Châlons-en-Champagne

Châlons-en-Champagne, town in north-eastern France, capital of the Marne Department, on the River Marne, in Champagne-Ardenne. It is a commercial and manufacturing centre; products include champagne, beer, textiles, precision instruments, and electrical equipment. Among the notable buildings in the city are the cathedral of Saint-Étienne (chiefly 13th century) and the church of Notre-Dame-en-Vaux.

The city was known as Durocatalaunum to the Romans, who in ad 451 defeated the Huns under Attila on the plain between here and Troyes. Châlons-en-Champagne became a prosperous trade centre by the 10th century. It was badly damaged in both world wars. The town was previously known as Châlons-sur-Marne. Population 45,400 (2005 estimate).