Champagne-Ardenne

I

Introduction

Champagne-Ardenne, administrative region, north-eastern France. Considered a part of the Paris Basin, Champagne-Ardenne lies to the south-west of Belgium, with the French regions of Lorraine to the east, Franche-Comté to the south-east, Burgundy to the south, Île-de-France to the west, and Picardy to the north-west. Champagne-Ardenne is divided into four departments: Ardennes, Aube, Marne, and Haute-Marne and has a total land area of 25,606 sq km (9,887 sq mi).

II

Physical Geography

The region is predominantly a plateau, crossed by the rivers Aisne, Marne, and Aube, with the north-east drained by the Meuse and Semois. The rolling central plains give way to lakes, forests, and meadows in the south, with the Langres Plateau in the south-east, and the hilly, densely wooded Ardennes in the north-east. In the south-east of the region, is Haut-du-Sec, which at 516 m (1,693 ft) is the region’s highest point. In the east of the region is the Argonne Massif, a hilly, wooded plateau that stretches for some 64 km (40 mi) along the border with Lorraine.

III

Population

In 2007, the Champagne-Ardenne region had 1,337,000 inhabitants, with an average population density of 52 people per sq km (135 per sq mi). The city of Châlons-en-Champagne (population, 2005 estimate, 45,400) is the administrative centre, but Reims (2005 estimate, 184,800) is the largest city. Other important towns are Troyes (2005 estimate, 60,000); Chaumont (2005 estimate, 23,800); Épernay (2005 estimate, 24,800); and Sedan (2005 estimate, 20,300).

The main historical monuments and cultural institutions of Champagne-Ardenne are located in Reims, including Reims Cathedral, one of the finest Gothic structures in France. In 1991 the cathedral, together with the nearby Palace of Tau and former Abbey of Saint-Remi, was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The 13th-century church of St Urbain in Troyes contains the relics of Pope Urban IV, who resided in the city. The city is also said to be the birthplace of 12th-century French poet Chrétien de Troyes. The leading institutions of higher education are the University of Reims (1969) and the University of Technology, Troyes (1994).

IV

Economy

The region is world-famous for its champagne, and viticulture is the main economic activity. The champagne industry thrives in the chalky soils and warm sunny slopes around the towns of Épernay, Reims, and Châlons-en-Champagne. The river valleys provide fertile land for all forms of agriculture and aside from grapes, cereals, maize, and sugar beet are grown. The central, sandy plains are used for sheep grazing, dairy farming, and forestry. There is a substantial wool and textile industry in the west and some metalworking in the east and south-east. After losing a significant portion of its population during the two world wars, Champagne-Ardenne continues to experience a net loss of people to Paris and other more industrial areas.