Avize: Walking Trail, Church and Champagne History

Avize combines a walking trail through vineyards and woodland with Saint-Nicolas Church and the history of local Champagne houses. This gives you different points of interest to consider when planning your trip: a circular route with a stated duration, a work of art in the church, and visits to Champagne De Sousa by appointment.

Walking Trail and Landscape

The PR134 Circuit d'Avize Village is a 4.3-kilometre circular route with a stated duration of 1 hour and 30 minutes. It starts at Parc Vix or Place Léon-Bourgeois in Avize. The two starting points give you a specific choice of where to begin; the stated duration helps you fit the walk into your day as a separate activity.

The route connects woodland and vineyards, with views of the wine-growing landscape and the village of Avize. It also leads to Saint-Nicolas Church. Weather and maintenance can affect trail conditions. Keep this in mind when planning, particularly if you want to fit the walk in around other activities.

Saint-Nicolas and a Protected Painting

Saint-Nicolas Church adds a distinct architectural highlight to the landscape: its interior features Gothic vaults, statues and stained-glass windows. Access may vary, so check the visiting conditions in advance if you would like to see the interior.

The painting “Le Denier de César” is housed in the church. It dates from the first quarter of the 17th century and is attributed to the painter Orazio Borgiani. Since 25 July 2002, the painting has been classified as a protected object. Its date, attribution and protected status give the work different art-historical connections and add a specific painting to the experience of visiting the church.

Champagne History in Avize

Champagne De Sousa has been based in Avize for three generations. The house offers visits to its cellars or winery areas in Avize by appointment. As visitor arrangements may change, confirm your appointment before travelling.

The history of Champagne Lancelot Fils dates back to the 1930s. At that time, after working as a distiller, Jean Lancelot began growing grapes. Champagne Lancelot Fils is located in Avize, in the heart of the Côte des Blancs, and tends a 5.6-hectare vineyard across eight very different terroirs.

The two houses offer different perspectives: De Sousa focuses on its three generations in Avize and visits by appointment. Lancelot Fils highlights the beginnings of its wine-growing history and its vineyard with eight terroirs. This gives you two distinct insights into the town’s Champagne history, without treating the offerings as the same.

Planning Your Stay

For your day’s itinerary, you can distinguish between the walking trail, with its stated duration of 1 hour and 30 minutes, and a visit to De Sousa, which requires an appointment. Confirm your visit before arriving and allow for possible effects of weather and maintenance on the route. If you are looking for a hotel for your stay, you can use your planned activities in Avize to help guide your travel planning.

Discover more destinations: Saint-Brice-Courcelles, Mondement-Montgivroux, Lavannes, Dizy, Witry-Lès-Reims, Jâlons, Baye, Rieux.

For the broader travel overview: Marne.