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Champagne-Ardenne
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Champagne is of course "the king of wines". Benedictine
monk Dom Pérignon is credited with discovering the process
of double fermentation in the 17th century, which puts the fizz
into champagne.
Over the centuries, 25 kings of France chose to be crowned in the
incomparable cathedral in Reims and the guests were naturally served
champagne. Word spread in all languages that champagne was most
definitely the drink to celebrate special occasions and toast good
news.
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Troyes Cathedral
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Visitors are encouraged to follow La Route Touristique du Champagne to
discover the main producers, but all roads seem to lead eventually to
one producer or another.
Epernay and Reims bubble with champagne houses from the well known, such
as Veuve Clicquot-Ponsardin, Pommery and Mumm, to smaller but equally
important independent producers. Epernay is the unofficial capital of
champagne, understandable as it is home to the distinguished houses of
Mercier, Pol Roger and Möet et Chandon.
Beneath the celebrated Avenue de Champagne lie a staggering 90 million
bottles of champagne! Most of the champagne houses have tours of their
caves and tastings.
The fortified towns of Langres, Troyes and Sedan (with its colossal medieval
fortified château) have survived intact and clearly show how the
Champagnois protected themselves against attack.
Puppet capital Charleville-Mézières has an annual festival
as well as weekly demonstrations by the puppet institute in the elegant
Place Ducale, modelled on Paris’s wonderful Place des Vosges.
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Puppet shows and bustling markets in elegant Charleville-Mézières
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Sedan’s fortified château is the largest medieval
stronghold in Europe
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Unspoilt countryside and sweeping views across the Meuse valley
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Water sports galore in the Parc d’Orient with its 5,000
hectares of lakes
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Troyes annual champagne fair in June is known around the world
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France’s only half timbered churches and wonderful cheese
of Chaource
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Chaumont has a world class collection of posters and graphic
art and stunning statuary in the basilica
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Spa town Bourbonne les Bains has been popular since Roman times
and still draws sufferers from rheumatism
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Hilltop and fortified, Langres is famous for its cheese while
Rouvres is better known for its petrified waterfall
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Gothic splendour of the cathedral in Reims and medieval treasure
in the museum next door
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Sleepy Epernay hides 90 million bottles of champagne below
its streets
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Châlons en Champagne, where the Romans defeated Atilla
the Hun has been important ever since
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