16. Nanteuil-sur-Marne to Château-Thierry

The etymological meaning of this place name is undoubtedly: "Caroli Villa", that is to say "Charles' Estate", Gallo-Roman or Frankish owner. Perhaps it is the mayor of the palace, Charles Martel, the father of Pepin the Short, founder of the Carolingian dynasty.
The church of Saint-Martin, whose construction dates back to the 12th century, is worth a visit. The building was remodelled over the centuries. Inside you can admire several paintings and stained glass windows from the 19th century.
The Baptismal Font, classified as a Historic Monument, dates from the 13th century. The baptismal font is part of an octagon. An abbot of the Abbey Saint-Jean-des-Vignes de Soissons could be the donor.

The church of Saint-Félix dates from the 12th and 13th centuries. Consolidation work was carried out in the 20th century, including the bell tower which had been bombed during the Second World War. The church and the bell tower are in Romanesque style. Inside you can admire a pulpit to preach from the 15th century.

From Nanteuil-sur-Marne you walk through the vineyards while you are in the Ile-de-France region and then in the Hauts-de-France region. This is the former province of Champagne which produces Champagne but also red and white wines called "Vins nature de Champagne".
We do not know the time of the implantation of the vine in the region but the expansion of the vineyards and the wine trade was developed by the monks from the 5th century by the abbey Saint-Pierre-aux-Monts of Châlons-en-Champagne and in the 7th century by the abbey Saint-Pierre d'Hautvillers founded by Saint Nivard, bishop of Reims and Saint Berchaire, the first abbot who was a monk in Luxeuil. The rigour of Luxemburgish monasticism has a small part in the development of Champagne.
During your walk, a Champagne pilgrimage, you will discover all the diversity of the professions of the vine. You will make enriching encounters in all seasons, but autumn and its harvest with the colours of the vineyards are ideal moments to meet people.
History of the vineyard of Champagne. Wikipedia

Abbey founded in 1090 by the Bishop of Soissons for canons regular of Saint-Augustin.
During the Hundred Years' War, the town resisted the English and was never conquered. The population attributes this victory to the Saint of the day the invaders left, Saint-Ferréol. Only part of the abbey church of Saint-Ferréol remains today, which was rebuilt in the 13th century.
Opened during the summer, one can admire 16th century stalls, a blue stone tombstone of Abbot Claude Guillart and an older tomb, (13th century), the classified stained glass windows date back to the 13th, 14th and 16th centuries, a large restored, unsigned painting "The Wrath of Noah", an 18th century pulpit to preach.

Walking on the Via Columbani from Essômes-sur-Marne to Château-Thierry you will notice an imposing building on the hill overlooking Château-Thierry, it is the American Memorial of the First World War composed of huge columns.
Built in 1933, this monument commemorates the assault of the American troops on July 18, 1918 in the Château-Thierry area. It was one of the first battles in which the American Expeditionary Force took part. This Franco-American offensive of the second Battle of the Marne on a 40-kilometre front was a decisive success for the final victory.
More information Wikipedia

After the Revolution, the church of Saint-Crépin groups together three parishes, Saint-Martin, of which a chapel remains, Notre-Dame du Château, whose church was destroyed, and Saint-Crépin.
The church of Saint-Crépin is mentioned in a papal bull of the goods of the abbey of Chézy in 1155.
The present building was built in the 15th and 16th centuries. From the XIIth century and until the Revolution the parish gathers the inhabitants settled inside the ramparts except the castle which is administered to the spiritual by the church Notre-Dame du Château.
During the Middle Ages it was administered by the monks of the Saint-Pierre Abbey in Chézy-sur-Marne.
Inside you can see the 15th century organ case with its balustrade composed of statuettes typical of the Renaissance. Chair of the 18th century, the statues of the Choir date from the 19th century, they represent Saint-Martin, Saint-Crépin, Saint-Jean...
Some paintings decorate the walls of the church. The most remarkable of them is certainly the large painting by Joseph Vivien (1657-1734) depicting the Baptism of Chris. An academician and official painter at the Bavarian court, Vivien is best known for his pastel portraits. This deep-coloured painting is one of her rare productions in the field of religious painting. Its exact date and circumstances of acquisition are not known. The church owns two other 17th century paintings: an anonymous Holy Family (depicting the Rest during the flight to Egypt) and a copy, in very poor condition, of the Incredulity of Saint Thomas of Guerchin.