The Lac du Der area

Man benefited from the knowledge of how best to use and develop the Lac du Der Country’s natural resources. Over the years, he has cultivated and shaped this landscape of fields and meadows with his own hands, worked the forest, planted fruit trees, given shape to the relief and stocked the ponds with fish.

Did you know that … ?

The oak, the king of trees in this area, gave the lake its name - dervos meaning “oak” in Celtic -
1,000 hectares of trees were removed from the Der Forest in order to fill the lake with water.

The Champagne Bocage

The colourful hills and beautiful farmland provide visitors with a warm welcome, inviting them to discover a series of delightful flower-adorned villages. In June, parks and gardens, both public and private open their gates to the general public to let them enter a world of visual delight.

The Lake : the bocage revolution

Following the devastating floods of 1910, 1924 and 1955, a vast programme designed to regulate the flow of the Seine and its tributaries was put in place : the Champaubert reservoir (1938) - 450 hectares followed by the construction of the Marne reservoir, named Lac du Der, designed to accommodate the Marne floods. The Bocage Champenois, a vast watertight (Gault clay) basin, located near the Marne, provided ideal conditions for accommodating 4,800 hectares of water.
The peace of mind of the Marne valley inhabitants was to the despair of the 300 inhabitants of the bocage, as three villages were wiped off the map in order to fill the lake with water.

Half-Timbered Buildings: The Soul of The Lac Du Der Country

The combination of clayey soil and oak timber led to the development of the Der Country’s typical local architecture: half-timbered buildings. Wood (usually oak) was used for the framework of the building. The cob, made of a mixture of clay and straw and held in place on wooden boards, was deposited in between. A rich lime mortar was then used to cover the cob.
On facades exposed to bad weather (west facing facades), additional protection was needed (horizontal or vertical planks of wood, shingle, or cladding and weather-boarding.

The church-lined scenic route

This civil architecture featuring timber-framed walls can also be seen in the region’s churches thus creating a common theme unique in France. The church-lined scenic route reveals the splendour of the architecture of the villages and their churches, with the timber-framed walls of the sanctuaries and the stone churches lit up by the magnificent stained-glass windows with
their gleaming colours embodying the 16th century School of Troyes.

The lake’s enchanting secrets

The lake reveals its enchanting secrets to visitors who sail the waters on a lake steamer ride on the tourist train. Discover the local arts and traditions in the Musée du Pays du Der (Der
Museum), wine-growing in the Musée Champenois (Champagne Museum) or the work of bees in the Grange aux Abeilles (Bee Barn).

The Lake : the pleasures of water

Man has turned this outstanding site into a holiday location, designed to provide pleasure for everybody. As soon as the good weather makes its appearance, the lake turns into a sea of sails of varying colours. Keen swimmers and sun lovers come here to take advantage of the six specially-designed beaches throughout the summer. At the same time, motor boats, sea scooters and water skiers make full use of the 600 hectares specially set aside for them.

Fishing Pleasures

At the break of dawn, anglers set sail in a quest to catch pike, carp, perch, zander and roach.

The changing face of nature throughout the seasons

The warm autumn colours gradually adorn the Der landscapes heralding the arrival of the migratory birds. Coming to spend winter on our shores or migrating towards the south, birds arrive in their thousands : cranes, geese, white-tailed eagles, wild swans, tundra swans,… they are all there. In springtime, the grasslands and stretches of water become one giant

Nursery for birds

This preserved and protected natural setting provides a regular home to over 200 species of birds some of which are rare and threatened, 40 types of mammal, 45 varieties of dragonfly, 20 sorts of amphibians and more than 200 different types of vegetation.

Meeting up with cranes: 23 the emblematic bird of the Lac du Der

Large feet, long neck and plume-like tail, the crane with its two-metre wingspan is the largest wild bird visible in France. Providing them with an ideal habitat, the Lac du Der is the most important staging post for cranes in France.

Another way of discovering the Lac du Der area With the blue-tinted colours of winter, the cranes move off to the north. The arrival of spring sees visitors coming in large numbers to walk or ride along the numerous paths.

The 250 km of waymarked paths spread out in a loopshape provide excellent opportunities to admire and observe the surrounding countryside. 38 Km by bike to discover teh lake and 12 km to get to St Dizier.

Lac du Der : there’s something for everybody!!!

Climbing in trees or riding ponies; learning how to sail or catching roach; observing the grebe dive or the worker bees in the hives in the Bee Barn – whatever you’re looking for, you’ll find it at the Lac du Der..

Perched on the chalky foothills of the Champagne Pouilleuse, Chavanges overlooks the splendour of the Champagne bocage, this fascinating patchwork of hedges and fields. Outstanding features include the special wood used to build the covered market and the timber-framed houses with their distinctive front doors. St. George’s church with its attractive white stone is another key place to visit.

Montier-en-Der owes its name (Monasterum in Dervo) to the monastery founded in 672 by Benedictine monks. A visit to the old abbey is recommended with its Roman nave and a gothic chancel. Today the monastery is home to a National Stud Farm, where stallions can be admired in autumn.

Saint Dizier cordially invites visitors to discover its château, today home to the Sub-Prefecture, its ramparts and gardens, its houses with their timber-framed walls (spared by the great fire of 1775), and the Noue area with its characteristic narrow alleys. St Dizier plays a prominent role in the field of specially-designed wrought ironwork thanks to Hector Guimard who chose the foundries of Saint-Dizier to have his artistic work cast.

Vitry le François, founded by François I in 1545, was 90 % destroyed during the Second World War. It was reconstructed using a draughtboard-design in the main square. At a stone’s throw from Vitry le François, discover the champagne vineyards with cellar visits and tasting (in moderation).

Stronghold of the Duke de Guise, Wassy was the scene of the start of the Wars of Religion between Catholics and Protestants. This harrowing chapter of history is recounted in the Musée Protestant de la Grange de Wassy (Wassy Protestant Museum). Wassy has preserved its 19th century station which is now the starting point of the Blaise and Der Tourist Train. Enjoy a walk around the «Leschères» lake.

Dommartin-le-Franc and its blast furnace, Sommevoire and its collection of plaster moulds and statues, Osne le Val and its amazing bronze casting demonstrations, St-Dizier and the Guimard smelting, are all places ready to provide an insight into 2,500 years of the metallurgical industry.

Cirey-sur Blaise Château : In Voltaire’s footsteps Several reminders of Voltaire’s stay here can still be seen: the sculptured door dedicated to the Arts and Sciences, the library and above all the small theatre where Voltaire rehearsed his plays. The Park provides superb views of the Vallée de la Blaise (Blaise Valley) – a moment of tranquillity.

Joinville : One of the few Renaissance gardens in France. The Grand Château has an outstanding Renaissance garden with its 365 fruit trees, its boxtrees, and the flowers which change with the seasons.

Bar le Duc Artistic and Historical Town : Discover the renaissance charm of Barle- Duc through its delightful streets and alley.