La Neuville-aux-Larris is a commune in the Marne department, in the Grand Est region, 18 km northwest of Épernay.
Its modest territory of 1.6 km² is located on the “west” part of the Montagne de Reims, a wooded plateau which links Reims and Épernay and is bordered by vineyard hillsides.
Occupying a terrace overlooking the Ru de Belval, the locality presents a lush green environment, covered with forests (48% of its surface area), arable land (30%) and cultivated areas (7%). For the latter, these are essentially vines intended to produce champagne appellation wines.
Affected during the First War, the town which has nearly 200 inhabitants nowadays highlights its wine estates and its landscapes which lend themselves to hiking. Marking one of the wine tourism routes of Champagne, La Neuville-aux-Larris is worth a stop!
In terms of heritage, although the old Courton castle has disappeared (it was located to the east of the village), the village has a charming building with the Notre-Dame church. Rebuilt in a neo-Romanesque style after the First War, it is distinguished by its bell tower-porch and its sculpted portal. The church houses two ancient statues from the previous building: one represents Saint Catherine (15th century) and the other Saint Sebastian (17th century). As for the furniture, it is contemporary with the reconstruction.
Another testimony to the painful past of the town and the region, the English military cemetery, on the so-called Paradise Road: there lie 98 British soldiers killed during the harsh fighting of the summer of 1918.
We also note on the village square a portico on which sculpted figurines evoke the work of winegrowers throughout the seasons. A flowered portico also marks the entrance to the town to the south, on the RD 24.
Finally, we can obviously observe several residences and their annexes, headquarters of wine estates, with their typical architecture of the region.
A friendly place for sharing and local cuisine, on the square, the Bistr'O Larris welcomes and informs visitors and vacationers. Contact on +33 3 26 51 94 72.
Then it's time to discover the champagne houses established in the town. If La Neuville-aux-Larris has "only" 7 hectares of vines (mainly planted with the meunier grape variety), local winegrowers also operate plots in neighboring areas. These family estates happily welcome visitors for visits to the cellars with explanations and tastings... in moderation. The domains Patis Paille (information on +33 6 76 45 72 62), Devillers (contact +33 6 85 51 29 71), Lasseaux (contact +33 3 26 58 15 10), Girard (information on +33 6 72 59 89 06) should be mentioned., Savoye (inquire at +33 3 26 57 15 68), Boulard (contact at +33 3 26 51 46 31) and Briffoteaux (contact +33 3 26 58 14 49).
Previously, hiking enthusiasts will have explored the paths along forests and vineyard plots, particularly around the hamlet of Paradis and Bois de Courton, in the east of the territory. Obviously, there are routes to reach - on foot or by mountain bike - emblematic sites of the region, such as Fleury-la-Rivière and the Marne valley, less than 10 km to the south.
Maps and information from the intercommunal tourist office on +33 3 26 57 06 35.
It is also advisable to find out about the activities, conferences, workshops or thematic hikes offered throughout the year the Montagne de Reims Regional Natural Park of which the municipality is a member: contact +33 3 26 59 44 44.