REIMS, FRANCE TOUR: DAY
3
 |
Moët
& Chandon Cellar |
When
you awaken on your third day, get in your car and be prepared
to discover both le Champagne and la Champagne at the
same time. The Route du Champagne lies within a
triangle formed by Reims, Châlons-sur-Marne, and
Épernay and rambles through the vineyards of the
Montagne de Reims, the Côte des Blancs, and the
Marne Valley.
The
Montagne de Reims portion of this marked route extends
from Reims to Épernay and is approximately 47 miles
long. Be sure to stop for a tour of Moët &
Chandon's impressive cellars, or those of Mercier at Épernay.
If
by chance, you decide to make your way to Épernay
on Day 2, stay at the Royal Champagne in Champillon
(a few miles away). This remarkable house perched above
Épernay offers a splendid view of the hillside
vineyards. The large, comfortable guest quarters have
their own, quiet terraces. The Royal Champagne restaurant offers the prettiest view in the region of Épernay
and the surrounding vineyards, along with every amenity
its well-heeled clientele could desire! A courteous welcome
and a warm atmosphere await guests who come to enjoy the extraordinarily precise cuisine. A second hotel option in this area
is La Briqueterie, a charming, refined hotel nestled
amid the vineyards. Spacious, elegantly appointed guest
quarters are offered. Guests enjoy taking leisurely strolls
through the surrounding, flower-filled grounds. This hotel
also houses an excellent namesake restaurant.
 |
Saint-Jean-des-Vignes |
Épernay
is also a starting point for the other two portions of
the Route de Champagne. The Marne Valley route goes from
Épernay to Vincelles and is approximately 32 miles
long, while the Côte des Blancs route extends from
Épernay to Villenaux la Grande and is approximately
68 miles long.
Of
course, if time allows, there is so much more history
to explore in Champagne beyond this area. For example,
Clovis's first capital was Soissons, northwest of Reims.
In their very first history book, French children learn
the story of the Soissons Vase. Clovis, one day, ordered
a soldier to give him a vase taken as booty from a church.
The soldier broke the vase instead of returning it. A
year later, spying the disobedient soldier, Clovis split
open his head saying: "There! I've done to you what
you did to the Soissons Vase." Nothing more is known
of this vessel, but visitors to Soissons can view the
ancient abbey of Saint-Jean-des-Vignes and an imposing
Gothic cathedral (look inside for Ruben's "Adoration
of the Shepherds"). |
