Introduction
The department of Haute-Marne borrows its name from the River Marne, which runs through it. The Haute-Marne is part of the Champagne-Ardenne region of France, which has become renowned throughout the world as the home of Champagne.
Major towns and cities
• Chaumont-en-Bassigny
• Langres
• Saint-Dizier
• Colombey-les-Deux-Églises
• Cirey-sur-Blaise
• Montier-en-Der
Weather
The department of Haute-Marne has a similar climate to southern England; warm summers and cool winters should be expected.
Average Temperature in Langres| Period | Celsius | Fahrenheit |
|---|
| January-February | 1 | 34 |
| March-April | 8 | 44 |
| May-June | 14 | 58 |
| July-August | 18 | 64 |
| September-October | 16 | 55 |
| November-December | 4 | 39 |
| Year | 10 | 49 |
Tourist sites
Try to spend at least one day in the charming town of Langres. Unfortunately, the 16th Century mansion which previously housed the Musée du Breuil has been closed due to fears about the safety of the building, but the Musée d'Art et Histoire is currently playing host to many of the museum's exhibits. This includes an exhibition dedicated to Diderot, the 18th Century philosopher who once lived in Langres.
The small village of Colombey-les-Deux-Églises is also well worth a visit, if only to see the final resting place of France's most famous President, Charles de Gaulle. Visitors will discover that the grave itself is surprisingly humble. A more fitting tribute can be found on the outskirts of the village, a 43 metre tall Cross of Lorraine commemorating de Gaulle's military achievements.
If you visit the capital of the department, Chaumont-en-Bassigny, consider arriving by train in order to experience crossing the 19th Century viaduct just outside the town. The viaduct is 52 metres high and over 600 metres long. In 1814, representatives of the United Kingdom, Prussia, Russia and Austria met Napoleon I in Chaumont-en-Bassigny to sign an offensive military treaty. Today, the town is best know for its location (it is enclosed by the Marne and Suize rivers) and its beautiful buildings. The most well-known is probably the Church of St-Jean Baptiste, which was built in the 13th Century.
Family Entertainment
Children should enjoy the variety of outdoor activities the Haute-Marne is well-known for. The Lake de Chantecoq, where a variety of water-sports are offered, is a must for families. If you have small children, you might want to consider renting a boat. You could also cycle or walk on the edge of the lake. Older children might want to try canoeing or kayaking. Roller-blading is also a popular activity around the perimeter of the lake.
There are some excellent locations for long walks and family picnics in the Haute-Marne. The area surrounding the town of Langres offers beautiful views and would make the ideal location for a family picnic during the summer.
Food and drink
The region is well known for the quality of its game, crayfish and truffles. As in most of France, vegetarians can expect to be disappointed. Many restaurants, particularly those used to catering for tourists, may allow you to order off the menu if they don't offer any suitable dishes. If you choose to do this, make sure you ask how much you will be charged to avoid nasty surprises when you receive the bill!
The town of Langres is also renowned for the quality of its cheese. Langres cheese is made from cow's milk and is considered to be an excellent complement to local champagnes. Local cheese-makers often wash the cheese in a locally produced Marc de Champagne to accentuate its flavour. A shallow dip is often deliberately left in the roof of the cheese to allow space for a small amount of Champagne to be poured in.
Walking
There are some excellent hiking opportunities near Langres, where the highest point of the department can be found. Beautiful scenery including excellent views of the Alsace hills and the Plateau de Langres makes this an ideal spot for walking. Those who are less active and would prefer to walk in a flat area could try the region of Chaumont-en-Bassigny, or Lake Der-Chantecoq in Saint-Dizier.
Other sports
Water-sports enthusiasts will enjoy visiting Lake Der-Chantecoq in Saint-Dizier, which is the largest man-made lake in Europe. Rowing, water-skiing, canoeing and kayaking are just a few of the sports on offer. There are excellent facilities available for those who are well-experienced in water-sports and for complete novices. Fishing in the lake is permitted.
Wine tasting
Visitors should not leave the department of Haute-Marne without sampling some of the Champagne the region is so famous for. Many wine cellars offer tastings, which are usually well-advertised locally. Restaurants also offer a wide selection of locally produced Champagnes, although you should expect a significant mark-up, particularly in restaurants popular with tourists. If you are not keen on Champagne, try the white wine of Soyers instead.
Ease of access
Chaumont-en-Bassigny lies within 200 miles of the French cities of Paris and Strasbourg; the Belgian cities of Antwerp and Brussels and the German city of Aachen. Road links are excellent, so arriving in the region by car is generally hassle-free. Those arriving in Calais from the south of England face a 4-5 hour drive to the Haut-Marne.
The city of Chaumont-en-Bassigny is also well-known for its excellent rail links and impressive viaduct, so you might want to seriously consider arriving by train. Those who would prefer to fly might be able to find a flight to Dijon, but driving is likely to be the simplest, and almost certainly the cheapest, option.
Value for money
Compared to the departments which surround Paris, the Haute-Marne offers excellent value for money. As is the case in most tourist destinations, you should expect cafés and restaurants in areas popular with tourists to be more expensive. If you are trying to reduce your spending, going to a restaurant even five or ten minutes walk away from a busy tourist street can shave a significant amount off your bill.
Summary
The department of Haute-Marne has much to offer. Families should enjoy the variety of outdoor pursuits possible. Couples and groups of adults should appreciate the charm of the Haute-Marne's towns and villages and the excellent locally produced food and wine. Visit in the warmer summer months if possible, in order to take full advantage of all of the outdoor activities the region offers.
