Page 55 - BSAM 2018 Q1

for its magni cent fteenth-century stained-glass windows, among the most accessible and dramatic windows in France.
STAY: MERCURE TROYES CENTRE HOTEL
Day 6: Oct. 20, 2018
Troyes: (112 km / 1 hour 30 minutes) Epernay: tasting champagne at winery (28 km / 40 minutes) Reims
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 avor and is of superior quality, sought hotly by wine collectors, giving Epernay the reputation of “the champagne capital.” The beauti- ful town of Epernay has also arranged for us to visit a champagne winery, to taste authentic champagne—a taste and experience that will linger.
In the afternoon we leave for Reims. With its magni - cent 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 Cathe- dral, 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 cham- pagne on your shopping list.
STAY: HOLIDAY INN REIMS CITY CENTRE HOTEL
DAY 7: Oct. 21, 2018
Reims: (143 km / 1 hour and 40 minutes) Paris In the morning we go to Paris where you can choose to spend a few more days in this gorgeous city to enjoy sightseeing and shopping or to take an international ight back to your comfortable home!
Top left; Troyes city square and its medieval architecture. Photo: arpi.com
Top right; Epernay, Capital of Champagne. Photo: Reims Tourism.
Middle; Le moulin de Verzenay, Montagne de Reims. Photo: Vassil
Middle and Bottom; Reims Cathedral, a 13th-century Gothic masterpiece, and the electric railway in Reims. Photos: Johan Bakker and erausa.org
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