One of the great things about basing ourselves in Paris, is that Pierre and I are easily able to visit other lovely areas in France. It's just a matter of catching the TGV or RER and voila....within an hour or two from Paris...we're in Champagne, Versailles, Chartres, Fontainbleau, Loire Valley, Lyon etc.
Champagne was at the top of my list and so we visited Reims, the capital of Champagne, in April.
Reims has many elegant champagne houses that allow tours of their cellars....it also has a magnificent 800 year old cathedral, Notre-Dame de Reims. It's truly a gothic masterpiece built by master stonemasons in the 12th century and the site of many French coronations....so there's lots to see and enjoy in Reims.
Reims has many elegant champagne houses that allow tours of their cellars....it also has a magnificent 800 year old cathedral, Notre-Dame de Reims. It's truly a gothic masterpiece built by master stonemasons in the 12th century and the site of many French coronations....so there's lots to see and enjoy in Reims.
Here's a glimpse of our 'champagne' day.
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| Reims is a very pretty city...and very easy to walk around. |
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| Notre-Dame de Reims....built in the 12th century. It's almost as beautiful as Notre-Dame de Paris (below). |
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| The stone carvings on the facade are masterpieces. |
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| Just opposite the cathedral (on this corner) is a fantastic wine shop... fantastic champagne...at fantastic prices! |
Pommery's champagne cellars go on forever...and the house also exhibits modern art installations in its caves. Mumm, one of my favourite tipples, has a vintage champagne museum deep within its caves.
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| Deep within the caves, a tribute to Louise Pommery. She must have been quite a woman! |
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| Pommery's modern art |
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| The caves....with many vintage bottles. |
We learnt about champagne pressings, the importance of Champagne's chalky soil for producing the best champagne, grape varieties used in making champagne, and laughed at famous champagne quotes....and of course, enjoyed a tasting at the end of the tour.
If you get the chance...visit Reims...and don't forget about that little wine shop, on the corner, just opposite the cathedral! Bargains galore there!
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| And here's our bargain from that wine shop. Just as Dom Perignon said, it's like tasting the stars! |
You may also like my posts on:
http://parisallons-y.blogspot.fr/2012/08/parisian-extravagence-and-opulence-ii.html
http://parisallons-y.blogspot.fr/2012/05/les-fleurs-and-aalsmeer.html
Hello:
ReplyDeleteOf course we should, and do, love Champagne, but what particularly appeals to us about this post are your superb images of Reims Cathedral which, alas, and to date, we have never seen for ourselves. The carving is, we think, truly out of this world - what a concept and what workmanship all those centuries ago.
It is a masterpiece Jane and Lance....I so enjoyed it. The other wonderful cathedral is in Chartres...that was also fascinating. When you're next in Paris, you might like to see casts of those extraordinary carvings at Cité de l'Architecture et du Patrimoine...a wonderful place to visit if you can't get to the real thing. A bientot.
DeleteHi Robyn,
ReplyDeleteI was in Reims last year and visited the Mumm house. What a fascinating tour that is. We spent the rest of a week touring the small independent Champagne houses surrounding Reims. It just confirmed how much I love bubbly! Beautiful pics Robyn. You are keeping so busy!
Much love
Di
xxxxxx
I just found my link to our trip to Mumm, only one photo unfortunately, but we did stay in a wonderful Chateau:
ReplyDeleteYonksnews.blogspot.co.uk/2011/04/where-do-you-shop.html
I love Cristal!
X
Hi Di...those small independent Champagne houses are superb aren't they...and merci beaucoup for your link. Will check it out. And another Cristal lover....it was a special present...for a special birthday!
DeleteSo beautiful! Louise Pommery,must have been a fascinating soul. xxpeggybraswelldesign.com
ReplyDeleteMerci beaucoup Peggy....yes...the Champagne ladies were quite amazing.
DeleteI so enjoyed the tour of Reims and all the info you post, so interesting. Thanks!!! Lisa
ReplyDeleteGreat to hear Lisa....merci beaucoup.
DeleteI am so glad that you mentioned the Cité de l'Architecture et du Patrimoine in Paris. What a marvel that one can see replicas of so many of France's treasures. My friend Marie and I went to the museum and after seeing Chartres Cathedral, we went promptly to the train station the next morning to spend the day there. I have not seen Reims but it is "on the list."
ReplyDeleteThree weeks from today we leave for Paris... lalalalaaaaaaa!
Love all your posts with photos and stories, dear Robyn.
Bises,
Genie
Hi Genie...enjoy your preparation for Gay Paree...and I look forward to meeting you and your daughter here in Paris.
DeleteRobyn ....FYI .. just in case this info has slipped by .... This coming weekend, September 15 and 16, Les Journées du Patrimoine (Heritage Days) takes place all over France giving the public an opportunity to visit sites normally off-bounds to "the people." I wonder where you might go ? Enjoy wherever ... just don't want you to miss out.... Enjoying your journey around Europa.. Lili
ReplyDeleteThanks for that Lili....it's on our agenda....and merci beaucoup for the prompt!
DeleteOh WOW! Reims through your lens is beautiful, especially image #6, what an angle you've chosen.
ReplyDeleteRobyn please insert Search button or Labels so it be easier to catch up for the new followers like me.
How long are you staying in Paris?
If you have time take a couple of days to Strasbourg & Colmar, you'll fill a sketchbook with sweet renderings. And Alsace wine will win your heart.
Natalie
Hi Natalie...have inserted a Search button...let me know if it's working OK and merci beaucoup for those tips!!
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