Champagne

It is here that the world-famous Reims Cathedral is located, where most of the French rulers were crowned. In the ancient city, architectural masterpieces are found at every step — the Palais du Tau, the Basilica of St. Remigius of the early 11th century, the Church of Saint-Jacques, the Basilica of St. Clotilde, the building of the Jesuit College. The city center is quite small, it is pleasant to walk along it, many streets are for pedestrians only. One of the streets of the city with a length of 18 kilometers is completely occupied by wine cellars.

Reims Cathedral is one of the masterpieces of Gothic art of the 13th century. It is a national sanctuary, the site of the baptism of Clovis Merovingian, and the coronation of many kings of France, a patriotic symbol during WWI, and a symbol of Franco-German reconciliation. Reims Cathedral has been the seat of bishops since the time of the first bishops of Reims — St. Sixtus and St. Sinis (3rd century).

There is no holiday without a feast, the biblical story reminds us, the holiday brings together guests who share bread and wine. Medieval sources speak of a large gathering of guests in the hall of the archbishop’s palace. The feast of Louis XIII (in 1610) was attended by 100 people, while Louis XIV and beyond have no more than 30 to distinguish the king and 12 peers of France. The focus was on the king, flanked by 6 dukes and 6 earls, clerics and laity, representing the great vassals of the crown. This is how the Last Supper is symbolically depicted, where the king, the vicar of God, takes the place of Jesus. Bishops wear mitres and chasubles to the meal, which explains the absence of women at the feast.

Just 20 km from Reims is the town of Epernay, where champagne houses of famous brands — Moet & Chandon and Mercier — are located. On the outskirts of Epernay was the abbey of Saint-Pierre Doville, where at the end of the 17th century a monk named Dom Perignon discovered the process of champagne, initiating the production of champagne. Today, underground wine cellars are located here, which stretch for almost 100 kilometers.

There are cities that you choose for a weekend together solely for the romantic atmosphere. The destination should be old, preferably medieval, with cozy cafes and restaurants, with history, where in it all, you will come up with your own. It seems that time stops in such cities, joys for two are given out by the universe in large portions, and everything around is bright, tasty and romantic. Troyes is one of those cities. Having chosen the capital of Champagne for a cozy trip, reserve a romantic excursion for your soulmate to Troyes.

On the Place de Liberation there is a small fountain with a sculpture depicting the scene of the abduction of a naked nymph who has gone mad with passion by a man — god. According to the author’s intention, such a brazen treatment of a magical creature is nothing more than an allegory of passion, a symbol of all-consuming love.

At the end of the square, between Quai Dampierre and Quai Des Comtes-de Champagne, you cannot miss the monument to the woman in the hat. This lady’s name is Lilly. She modestly, distracted from reading a book about the counts of champagne, sits on a bench and, with a slight envy, looks at the couples who hang locks on the Tree of Love. 

On the most picturesque street of the old city there are «houses in love». This is what the locals call the houses, rickety from time to time, stretching towards each other with roofs and wrought-iron gratings at the corner of La Ruelle des Chats and Rue Champeaux streets. In the Middle Ages, the lane was called less emotionally — Alley of Cats. The houses had leaned towards each other centuries ago, and stood so close to each other that the neighbors on the upper floors could shake hands through the window, and the cats calmly jumped to the roofs, from house to house in search of mice in the attics. Large stones protected the alley from carts, which, with their wheels, could damage the walls of houses.

A One-day tour to the Champagne Region with tasting is a wonderful experience for wine enthusiasts and those looking to explore the beautiful French countryside. During this tour, you will have the opportunity to visit vineyards, learn about the Champagne-making process, and of course, indulge in tastings of the world-renowned Champagne.

The tour starts with a scenic drive through the picturesque vineyards of the Champagne region. Along the way, you will learn about the history and significance of the region's wine production.

Your guide will provide interesting insights into the different grape varieties used in Champagne and the unique techniques employed to create this sparkling wine. Next, you will visit a Champagne house or cellar, where you will get a behind-the-scenes look at the production process.

Through the day, you also could explore the charming towns and villages of the Champagne region. You can stroll through the streets, admire the architecture, and enjoy a delicious lunch at a local restaurant, pairing your meal with Champagne, of course.