Der Museum Village

The Der Museum Village, located in Sainte-Marie-du-Lac-Nuisement, is a local history museum that was established in 1999. Its purpose is to preserve the memory of three villages - Nuisement-aux-Bois, Chantecoq, and Champaubert - that disappeared due to the flooding of the Der-Chantecoq lake. This lake was inaugurated on January 3, 1974, as a measure to regulate the floods of the Marne and Seine rivers.

Collections and Surroundings of the Der Museum Village

The Der Museum Village showcases through its collections various aspects of the region known as 'wet Champagne'. This includes old trades, arts, and traditions of the disappeared villages, the Nuisement church that was saved from the waters, and various half-timbered buildings. The museum is made up of several such buildings, each dedicated to a different theme. Surrounding the museum are themed gardens that add a touch of freshness to the whole experience. These include a priest's garden, a Simple garden, an insect garden, and an old vegetable garden.

The Lardin Barn and the Film Screening

The Lardin barn, which serves as the reception area of the Der Museum Village, screens a 14-minute film at the beginning of each visit. This film provides a detailed account of the creation of the Der lake, the harsh expropriation of the inhabitants of the three villages that were erased from the map, and the subsequent economic and tourist boom that the area has experienced.