CHAMPAGNE-ARDENNES

The name 'Champagne' is derived from the latin 'Campania', its name deriving from the similarities between the rolling hills of the Champagne region and the countryside of Campania to the south of Rome.

The very word 'champagne' conjures up thoughts of celebration with its famous sparkling wine. When Lily Bollinger of the famous champagne house was asked: "When do you drink champagne?" - she replied:

"I only drink champagne when I'm happy, and when I'm sad.
Sometimes I drink it when I'm alone.
When I have company, I consider it obligatory.
I trifle with it if I am not hungry and drink it when I am.
Otherwise I never touch it - unless I'm thirsty".


The main centres for champagne are Reims and Epernay, and if in the area a visit to one of the champagne houses is a 'must'. Reims also has its famous gothic cathedral, where once the kings of France (24 in all) were crowned - Joan of Arc, for instance, witnessed the coronation of Charles VII.

Other places of note include Châlons-en-Champagne, the capital of the region. Troyes has its ancient houses, and by contrast, large malls with factory outlet shops. Colombey-les-Deux-Églises is the village which achieved fame as the home and burial place of Charles de Gaulle.

For water sports enthusiasts, there are many waterways and lakes in the region, including the largest man made-lake in Europe - 4800 hectares.

As well as providing some very general information, these notes reflect my own impressions following many visits to France. They are, however, no substitute for the very good and interesting books which are available. William Pearson©