In 1919, with Rheims in ruins after the ravages of the First World War, Joseph Krug proposed the idea for The Chemin-Vert Garden City. Construction was placed in the hands of the Foyer Rémois agency that was set up in 1912 by the industrialist Georges Charbonneaux.
The Garden City is among the Champagne Hillsides, Houses and Cellars included on the UNESCO World Heritage List
Inspired by the tradition of social Catholicism, the Garden City was built on the outskirts of the town and is still today regarded as an example of its kind . 36 maisons sont construites pour les familles nombreuses ouvrières. A total of 617 housing units of 14 different kinds were built in the form of small houses, with occupation commencing in March 1922.
A full range of social facilities was put in place for residents: a day-care centre for mothers and young children, a community centre with baths, a club, a library, a party room ... two shopping centres, a butchers, a bakers and school facilities for 1,200 children. .
The church, which is classified as a historic monument, commenced construction in 1923 and features decoration by great artists of the period: Maurice Denis, René Lalique, Gustave Jaulmes …
The Chemin-Vert Garden City remains the possession of Foyer Rémois.