Reims in the Champagne Area of France

On Wednesday, October 19 we got up early and took a train to the city of Reims.  It's a 45 minute train trip from Paris' Gare d l'Est. So we took the Metro to the Gare (and we are getting very proficient at the Metro!) and had time for a quick cup of coffee before our departure.

We had reservations at a wonderful hotel, the Grand Hotel des Templiers, and it turned out to be a great choice.

At one time this hotel was the home of one of the proprietors of a champagne house.
We loved it.

We visited Notre-Dame de Reims Cathedral. Twenty-five kings of France were crowned at this magnificent cathedral and the stained glass windows were exquisite. One was created by Marc Chagall.

Next we visited the Veuve Clicquot champagne house. I happen to love Veuve Clicquot champagne, so I was quite excited to get the reservation to tour this house.

Thursday morning we had an appointment for a tour at the Pomerry Champagne House.  I thought it was the better tour.  It was a bit less formal and the guide was very informative.  The Pomerry cellars are made from a Roman limestone quarry.  During the war, 25,000 people lived in the cellars.

Both champagne houses had sculptures carved into the stone. And both of these champagne houses were run by women in the early years.