Bergères-lès-Vertus is a municipality of the Marne, in the Grand Est region, 23 km south of Epernay.
The 18 km² of the territory of the locality are located in the heart of the vineyards of Champagne, at the end of the Côte des Blancs overlooking the west of the village.
To the south of the town which crosses the course of the Berle, is Mount Aimé, whose summit culminates at 240 m altitude, also covered with vineyards on its slopes but more green at its crest.
Occupied during Prehistory and Antiquity (excavations have uncovered pieces of Gallic coins, ceramics, Celtic tombs and Merovingian necropolis), Bergères-lès-Vertus was erected in parish in the twelfth century when is built a church dedicated to the first bishop from Châlons, Saint Memmie. Then a small fortress is built on Mount Aimé on behalf of the wife of Champagne account Thibaut III, Blanche de Navarre.
The enclosure and the village are looted and razed at the end of the Middle Ages. Agricultural, the town is totally devoted to viticulture from the 1960s and is now famous for its many "houses" and its cooperative. Champagne is the main asset of the village which counts nearly 650 inhabitants, but its heritage and the charms of Mont Aimé make it a step all the more appreciated on the Wine Route.
A prosperous and typical wine-growing village of Champagne, however, Bergères-lès-Vertus has a jewel in terms of heritage with its Saint-Memmie church with medieval bases (12th century). The portal dates from the fifteenth century and the bays that illuminate the aisles, also from the fifteenth, include the remains of stained glass windows originally, depicting Christ.
After a first restoration campaign in the 1980s, a second is initiated to secure the facades "north" and "east".
There is also the flamboyant Gothic style of the nave, choir and chapels. The bell tower was rebuilt in the 17th century.
In addition to the baptismal font carved in a stone of the twelfth century, there is a curiosity: the stained glass depicting Saint Peter and Saint Paul, at the altar, were "mounted" upside down, so that Saint-Pierre seems to bless with the left hand.
In the village again, the town hall of beautiful bill built in 1837 deserves a detour.
It is interesting then to go to Mount Aimé which is of great interest on the geological, archaeological and environmental levels.
Having first sheltered a Gaulish oppidum, it was considered strategic and symbolic: Louis II was proclaimed king in 877. A fortified castle is then erected in 1210 by the wife of the Count of Champagne, the building being transformed in residential residence in the 15th century. But having undergone several seats during the Hundred Years War, it was finally destroyed. Its stones have been reused in the construction of houses in neighboring villages, including Bergères.
However, ruins of the medieval walls are still visible, although during the Napoleonic wars and the First World War Mount Aimé was again considered strategic. Surrounded by vineyards, its shady summit is a popular place to walk. An orientation table has been installed which allows to be located within this region entirely dedicated to champagne and its wines. Volunteers can also help to apprehend all the historical riches via a guided tour. Information on +33 3 26 52 24 04.
Other hikes are possible on the town, its wooded heights, marked trails crossing obviously the vineyards or along the banks of the Berle. Specific circuits dedicated to oenology are also available. Maps and information on +33 3 26 65 17 89 or +33 3 26 53 33 00.
The equestrian center Champ 'A Cheval offers hikes to discover these landscapes in an original way. Incidentally, bicycles are also rented to mountain bikers. Contact the +33 6 30 59 49 66.
Finally, visitors can also book a tennis court with the local club at +33 6 16 49 47 48.
