After breakfast at the Etap, we were back on the A4/E50 towards Paris. More war cemeteries today both on the way out of Verdun and then along the way and into the Champagne region. It is quite sobering to think of the devastation war has brought to this area and the lives lost.
We left the motorway near Verzy to drive the secondary roads through the Champagne region. Of course, this area is best known for the production of the sparkling white wine that bears the region's name but also takes in the 500 square kilometre national park, the Parc Natural Régional de la Montagne de Reims.
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| Champaign Grapes |
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| Vineyards Everywhere |
The wine production has been happening in the area since the 17th & 18th centuries when many of the great Champagne houses were established. EU law and the laws of most countries reserve the term "Champagne" exclusively for wines that come from this region. The principal grapes grown include Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, and Pinot Meunier. Harvest had pretty well finished but we managed to stop along the way and take some photos next to the grapes that would end up in Moet and Bollinger Champagne.
We had lunch in Épernay, the self-proclaimed capitale du champagne, and even bought a bottle of Moet (they obviously have a cheaper line). Apparently, beneath the streets in 110km of subterranean cellars, more than 200 million bottles are stored away ready for sale. We saw a very small sample of that when we purchased our bottle. Lots of lovely buildings, including Hôtel de Ville, and the headquarters of some of the Champagne houses including Moet, Bollinger and Perrier (obviously they don’t only make water).
After lunch, it was back on the Motorway to Paris where we had a date to drop off the car at 4:00pm. Just as well we were a bit early because we did have a bit of difficulty finding our destination, not helped by some roads being closed for roadworks.
Caught a taxi to the L’Hotel de Mericourt which took forever – traffic was very heavy. We dropped our luggage and then went for a walk to find a bookshop. Had dinner at a Korean Barbecue (where you cook your own meat on a barbecue at the table) – and very nice it was too.
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| Moet & Chandon Headquarters |
After lunch, it was back on the Motorway to Paris where we had a date to drop off the car at 4:00pm. Just as well we were a bit early because we did have a bit of difficulty finding our destination, not helped by some roads being closed for roadworks.
Caught a taxi to the L’Hotel de Mericourt which took forever – traffic was very heavy. We dropped our luggage and then went for a walk to find a bookshop. Had dinner at a Korean Barbecue (where you cook your own meat on a barbecue at the table) – and very nice it was too.
