A few hours drive saw us set up camp at Epernay, which is billed as the ‘Capital of Champagne’, as it sits in the middle of the champagne region. Many of the best known champagne houses have their vineyards and storage in and around the town and there is a well known name around every corner. We took a day out to walk around the town and see the sights but, to be honest, apart from the nameplates, the town itself was a bit, shall we say, uninspiring.
The locals waste no opportunity to make the most of their main industry, as this roundabout illustrates.
The famous Castellane Tower is a notable landmark.
The town revolves around it’s famous product.
I don’t think I’ve ever actually tasted it.
Riding though the champagne countryside was the best, however.With one notable exception when we had to ride about 15 minutes through thick, loose, tar-covered gravel when we came across some unfinished roadworks. Not the best for a belt drive. That apart, it was great to ride amongst the vineyards, and the sun shone, and all was well with the world.
Vineyards covered the hillsides for miles around.
It wasn’t all vines of course. It wouldn’t be France without sunflowers.
We came across many memorials to those lost to war, all still carefully tended.
You pass many like this as you travel through northern France.
The memorial at Dormans is the national memorial to all those that gave everything. And a striking edifice it is too.
On another day we headed East on some superb roads until we reached the town of Mourmelon-le-grande. From here we cut back to the city of Reims, famous for it’s elaborate cathedral.
All roads should be like this.
I think the sign translates as: ‘A train makes a mess of a car’, or words to that effect.
The cathedral at Reims is the best we’ve seen to date. Ornate. Huge. Spectacular.
It’s no surprise it took hundreds of years to complete.
We had a walk around Reims while we were there, and found much more going on than at our Epernay base. Altogether a very fine city.
We spent several days in Champagne country, but then it began to feel a little flat, so we knew it was time to move on once more. Not just to a new town or area, but to a new country.One which neither Jayney or I had ever visited before.
You mean you made it through there without tasting any champagne? Once again, beautiful countryside. Loved the sunflowers! I’m looking forward to seeing what’s next for you all!
By: shadowrun300 on August 12, 2012
at 2:22 am
Fields of sunflowers are one of the iconic images that stick in the mind when travelling through France Shadowrun. As for the Champagne, I meant I hadn’t tasted Moet and Chandon. Of course I’ve had Champagne, I’m a newlywed, after all.
By: Stevie D on August 12, 2012
at 5:52 am