Day 6: Oct. 20, 2018
Troyes: (112 km / 1 hour 30 minutes) Epernay: tasting champagne at winery (28 km / 40 minutes) Reims
Troyes city square and its medieval architecture.
Epernay, Capital of Champagne.
Epernay, once destroyed during the Hundred Years’ War, is now famous for its production of champagne, with many popular wineries attracting tourists from all over the world. Located in the south of Reims, Epernay is an area suitable for growing grapes and making wine due to sunny climate and fertile soil. The champagne produced each year has its own flavor and is of superior quality, sought hotly by wine collectors, giving Epernay the reputation of “the champagne capital.” The beautiful town of Epernay has also arranged for us to visit a champagne winery, to taste authentic champagne—a taste and experience that will linger.
Le moulin de Verzenay, Montagne de Reims.
Reims Cathedral, a 13th-century Gothic masterpiece.
The electric railway in Reims.
In the afternoon we leave for Reims. With its magnificent landscape and historical background, Reims has played a very important role. From the Middle Ages to 1825, twenty-four French kings have been crowned in Reims, the coronation capital. We will visit Reims Cathedral, a Gothic art masterpiece and the coronation site of the Kings of France. It has been listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1991. Then we stroll the main shopping district around the cathedral. Nearby streets to browse are the long rue de Vesle, the cours Langlet, and place Drouet d’Erlon. Shoppers from all over the world have plenty to choose from in the historical city’s bountiful shops and stores. You’ll want to include champagne on your shopping list.