Located on the edge of Champagne and on the edge of the Argonne forest, Sainte-Menehould is a picturesque town which saw the birth of Dom Pérignon, "the inventor of Champagne".
The lower town, rebuilt at the start of the 18th century after a terrible fire (1719), surrounds the so-called "castle" mound, which has retained a medieval appearance with its half-timbered houses.
The square, where the town hall stands, presents a beautiful set of buildings alternating brick and stone listed as historical monuments. This "Champagne device" is present in many mansions along the streets.
The city was often placed at the heart of history.
At the site of the current gendarmerie, Drouet, postmaster, recognized Louis XVI while he was trying to flee the country on June 21, 1791.
On the very close site of Valmy, s' confronted Prussians and French on September 20, 1792. General Kellermann, under the orders of Dumouriez, commanded the center of the French Army and occupied the plateau near the mill. To discover, the interpretation center of the battle of Valmy, located at the foot of the mill.
The city and its surroundings were the scene of battles during the First World War. To discover, the main of Massiges (fighting in Champagne), the Moreau Valley (German entrenchment camp), the Haute Chevauchée, the Vauquois hill, the necropolis of Romagne-sous-Montfaucon (USA), and the Montfaucon memorial (USA).
The specialty is "pig's trotters at Sainte-Ménehould" of which there is a brotherhood. The recipe was born, it is said, in the kitchens of the Hôtel de Metz (which no longer exists today). Legend attributes it to the thoughtlessness of a scullion who forgot a pot of feet on the stove for more than a long night. He discovered in the morning that the feet were even better and the bones had an appetizing softness.
L'Allée des Couleurs: In the heart of the Argonne forest, between Valmy and Sainte-Menehould, 10 km of discovery that highlight landscapes, traditions, history and culture through four shades: Blue: relaxation and recovery shape - Red: sports and leisure - Yellow: history, traditions, culture - Green: nature and discovery. Choose the colors that suit you!
