Marne is one of the original 83 departments created during theFrench Revolution on March 4, 1790. It was created from the province ofChampagne.
Marne has a long association with theFrench Army. The training ground of theCamp Militaire de Mailly straddles the border with the département of Aube in the south while that of theCamp de Mourmelon occupies a large area north ofChâlons-en-Champagne. The smallerCamp de Moronvilliers lies to the east of Reims and theCamp Militaire de Suippes lies to the east of that. These are all located on the chalk grounds of the Champagne plateau, a feature comparable in geology but not size, with the British military training ground onSalisbury Plain.
Geologically, it divides into two distinct parts; theUpper Cretaceouschalk plain in the east and the more wooded and hillyEocene andOligocene in the west.
Rivers draining the department include theMarne,Vesle,Ardre and Somme-Soude. Numerous other rivers, such as the Grande and the Petite Morin rise in the department but flow mainly in others. Conversely, theAube joins theSeine in the department of Marne.
The most populous commune in the department isReims; the prefectureChâlons-en-Champagne is the second-most populous. As of 2019, there are five communes with more than 10,000 inhabitants:[3]
Reims, with its cathedral in which thekings of France weretraditionally crowned, is a major attraction. Others include the bird reserve on theLake Der-Chantecoq and the fishing lakes nearby. TheParc Naturel Régional de la Montagne de Reims is a major area of country recreation. In the west of the département there are many scenic routes as also are the several wine cellars ofÉpernay.
.jpg)
_(9292412785).jpg)
