What makes Mareuil-sur-Aÿ special
When thinking of the most beautiful villages in Champagne, Hautvillers often comes to mind, with its abbey and its connection to Dom Pérignon. Mareuil-sur-Aÿ tells another story, just as compelling: that of a village nestled at the foot of Mont Gruguet and along the canal, offering a rare view of the vineyard slopes.
Mareuil-sur-Aÿ is now part of Aÿ-Champagne, alongside Aÿ and Bisseuil, yet it retains a distinct identity, forged by its hillsides and its grand champagne houses.
It is a place that makes you want to stop, take your time, and perhaps head up at the end of the day with a glass of champagne to enjoy a suspended moment, simply because it may well be the most beautiful viewpoint in all of Champagne. From the top, your gaze sweeps across the hillsides between the Marne Valley and the Côte des Blancs: you can make out the line of the canal and the course of the Marne below, as well as miles of vines stretching to the horizon. You can even spot the Château de Saran in the distance, a hunting lodge turned manor, a private property of Moët & Chandon since 1954, which stands above the village of Chouilly and now hosts the house's most prestigious guests.
Beyond the panorama, Mont Gruguet is also a place of memory. It was only in 1946 that the Virgin of Gruguet came to watch over the village, as an act of gratitude, following what many in the village still regard as a miracle during the Liberation : in 1944, while Mareuil-sur-Aÿ was under direct threat of combat, the inhabitants vowed to dedicate themselves to Our Lady. The village was spared without a single casualty, and all the prisoners returned home shortly after. The statue was erected in recognition of this answered prayer.
The canal runs alongside Mareuil-sur-Aÿ and invites you for lovely walks by the water. The village even has its own nautical stop, a charming little marina that accommodates about fifteen boats: you can arrive by barge, stop over, or simply watch the vessels moored at the foot of the slopes. The canal also highlights another of the village's treasures: the Château de Montebello. This elegant residence, situated right at the water's edge, takes its name from Marshal Lannes, Duke of Montebello, and is surrounded by a wooded park that serves as a true green lung for the town. It adds a touch of architectural heritage to the village that perfectly complements the surrounding vineyard landscape.
It is from these very banks that you can discover one of the most captivating details of Mareuil-sur-Aÿ: the reflection of the hillside in the canal, which traces the silhouette of a champagne bottle. A simple detail, but one that perfectly captures the spirit of the place.
Mareuil-sur-Aÿ is home to many Champagne houses, but two "clos" (walled vineyards) stand out in particular, as they are among the most iconic plots in all of Champagne: the Clos des Goisses and the Clos Saint-Hilaire.
Billecart-Salmon enthusiasts are well acquainted with the Clos Saint-Hilaire, this intimate one-hectare plot planted exclusively with Pinot Noir and named in honor of the patron saint of the Mareuil-sur-Aÿ church. What is less known, however, is that you can see it directly from the village through the gates, at the end of Rue Carnot. With a bit of luck, you might even spot the sheep and draft horses that maintain the vines using ancestral methods to preserve soil biodiversity. Each vintage yields only 3,500 to 6,500 numbered bottles, making it one of the rarest and most exclusive cuvées in the village. Le Clos Corbier is proud to be a partner of the Billecart-Salmon house.
Champagne Philipponnat is closely associated with the Clos des Goisses, a steep, south-facing hillside protected by a wall since the late 19th century. This connection means a great deal to us : the house of Le Clos Corbier is where the Philipponnat brand was created. Unlike the Clos Saint-Hilaire, which can only be glimpsed from afar, the Clos des Goisses invites exploration: you can climb it, walk between the rows, and observe up close this hillside considered one of the most famous walled vineyards in all of Champagne.
The Clos des Goisses and the Clos Saint-Hilaire are just two examples among many: Mareuil-sur-Aÿ remains a village where several houses, whether famous or more discreet, all equally prestigious, shape the landscape and the identity of the place generation after generation.
Mareuil-sur-Aÿ draws its richness from the diversity of its landscapes, gathered within a relatively small territory: the solemnity of Mont Gruguet, the gentleness of the canal and its small port, the elegance of the Château de Montebello, and the almost secret discretion of the two clos that have earned it worldwide renown.
So yes, we admit it without blushing: having such neighbors is quite something. With Mont Gruguet watching over us, the garden of the Château de Montebello right next to ours, and two of the most admired clos in Champagne just a few streets away, we appreciate our luck in being from here every single day. But the best way to understand it is to come and see for yourself: Mareuil-sur-Aÿ is best discovered on foot, from the canal to Mont Gruguet, wandering through its narrow streets and vineyard paths.
We hope to see you there soon.
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