THE CHAMPAGNE REGION

This region, prouds of its glorious past, offers all the attractions of a region firmly turned to the future. Main cities, such as Reims, Epernay, Chalons en Champagne offer you many UNESCO World Heritage sites (the Reims cathedral for example), high quality accommodation and also the beauty, the variety of its scenery. This region is also the birthplace of champagne: the magical and sparkling wine of the Kings and celebrations. At the heart of this area marked by French history, arts and culture, you will meet men and women, happy to share their passion, their love of this area and their knowledge.

Reims

Reims played a very important role in French history, as it was the place where the kings of France were crowned. The most famous and cherished of these events was the coronation of Charles VII in the company of Joan of Arc. Thus, the Cathedral of Reims played the same role in France as Westminster Abbey did in England. It was there that was kept the Holy Ampulla (Sainte Ampoule) containing the Saint Chrism, which was said to have been brought by a white dove (the Holy Spirit) at the baptism of Clovis in 496, and was used for the anointing, the most important part of the coronation of French kings. Reims is often considered as the capital of Champagne, an old province of France, world-famous for its sparkling wine (Champagne) because it is by far the largest city in the region. There are eleven champagne houses in Reims that you may visit.

Some examples of tourist sites:

The Cathedral Notre Dame
The Royal Place
The Great Theatre
The Saint Remi Basilica
The Tau Palace
Musée des Beaux Arts
Le Vergeur Museum
The Automobile Museum
Saint Rémi Museum
The Capitulation Museum
Fort de La Pompelle Museum
The Cryptoporticus museum

Notre Dame Cathedral

Notre-Dame Cathedral A masterpiece of gothic art from the 13th century. As a reminder of the christening of Clovis, the cathedral was the show place of 30 coronations. It is adorned with over 2 300 statues, including the famous Smiling Angel.

The Tau Palace

Formerly the archbishop's palace, the Palais du Tau was reconstructed by Robert de Cotte for Monseigneur Letellier during the reign of Louis XIV. It still has a XIIIth century palatine chapel and the great Gothic Tau room where the coronation banquet used to be held.

The Automobile Museum

Rated fifth among French automobile museums for the size of its collections, Reims-Champagne Automobile Museum is run by a group of collectors, who own some of the 200 vehicles on display, the presentation of which is regularly revised. Other prestigious examples include a 1910 Sizaire-Berwick, a 1919 Coupé Docteur Alba de 1919, a Citroën 11 AL and a Panhard 24. The museum also boasts some rare motorbikes (Alcyon, Condor, DKW, Terrot, etc.), nearly 110 pedal-operated cars, a collection of enamelled plates and over 5,000 miniatures and toy cars.

The capitulation Museum

On Monday, 7 May 1945 at 2.41am, in a room at what was Reims Technical College, where General Eisenhower had set up his supreme headquarters, the Allied Forces brought an end to a war that had waged for more than five years, by obtaining the capitulation of the Third Reich's army, navy and air force. This momentous news was broadcast simultaneously in the capital cities of the allied nations at 3pm on 8 May 1945. Since then, the Signing Room has been listed as an historic monument.

Fort de La Pompelle Museum

Listed as an historic monument, it played an important role in the 1914-1918 war. It was built between 1880 and 1883 as part of Reims' defences on the designs of General Séré de Rivière after the Franco-Prussian War (1870-1871). It was the only fort to remain in the hands of the allied forces during WWI and protected city of Reims. Collections: uniforms, equipment, weapons, pieces of artillery, horse-drawn carriages, scale models, dummies, documents and objects from daily life. Also worth seeing is the unique Friese collection of 560 items of headgear that belonged to the German imperial army.

Troyes

City of art, the historic capital of champagne, Troyes excels in its textile industry with several factory warehouse stores. The city describes itself as « the city in the form of a champagne cork”. Then, the town is said to have one of the finest medieval centres to be seen in France. Be that as it may, the town is a lovely ensemble, with the streets of tall colombage houses surrounding the attractive cathedral.

Some examples of tourist sites:

Musée d’Histoire Naturelle
Apothicairerie de l’Hotel Dieu Le Comte
Maison de L’Outil et de la Pensée Ouvrière
Saint Peter and Saint Paul Cathedral

Epernay

Epernay, located in the heart of the vineyards, is an ideal departure for an excursion into the Marne valley and its neighbourhood. The major Champagne houses offer visitors kilometres of galleries dug into the chalky ground where millions of bottles are stored.

Some examples of tourist sites:

Avenue de Champagne
Perrier Castle with the museum of Prehistory
The Castellane tower and its museum
Saint Martin’s Gate
Museum of Champagne
Musée de la Tradition Champenoise
Notre Dame Church

Avenue de Champagne

Enjoy a visit of some famous champagne cellars: Moêt et Chandon, Perrier et jouët, De Venoge, Pol Roger, Demoiselle and Boizel The Castellane Tower Enjoy a beautiful panorama of the city from its second floor.

Saint Martin’s Gate

Today it only remains this part of Notre Dame Church which is an impressive doorway.

Museum of Champagne

During the visit, discover models depicting the grape harvest and the display of old tools and old posters. You will also learn what are the professions linked to Champagne wine making (printing, glass, cork, labels, packaging).

Some examples of tourist sites in the neighbourhood:

The Marne Valley
Mountain of Reims
Cote de Blancs

Sedan

Located in the north-east of the Ardennes department, on the edge of the Ardennes forest, bathed by the waters of the Meuse, the Pays sedanais stretches over 29 villages. A land of wood, water and rolling green hills, the beauty of his landscapes and interesting heritage pleasantly surprise you. Discover the architectural and historic wealth, its sporting and leisure activities, and the warmth of its people, its festivals and events, as well as its mouth-watering regional produce. Take time to enjoy your visit, submerge yourself in its history, relax for a while or leisurely explore what the region has to offer on foot, mountain bike, on horseback, or perhaps even over a meal.

Some example of tourist sites: