Blogs from Reims, Champagne-Ardenne, France, Europe

Day 8 No queues. Champagne, champagne........ On the TGV should be TGVF - Train goes very fast..... Wow what a trip. Super smooth, super fast and very comfortable - probably coz we were in 1st class, but hey, the fare difference was minimal. Not sure how fast wenweregoing but the cars on the motorway were being swallowed up by the train and they normally sit on over 130 kmh so whatever it was, it was fast...... Got to Reims at 0945 and walked down the semi deserted main street to the tourist bureau. They were very helpful and next thing we are off in a cab to our first champagne tour, to be followed by a self walk audiologue of 2 old churches (Basilique de Reims) and the Cathedral de Notre Dame (Reims version). Add tthat ... read more

We arrived in Reims in the early afternoon and went right away to the most important sight in the city: the Cathedral of Reims. Completed in the 15th century it used to be the crowingchurch of the french kings. Since 1991 it is UNESCO world heritage. We visited the inside and rounded the church to see the impressive outside as well. Sadly we didn't have enough time to see more of the city itself, because we still had quite a distance to take to go to Paris and didn't want to get stuck in the rushhour.... read more

There was a royal wedding a few days ago- London was in a fantastic mood. The streets were filled with people who had slept out in the freezing cold to get a spot next to where the newly wedded couple would pass. The atmosphere was electric. It was worth staying in London for that! The next day Dudley was due to set sail across the Channel to France! First stop Reims, in the Champagne region to celebrate my 31st birthday. Dudley had also acquired his first passenger to join us for the weekend, and we were so lucky she joined us! Before we had even left 'ol Blighty... we were to discover the petrol gauge in Dudley was accurate... we didn't realise quite how accurate until we ran out of petrol about 30 miles from Dover. ... read more

Hi Everyone Well the group hqs qll split up now. Jerry and I just spend two great days in Amsterdam with Janet; Rick; Armity; and Dinshaw. We walked our feet off. First we went to the Anne Frank House, then to the ice bar, with shopping in between. Today we just arrived in Paris and were picked up by our good friends, Patrice and Dominique. We are having a wonderful visit and have plans for the next two days to travel around to different areas. See everyone in Toronto: Jerry and Carol... read more

After our leisurely stroll through Verdun, off to Reims we went, in the heart of Champagne country, amidst what seemed like the downpour of the century. 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 (damaged by the Germans during the First World War but restored since) played the same role in France as Westminister Abbey did in England. It was there that they kept the Holy Ampulla containing the Saint Chreme (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 ... read more

Today was the opportunity to answer one of the biggest mysteries in Australian social culture - the “t” in “Moet” CAN be heard. There, my work is done. The day was more fulfilling than just this breakthrough in pronunciation. The Champagne region is to the north east of Paris on the border with Belgium and perhaps one of the most beautiful regions of the country. After a two hour drive our first stop was in Reimes, the centre of the champagne region. The weather, soil and technique are the things that make the sparkling wine from this region distinctive. I’ve heard the soil contains chalk and this assists growing. It turns out that as soon as you scratch through the top 30 centimetres of top soil it’s all white, straight chalk. Reimes is the home of ... read more

After few weeks travelling in Asia, we are switching continents...and here we are for few miles all around Europe. We dropped Leslie and Tiffany at there grand-parents in Luxembourg, and took the drive to Champagne Region for a very exiting program. First and most important, it was the opportunity to see again Marie, Chritophe and Thibault my ski buddies for the last 2 years. Thanks to three of you, we had an amazing time...and we will see you again very soon. Our first stop was in Cuis, a very cute little village South of Epernay. We had an appointment at Pierre Gimonnet, one of our prefered "little" house of Champagne. They only produce Blancs de Blancs, Champagne made only of Chardonnay grappes. Sadly for us, they do not produce any rose, but it was for us ... read more