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Champagne-Ardenne is located between Paris (Ile de
France) and the Belgian border. As its name suggests this region
is the home of the world’s best known and original sparkling
white wine. Over 270 million bottles are produced in Champagne
each year, but less than half is exported. In addition to champagne
the area is a significant agricultural area devoted to arable farming
such as barley, wheat, alfalfa, beets etc. Like other regions of
northern France Champagne-Ardenne has had more than its share of
conflict visited upon it especially during the 20th Century. It
was a major battleground of World
War One and the Ardenne
Forest was the scene of Nazi Germany’s last big offensive
that momentarily halted and almost reversed the Allies progress.
The Battle
of the Bulge as it was known cost the Americans 19,000 dead
and remains the costliest engagement of the US Army. The Ardenne
region is sparsely populated consisting of dense forested hill country
making it a popular nature lover’s destination.. A rural exodus
over the last few decades has reduced the region’s population
to 1.3 million making it one of the least populated of Europe in
terms of density. The regional capital is the little known Châlons-en-Champagne.
Larger and better known cities of Troyes, with its streets laid
out in the shape of a champagne cork and Reims the home of a world
heritage listed cathedral and centre of the champagne producing
area.
Reims | Marne | Champagne-Ardenne | 51100
Riems (pronounced remm) is the largest and best known city in the
Champagne-Ardenne Region although it is neither capital of the region
or even Prefecture of the Departement of Marne. Its fame lies in
the fact that it is at the epicenter of the production of Champagne.
Reims is also an important historic city containing no less than
four World Heritage Listed buildings such as Notre
Dame Cathedral, Saint-Remi Basilica, Tau Palace and Saint Remi
Museum. The city endured significant damage during both world wars,
but has been restored to its former glory. Reims is 165 km from
Paris and is a popular tourist centre for day trippers. It is connected
to Paris by rail and autoroute and relies on Paris airports for
air access.
Troyes | Aube | Champagne-Ardenne | 10000
Troyes was founded by the Romans in the Ist Century AD and remained
relatively small until the early Middle Ages, and the rise of Champagne.
During the middle ages the rulers of Champagne fortified their prosperous
capital. The walls were demolished in the 1800s and the city was
redesigned in the shape of a champagne cork. Many beautiful half
timbered medieval buildings remain however in the city’s historic
quarter. For the soccer fan, Troyes has a team in the French First
Division and for the shopper there is a huge complex of factory
outlet stores called Marques
City.
Getting
there
By road with Viamichelin.com
routeplanner
By air via Paris,
Lille
By rail from Paris
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