Champagne Capital - Reims, France

Large Barrel at Pommery Showing America Being Offered Champagne

Pat Happy in Champagne Heaven! - Reims, France

French Cafe at Night - Reims, France

Champagne Capital - Reims, France (6/22-23/2011) - More champagne (good for Pat) and more history (good for Wayne). Reims is located in the north of France famous in French history for its spectacular gothic cathedral (Cathedrale Notre-Dame de Reims), a UNESCO World Heritage Site, where all the kings of France for a 1,000 years from Louis the Pious in 815 to Charles X in 1815 were crowned. The most famous event was the coronation of Charles VII with Joan of Arc (Jeanne d’Arc) at his side in 1429.

Cathedrale Notre-Dame de Reims Lit during Reve

French School Children - Reims, France

Pat Enjoying French Cafe - Reims, Fran

Reims is also the main city of the champagne area and home to major producers such as Pommery, Mumm, and Taittinger. We visited the beautiful modern “castle” of Pommery where we toured some of their 11 miles of cellars (caves). Pommery has 20 million bottles getting ready for enjoyment and their champagne was excellent. Reims has some tree-lined pedestrian-only streets with charming French cafes pouring out into the street centered on the Sube Fountain with its golden statue of Winged Victory on Pl Drouet d’Erion.

We saw Woody Allen’s movie “Midnight in Paris” here in Reims and after seeing it we walked out into “the movie set” and had dinner at a French café – way too cool! One night we also attended an amazing special event (Reve de Couleurs) where they had a lightshow on the front of the famous Cathedral. The colors coordinated with the detailed facets of the church were astonishing. Do see the extra photos.

Most of the old houses in Reims were destroyed during WWI and the city was extensively rebuilt in the 1920's in an Art Deco style. Next stop… Mont Saint Michel & Saint Malo, France.

Treat yourself and see many more photos (some winners of awards) of our worldwide travel adventures - click on our travel photo file: www.flickr.com/photos/unhooknow/sets. Our life-style change and comprehensive how-to world travel book “Plan Your Escape, Secrets of Traveling the World for Less Than the Cost of Living at Home” reveals secrets how you can travel and see more for half the cost, claim your life, escape your 9 to 5 routine, experience more adventure and romance, safely realize your travel dreams, and travel the world for less than $100/day for a couple! – for additional information and sign up for FREE travel tips and bargains, go to www.PlanYourEscapeNow.com