marne

Marne is the name of a major river in north-eastern France and of a department in the Grand Est region. The Marne river is a left-bank tributary of the Seine. It rises on the Langres plateau in Haute-Marne and generally flows northwest through the Champagne region, passing near the outskirts of Île-de-France before joining the Seine at Charenton-le-Pont, near Paris. The river valley has long been important for agriculture, transport, and industry and is associated with the Champagne wine region around Reims and Épernay.

The river and surrounding area were the site of pivotal Allied offensives in World War I. The First Battle of the Marne in 1914 halted the German advance and preserved Paris from capture, while the Second Battle of the Marne in 1918 marked a turning point that contributed to the end of the war.

Marne is also the name of a department created during the French Revolution on March 4, 1790, from parts of Champagne. The department's prefecture is Châlons-en-Champagne, and it lies in the Grand Est region. It includes portions of the Champagne wine region, with industry based on agriculture, viticulture, and tourism, notably around Reims and Épernay. The area is characterized by plains and gentle hills, with a landscape tied closely to the production of champagne and related tourism.