INLAND SEAS

10 000 hectares of water stretches between Troyes and St Dizier. A paradise for the lovers of watery sports. Sailboard, water skiing, jet ski and sailing ship split the water of these lakes offering the fans feelings of the open sea. For the amateurs of tanning and idleness, the thin sand beaches are at their disposal. On these inland seas, many regattas are organized throughout the summer. The Olympic circle of the Lake of DER chantecoq allows large gatherings. Competitions of water skiing or Jet ski are also on the program.
Three of these lakes are located in the middle of the Regional Natural reserve of the Forest of Orient. Here the fauna and flora offer an exceptional richness. Many points of observation and paths make it possible to discover the Champagne grove without disturbing the animals which live there. In the autumn and the spring many migratory birds make stage on these lakes. One thus counted no less than 40 000 ashy cranes. At these periods, many are the ornithologists who, at dawn, observe the ceaseless ballet of these gracious birds. Various places are to be visited for better understanding of this nature and its environment. The House of the Bird and the Fish in Outines or the House of the Park in Piney gives a lighting that is at the same time teaching and ludic on the fauna and the flora of Champagne-Ardenne.
COB AND BEAMS: THE ARCHITECTURE OF THE CHAMPAGNE GROVE
The Champagne grove is also an area with its history. One ,with pleasure ,discovers there a typical architecture of this sector ;the houses with wood sides that have ,for the majority, imposing body of farm with a porch allowing the passage of the carriages. The cob of cream-coloured color is assembled between the beams chestnuts. Certain frontages are equipped with horizontal or vertical shingles. Some farms still have their dovecote ,with the decorations timbered in the shape of scales for some.
While following the route of the Churches with wood sides, one passes thus by the villages of Bailly-le-franc, Châtillon-sur-Broué or Lentilles... Very well preserved examples of these hamlets. To see all of them at once, one can also go to the village museum of Sainte-Marie-du-Lac. The church, town hall, dovecote... are gathered there.