Château de Courcelles

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The Champagne vineyards classified as a UNESCO World Heritage Site

Between the vines and the hillsides, follow the Champagne route and discover the richness of our region's wine. The views over the magnificent landscapes of the Champagne vineyards are the first key for interpreting and understanding what makes this beverage so unique.Make a stop at some of the producers we particularly like that harvest and handle their own grapes, such as the Maison Pannier, operating in Château-Thierry in the Aisne since 1899, the Maison Roger Coulon, and the Maison Aspasie. You can also discover the great champagne producers such as Taittinger and Moët & Chandon, both long-time Relais & Châteaux partners. Upon your return to the castle, visit our cellar with more than 800 different bottles. Our sommelier awaits you to initiate you to the art of tasting with the best champagnes of our region!

Between remarkable gardens and centuries-old trees...

Isn't this French garden the best representation of French castles? Walk down the main pathway of the Château de Courcelles to reach the canal and the centuries-old trees that line it. Don't miss out on a walk around the garden of waterfalls which is hidden right at the back of the superb lake... Maybe you'll have the opportunity to watch the common cranes who sometimes rest there... In need of even more greenery and tranquility? Take a walk through the hedge maze and then through the Château de Courcelles' forest where three paths with the names of great individuals who marked the history of the Château will guide you.

Explore the Chemin des Dames

The Chemin des Dames plateau, which overlooks the Aisne Valley between Laon and Reims, has enjoyed strategic importance throughout history. Between 1914 and 1918, the site was the scene of bloody battles between German troops and French and British forces. While it long bore the scars of these events, it is now a place of remembrance that showcases significant archaeological heritage from the First World War. Along a route spanning nearly 20 miles, you’ll discover tours that take in the area’s war memorials and cemeteries, its vestiges of trenches and ruins of villages, an arboretum and an observation tower. The Caverne du Dragon (or ‘Dragon's Cave’)–a former quarry converted into military barracks during the war–offers a glimpse back in time into the daily lives of French soldiers. The Vassogne Museum and the Fort de Malmaison further immerse visitors in the battles fought here. The Chemin des Dames itself (it means ‘Ladies' Path’) takes its name from the trail once used by the daughters of King Louis XV, known as the ‘Ladies of France.’ Compete your visit with a hike along this path as it winds through the lush green landscape.

At the heart of history

Built between 1690 and 1694 by Baron Jacques de la Grange (advisor to Louis XIV), the Château de Courcelles previously attracted Enlightenment philosophers and has since drawn in various famous figures who have been fond of 17th century aesthetics. Voltaire, Rousseau, Racine, Jean de La Fontaine, Napoleon, Cocteau and more recently, Christian Dior, have all spent time here. During a stroll through the French gardens of the grounds, you should have no difficulty understanding the reason for their visits to the Château de Courcelles.