Located at the edge of the southern slopes of Épernay and the Côte des Blancs, Grauves nestles in a steep-sided horseshoe-shaped valley. Whichever slope you opt to climb, any ascent to one of the surrounding peaks is rewarded by beautiful views over the village, the vineyards and forests, meadows and fields, and neighbouring villages as far as Monthelon. The paragliders certainly have it right: they have chosen the hills around Grauves as one of their take-off spots.
A magnificent shaded viewpoint above the village can be accessed by taking Rue de la Coopérative as far as the edge of the woods. Opposite, to the north of Grauves, the tops of the steep hillsides towering over the Route de Cuis look almost like cliffs, exposing the chalky subsoil so specific to Champagne, and displaying the link between the vines and the region's geology. At the foot of these “cliffs”, it is not uncommon to find fossilised seashells, reminding us that a warm, tropical sea inhabited by exotic marine fauna covered the region some 45 million years ago.
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Practical information
For more information: Épernay Tourist Office
7 avenue de Champagne
+33 3 26 53 33 00
