigny ponds are located in the Lac du Der National Hunting and Wildlife Reserve, which is managed by the French Biodiversity Agency and the League for the Protection of Birds. No fewer than 302 species of birds have been observed on this site, as well as 11 species of amphibians, 6 species of reptiles, 23 species of fish, 53 species of mammals, 126 species of invertebrates and 538 species of plants. Three observatories are open to the public all year round, allowing visitors to enjoy the natural surroundings in complete tranquillity.
3Saint-Rémy-en-Bouzemont
The origins of Saint-Remy-en-Bouzemont-Saint Genest-et-Isson are ancient, as evidenced by its church, Saint Remi, dedicated to the saintly bishop of Reims who baptised Clovis at the end of the 5th century during the Merovingian period. It was not until 1836 that the commune of Saint Remy absorbed the neighbouring hamlets of Saint Genest and Isson and took the name Saint Rémy-en-Bouzemont Saint-Genest-et-Isson, the longest commune name in France.
4Vitry-le-François
Vitry-le-François was founded in 1545 by François I. More than 90% of the town was destroyed during the Second World War. It was rebuilt using the original street plans. Some monuments survived the bombing or were rebuilt. Among the places to see, don't miss the Collegiate Church of Notre-Dame-de-l'Assomption, the Porte du Pont, the last vestige of the town's fortifications, the Town Hall, a former convent, restored to its original state in 1962, and the Market Hall, modernised in 2023.
5Vitry-en-Perthois
Located on the Champagne Tourist Route of the Coteaux Vitryats, Vitry-en-Perthois was the capital of Perthois after the destruction of Perthes by the Huns in 451. In 1544, Charles V's troops fought against François I's soldiers. The village was completely destroyed and François I ordered the construction of a new stronghold, Vitry-le-François. Mont de Fourche is a must-see viewpoint located on the heights of the village, offering a magnificent panorama of the town of Vitry-le-François and its surroundings.
6Saint-Amand-sur-Fion
Saint-Amand-sur-Fion is located along the Fion Valley (a river that runs through the village). Its magnificent 12th- and 13th-century church, picturesque streets, mills (private) and half-timbered houses make it a village that is definitely worth discovering during your trip. In June, the Festival la Tête dans le Fion attracts more than 10,000 festival-goers over the course of a weekend!
7La Chaussée-sur-Marne
During Napoleon's campaign in France, the village of La Chaussée-sur-Marne (then known as La Chaussée) became the scene of a spectacular battle on 3 February 1814. The French cavalry, 1,800 men strong, clashed with 2,500 Prussian soldiers. It was the latter who emerged victorious from the battle.
