La sablière de Châlons-sur-Vesle

La sablière de Châlons-sur-Vesle is a former sand extraction site that now functions as a protected nature reserve featuring sand dunes, rare grasslands, and exposed ferruginous blocks. The landscape displays a patchwork of exposed geological layers and specialized plant communities adapted to sandy soils.

The site was shaped by marine sediments deposited millions of years ago, preserving fossil remains of ancient sea creatures and shells. Human activity over thousands of years left traces in the form of flint tools and Gallo-Roman burial sites.

The name reflects its past as a working sand extraction site, and today visitors come to experience how nature has reclaimed the industrial landscape. People walk through the dunes to understand the fragile ecosystems that have developed in this transformed environment.

The site is reachable via the D75 road from Châlons-sur-Vesle, with parking areas that provide direct access to authorized walking paths. The trails are clearly marked and accessible for visitors of varying abilities.

The reserve contains preserved remains of mangroves from a period when the local climate was warmer and supported different plant life. These ancient plant fossils reveal how dramatically different the environment was millions of years ago.

Location: Châlons-sur-Vesle

Address: 51140 Châlons-sur-Vesle, France

GPS coordinates: 49.28746,3.92447

Latest update: December 9, 2025 20:28