Reims Tinqueux

We worked our way all the way up to Reims, the heart of the Champagne region. While Reims does have a pretty cool cathedral and I'm sure there is some historic stuff, we came for the champagne. We followed the Rue de Champagne down through all the little towns and Epernay. Then as was our luck, the Salon de Vins festival was taking place, so over 250 vintners from all over France were there to let us taste (and buy) their best. Some ...

... touch to the gothic structure that somehow seemed to fit. The cathedral was also the site where Clovis was baptized as the first king of the Francs, thus determining the country’s religion, and it was the coronation site for French kings including Charles VII in 1429. He was led to the cathedral by Joan of Arc, who encouraged him to rebel against English rule of France, marking the beginning of the end of the Hundred Years’ War.

The city ...

... around a corner – BAM! cathedral. Our group of 40 almost got hit by about 3 cars while we were looking at the outside because the roads run so close to the exterior.

I think this was my first cathedral interior that I’ve been in since we arrived in France. I’ve seen enough pictures and taken enough history classes to know what to expect, but you never get over ...

... and waited for about 10 minutes before the tour started. One of the amazing parts about the Pommery is that they not only house champagne in their cellars (or 'caves') but art is also displayed. While we were there a more modern artists had displays in many of the corridors as well as the cellars including a dress designed by the designer of the mini skirt and a race-car suspended from the ceiling.

Originally the caves were minbed for chalk that was used ...

... br>
The channel tunnel trip back was not as smooth as the crossing over as we were delayed for a couple of hours - made worse by the fact that all we wanted to do was have a cuppa tea, slice of marmite toast and climb into a warm bed.

Was it a good trip? Naturally - selective memory is a great thing, especially when my most fond memory is watching those delicate bubbles escaping to the top of MY champagne glass :)

This morning after breakfast we finished packing our bags and ordered a taxi. Our driver spoke not a word of English so in very poor French I told her we were going to pick up our rental car and showed her the address.

More than half an hour later was quite clear that we were lost. I translated the directions from the rental company to our driver and she did eventually get us there, after ...

-We drove through Reims on the way back to Maastricht and stopped at the Pommery estate for a tour of its cellars. It felt like we were spelunking in the underground cellars, which are more similar to mining caves, housing over 20 million bottles of champagne. It was even complete with riddling racks, though they don't use that technique anymore. After the tour, we had a tasting, which ended in purchasing four bottles that complete with the Pommery logo straws... weird french people.

... and process, how much patience one must have before tasting the final product!

I have to admit that I was a little impressed by Moet...but primarily due to all the glam of the family fortune. I'm sure the family heavily pressured its sons to continue the tradition...

So here's the rest of my pictures, varying from the tour, to a stroll in the park!

... And of course, everything is closed so you cannot get anything done during those days (to be fair, someone told me that Paris is open all day). No no, seriously, I am quite liking my stay here...although it is important to mention that Reims is not really a party town. So, I have to occupy my time as much as I can by doing side trips to Paris, going out on a school night, etc. You know, things like that. Finally, I want to give a special ...