Taxi Paris → Château-Thierry

Château-Thierry is a town of 15,000 inhabitants in the south of the Aisne department, at the heart of the Marne valley. Built at the foot of a medieval castle whose ruins overlook the town, it is best known as the birthplace of Jean de La Fontaine, born here in 1621. His birthplace, a 16th-century mansion on the main street, houses a museum dedicated to the fabulist and his illustrated works. But Château-Thierry is also a key site of World War I: the Second Battle of the Marne in July 1918 took place here with the decisive participation of American troops. The American Memorial at Hill 204, an imposing colonnade overlooking the valley, and the Belleau American Cemetery (2,289 graves) bear witness to this sacrifice. The town lies at the heart of the Champagne vineyard: the hillsides, houses and cellars of the Marne valley have been UNESCO World Heritage listed since 2015. Many independent winegrowers open their doors for authentic tastings, far from the crowds of Reims or Épernay.