Vertus


Vertus is a former commune in the Marne department in north-eastern France. On 1 January 2018, it was merged into the new commune of Blancs-Coteaux. The Encyclopédiste Antoine-Claude-Pierre Masson de La Motte-Conflans was born and died in Vertus.

World War II

After the liberation of the area by Allied Forces in September 1944, engineers of the Ninth Air Force IX Engineering Command began construction of a combat Advanced Landing Ground southwest of the town. Declared operational on 5 September, the airfield was designated as "A-63", it was used as a transport base until October when the unit moved into Central France. Afterward, the airfield was used for resupply and casualty evacuation before being closed in May 1945.

Champagne

Vertus is located in the Côte de Blancs subregion of Champagne. It is one of the highest rated Premier Cru villages of Champagne. With 500 hectares of vines, Vertus is the second largest village in Champagne, and the largest in the Marne department. Vertus is the home of one of the major Champagne houses: Duval-Leroy is established in the village since 1859.