The starting point of the Coteaux Vitryats Champagne tourist route, Vitry-le-François is a small town full of charm thanks to its beautiful landscaped promenades, surprising heritage and effervescent cultural program. Modern sports and cultural facilities are complemented by historic monuments that bear witness to the city’s past and encourage visitors to wander and explore.
Vitry Le Francois Vue Drone 4runnersA StoryItalian-style
Bequeathed by the French sovereign François 1er, the history of Vitry-le-François began in 1544, when Charles Quint’s troops destroyed Vitry-en-Perthois, the stronghold and capital of the Perthois region. The king decided to build a fortified town a few kilometers away, on the banks of the Marne. Vitry-le-François was born.
The city was designed by Girolamo Marini, an Italian architect who came up with an impressive checkerboard layout. Although over 90% of the town was destroyed during the Second World War, the rebuilding of the town preserved its timeless character. Today, the geometry of the streets can still be observed, offering beautiful, unobstructed and sometimes stunning views. Aerial images of Vitry-le-François are still very popular.
In the 16th century, the city of Vitry was built around a central square, with four imposing gates open to the compass points. In 1896, the ramparts were dismantled and the ditches filled in to allow the town to expand. Of the original four gates, only one remains today. Some of Vitry-le-François’ monuments and buildings were destroyed during the bombardments of 1940 and 1944, but others were spared or well restored. They are now part of the town’s historic heritage.
Places D Armesph.jacquemin
Collegiale Vitry Le Francois
Hotel De Ville Vitry Le Francois Pascal Bourguignon Coll. Ot Lac Du Der
Porte Du Pont Vitry Le Francois Pascal Bourguignon Coll. Ot Lac Du DerWalksand channels
Vitry-le-François lies at the junction of 3 canals, but is also bordered by the Marne River. For a long time, inland waterway transport flourished here, as evidenced by the Musée de la Batellerie and the Chapelle Saint-Nicolas.
Today, the banks of the canals and the Marne offer beautiful, relaxing walks along the water’s edge, which is omnipresent on the outskirts of the town. Two of the three canals have been converted into greenways. To the north of Vitry-le-François, the Canal Latéral à la Marne cycle path is the arrival point for cycle route 52, which crosses the entire Marne valley, while to the south, the Canal entre Champagne et Bourgogne is the departure point for cycle route 53, which runs as far as Langres in the Haute-Marne.
Navigating the channels
Not to be missed in Vitry-le-François
What must you see or do in Vitry-le-François? Here you’ll find our recommendations for having a great time in the town, and making sure you don’t miss out on any of its monuments and landmarks. Thanks to our tour“Au fil des rues de Vitry-le-François”, you can see the essentials in just 1 hour.
Collegiale Vitry Le Francois Philippe JacqueminThe Collegiate Church of Notre Dame
Considered one of the most beautiful 17th-century churches in eastern France, its impressive size often leads to it being mistaken for a cathedral.
Construction began in 1629 and was completed 269 years later, in 1898, the year of its consecration.
During the 1914 war, the Collégiale was used as a hospital from September 6 to 10, 1914. It took in 700 wounded, of whom only 30 were French. The church was damaged by bombing in 1940 (bells, stained glass, etc.).
Today, the interior of the building is a majestic and surprisingly luminous setting. You can admire magnificent chapels, altarpieces, paintings and other relics.
Don’t miss: the sundial on the Collégiale’s south façade.
The Place d'Armes
It’s an integral part of the daily life of the people of Vercy, where you can relax on the benches or chat with friends. The magnificently sculpted Goddess of the River Marne sits enthroned on her fountain, her benevolent gaze scanning the eponymous watercourse in the distance.
It’s here, too, that the town is alive with festivities all year round (concerts, exhibitions, open-air games, fairs, etc.). Surrounded by shops, bars and restaurants, Place d’Armes is the heart of Vitry-le-François!
Town Hall and garden
Strollers, readers, dreamers, this is the perfect place to relax and take your time. The Hôtel de Ville garden is also the ideal place for a family stroll, thanks to its playground.
Small discoveries such as the Carrara marble Adam & Eve sculpture and the Théâtre de Verdure will enhance your stroll.
In spring and summer, it’s not uncommon to see Vitry residents taking to the lawn in the shade for a chat or a picnic. The garden also hosts numerous events, including shows, concerts and activities for young audiences.
The Hôtel de Ville building is a former 17th-century convent, restored in the early 1960s. Step inside to discover a superb patio and the town’s carved coat of arms.
The Bridge Gate
The history of this monument is fascinating, as it is one of the last vestiges of the fortifications of the town of Vitry-le-François. In days gone by, the Porte du Pont was a compulsory crossing point for all travellers coming from Paris to our city. Several sovereigns have had the privilege of passing through it, including Louis XIV on two occasions. The gate was dismantled stone by stone at the dawn of the Second World War, then reassembled much later, in 1985, on the N 44 to N 4 road axis.
Originally, 4 gates facing the four cardinal points gave access to the town.
