The small village of Ecueil, entirely surrounded by vineyards, is the birthplace of the famous Veuve Clicquot Champagne. Its founder, Simon Clicquot-Blervache, who died in 1796, is buried in the village church. The name Ecueil is thought to come from the Germanic word “skul”, from the time of the Franks in the 3rd century AD. The settlement existed long before that time, however, as traces of habitation have been found here dating back to 5000 to 8000 BC.