12. Dormans to Damery

The first castle was built in 925 from 1340 the Dormans family rebuilt a medieval castle, the building remained in this family for three centuries. It was then owned by illustrious families including the Condé, Conti, de Broglie, de Ligne, de La Rochefoucauld. Its feudal aspect gradually faded with the passing of time as it was transformed into a pleasant residence, while reducing its influence.
It was restored after 1918 in the Louis XIII style. It was private property until 1919 when it was acquired by "L'oeuvre de la Chapelle de la Reconnaissance de la Marne à Dormans" which built the Memorial of the Battles of the Marne.
Property of the town of Dormans, the castle is not open to visitors.

The first battle of the marl in September 1914 has already been mentioned in the monument of La Ferté sous Jouarre.
The Dormans memorial was inaugurated in 1931 after 10 years of work, to remember the sacrifice of 112,000 soldiers on the French-English side and 83,000 Germans. The initiative was taken by the de La Rochefoucauld family, the Duchess of Estissac, Marshal Foch, Cardinal Luçon and Monsignor Tessier.
According to Marshal Foch the site is the synthetic point of the two battles of the Marne.
The high monument offers a vast view over the valley of the marl, and one will take the time to visit this place of meditation comprising a chapel, a crypt, an ossuary and a cloister. Open in free access from 2 to 6 pm.

The church of Saint-Rémi replaced the neighbouring oratory of the former 10th century castle. Its Romanesque bell tower dates from the 12th century. The rest of the building is Gothic but from two different eras. The church underwent important modifications in the 16th century, the bell tower dates from this period, it keeps beautiful stained glass windows from the 16th century.

Dating from the 12th and 13th centuries, the church is a three-vessel Latin cross with a transept and a straight chevet. The nave, aisles and chevet are covered with a flat wooden ceiling, while the north transept has a ribbed quadripartite ribbed vault. The crossing of the transept is covered with a masonry vault.
It underwent numerous restorations in the 19th and 20th centuries.

Following poor grape harvests between 1907 and 1911 as a result of phylloxera, which devastated the majority of French vineyards, Champagne was not spared. The wine growers get their supplies from the Aube, whose Champagne appellation is forbidden following a decree of 1908. Demonstrations are organized to block winegrowers buying from the neighboring department. The destruction of cellars is engaged, the prefect intervenes the army, the two departments are at war.
Venteuil was hard hit by this revolt and a plaque on the wall of the town hall recalls this event.

The church of Venteuil is in the tradition of Champagne churches in rural areas. Its construction dates from the end of the 12th century or the beginning of the 13th century. Over the course of time it was rebuilt several times, notably in the 17th and 18th centuries.

St. George's Church was the seat of a priory between the 12th and 16th centuries.
Damery's land was part of the royal estate. A diploma from 870 indicates that Damery's villa was given to the Benedictines of the Abbey of Saint-Médard de Soissons.
A church existed at the beginning of the 12th century because in 1101 a conflict arose over the altar of Damery's church. Indeed the bishop of Soissons, Hugues de Pierrefonds, offered the altar to the chapter of the cathedral of Soissons. The altar was finally returned to the abbot of Saint-Médard de Soissons.