Journeying Through Sparkling Champagne, France

[Jean Dabrowski]

 

Perfectly positioned between Paris and Belgium lies Champagne, a region popular for the bright bubbly wine its soil produces. Beautiful countryside and vast vineyards draw visitors to the sparsely populated region famous for its namesake, which literally translates to "countryside."

Postcard-worthy views from almost anywhere around the plateau-like country reveal rolling hills, clear skies, and a land that sits above ancient caves and filled cellars that hold the country's number one export. Surrounded by Burgundy, Paris, and Lorraine, a trip to this region offers room to explore beyond its borders with much to do within.

The Grand Hotel des Templiers provides perfect accommodations, complete with large rooms, delicious food, and other amenities like a golf course, sauna, swimming pool, and of course, wine tasting. For a more stylish stay, the grand and luxurious Domaine Les Crayeres is THE perfect place to stay and dine.

Beyond the walls of this beautiful hotel await many activities in this appealing, agricultural region. From bicycling, boating, hiking, and fishing, the list of leisure activities are endless, and no trip is complete without an excursion to the beautiful Reims Cathedral, a Roman Catholic church that enjoys hundreds of thousands of visitors annually and the location where the kings of France were once crowned.

The Taittinger Tour reveals legends and facts about the history of Champagne complete with wine cellars and vineyards that produce Pinot Meunier and Chardonnay. It is here you will delve into the history of champagne and its tie to this region, as well as the origin of Chardonnay. This tour combines gastronomy and history with competitive chefs from all around that see art and cooking as one. In short - a history lesson, fine cuisine, and excellent wine await the visitors of the famed Taittinger in Champagne. Tourists will be pleasantly surprised to find their tickets closeby the Cathedral as the tourist office is walking distance.

A short drive to Epernay will bring you to a memorable train ride through the Mercier wine cellars allowing you to view 18 kms of Champagne underground. Home to 20,000 hectares of vineyards and 200 million bottles aging in cellars underground, it is no surprise this beautiful town is the capital of Champagne and welcomes many visitors every year.

What better way to bring such a feast for the eyes to an end than a scenic ride along the Avenue de Champagne where mansions and homes of famous wine producers line the street?

But before this trip is complete, the historical site of Chateau Thierry offers an interesting change of pace from the wine inspired sites all around. Home to the famous battle Battle of Château-Thierry, visitors are given a glimpse into the military history of French and American soldier surrounded by beautiful countryside.