Chaumont is the main town in the Haute-Marne. Nicknamed "the poster town" for its collection of posters past and present, it holds an International Poster Festival and a similar one for graphic arts, attracting art-lovers from far and wide. On a hill, the town was often attacked, although the keep is all that remains of the 12th century castle of the Counts of Champagne.

The Basilique St-Jean-Baptiste dates from the 13th to the 16th century and has ornate carved stonework. The "Entombment" of 1471, in the chapel at the west end of the nave, has 11 life-size statues each with different facial expressions. The town also has a network of cycle lanes.

Pruning Vines

Bourbonne-les-Bains is the oldest spa town in eastern France and popular since Roman times. In the Ville Haute the castle has been transformed into the town hall and has good views over the lower town and valley below. The Parc des Thermes has the Gallo-Roman remains of the baths. The Bannie animal park allows stags, wild boar and deer to roam freely about the site while visitors look on. It is good for the children, with picnic and barbeque areas, and an aviary.

Langres which has a cheese named after it, is steeped in history. It was one of the three capitals of Burgundy under the Gauls and takes its name from Gaulish tribe the Lingons. The main square Place Diderot, has a statue of the famous 18th century philosopher. The old town with its ramparts has stunning panoramic views. The Musée d’Art et d’Histoire has Gallo-Roman and Egyptian art exhibits, as well as fascinating Celtic heads excavated from Perrogney in the region. The four nearby lakes offer all manner of watersports.

Langres

For champagne, head for the villages of Argentolles and Rizancourt where tasters are welcomed with full flutes. The village of Coiffy-le-Haut celebrates having won the "Vin de Pays de Haute-Marne" for a red wine made from the pinot noir and gamay grapes, and a white from auxerrois and chardonnay. Rubis is a delicious Haute-Marne aperitif made from redcurrants.

Colombey-les-Deux-Eglises is best known for its famous son Charles de Gaulle. His home, La Boisserie, is open to the public. Wassy is famous for its almond flavoured meringues.

Champagne Countryside

Don’t leave this area of champagne before visiting the petrified waterfall La Cascade d’Etuf in Rouvres. From the Aube, water tumbles spectacularly through a forest over porous tufa stone before separating into smaller falls, all of equal beauty.