The best traffic-free bike rides around Arcis-Le-Ponsart

Under the central arch is a calendar depicting the activities and tasks of agriculture and viticulture: grape pressing, harvesting, etc. A calendar can be seen here through the carved reliefs. Under the eastern arch, we can see a she-wolf suckling Romulus and Remus. According to legend, it was Remus who founded Reims. Finally, under the western arch, we can see Leda being seduced by Jupiter.

This ancient monument is one of the longest in the Roman world: it is approximately 32 meters long and 12 meters high! The Mars Gate was built towards the end of the 2nd century and is the only one of the four monumental arches providing access to the city of Durocortorum that has survived. It consists of three arcades. The central arch carried the city's major north-south axis, intended for the passage of carriages. The two side arcades were used by pedestrians.

While staying on the asphalt, you can cover more than 24 km. From the St. Brice Courcelles side, you can go up to La Neuvillette, then to Courcy, it's an unpaved road (passable but not for road bikes). After Courcy, there's asphalt up to Berry au Ferry (this allows you to discover the Sapigneul Owl, about 150 m on dirt road). On the other side, after Sillery, you can continue to Beaumont (asphalt). Then, on a dirt road passable by mountain bike, you can go to the Billy Arch, where the canal passes through a tunnel.

The monument survived destruction because it was walled up inside the Archbishop's castle in the 13th century, which inadvertently preserved it for future generations.

The Porte de Mars is a 3rd-century Roman monument in Reims, France, representing the widest arch in the entire Roman world at 33 meters long and 13 meters high. Originally built as one of four monumental arches at the cardinal entrances to ancient Durocortorum, it's the only surviving example of these grand structures. The arch features three decorated archways with intricate relief carvings, including scenes of Romulus and Remus with the she-wolf, agricultural calendars showing Gallic harvesters, and mythological figures like Leda and Zeus.

Beautiful cycle path along the water.

An impressive half-timbered building made of oak. Except for two metal parts, it is made entirely of wood, with wooden dowels (no nails or screws). At the front, there is a washhouse and a well. According to https://www.reims-tourisme.com/activite/halle-de-lagery/: Built in 1543 in the center of the village of Lagery, the hall was dedicated to trade. From the 16th to the 18th century, there was a market every Tuesday and two or three annual fairs: agricultural markets, grain, wine, livestock, firewood, timber, building materials, industrial goods, etc. This building was listed as a historic monument in 1922. The hall, which was in danger of collapsing and had to be reinforced in 1983, was restored between 2003 and 2007. Since 2010, the town hall and the Lagery Festival Association have organized an arts and crafts market there every spring Sunday.

One of the most fascinating aspects of the Porte de Mars is the interior of the vaults, which, despite heavy wear, feature a rare depiction of a Gallic reaper as part of a calendar of agricultural labors. This series of medallions depicts various agricultural activities such as plowing, harvesting, and milling. Below the western arch, a square medallion depicts the legendary she-wolf suckling Romulus and Remus, watched by the shepherd Faustulus and Acca Larentia. This scene is said to symbolize the deep connection between Reims and Rome, with local legend stating that Reims was founded by Remus or his companions after their escape from Rome.