Preface: Welcome to one of my Short City Adventures. These are shorter not due to any lack of affection for the featured locations, but because the visits were either brief, offering just a glimpse of the city, or because the cities only have a handful of attractions. Join me and discover whether these cities might interest you.
Reims, located in the heart of the champagne region, was a city I visited for a consulting project with a champagne house. Due to the brief nature of our trip, my experiences in Reims were limited, but still quite memorable.
On the first day of our visit, we faced the challenge of navigating the city due to the limited public transportation options from the train station. Uber and similar taxi services seemed scarce, but luckily, one of our group members spoke French and managed to arrange a car for us.
Our itinerary included visits to two champagne houses. First was Pommery, with its cellars housing countless dusty, unlabeled bottles, which appeared more for show than for actual champagne production. Modern champagne-making has shifted towards automated processes for better consistency and safety. The second house, G.H. Martel, revealed that the city’s extensive underground caves, once mining tunnels, are now ingeniously repurposed as wine cellars. Personally, I prefer fruity and sweeter champagnes, but the tour was enlightening.
The Notre Dame of Reims was another highlight, rivaling its Parisian counterpart with its grandeur, intricate design, and lovely garden. It’s undoubtedly a source of local pride.
Reims may not be a typical tourist destination due to its lack of varied attractions, but for those interested in champagne and local history, it offers a unique insight into the region’s significance in French culture.
A Toast to Reims: Champagne Tasting and Cultural Discoveries
Preface: Welcome to one of my Short City Adventures. These are shorter not due to any lack of affection for the featured locations, but because the visits were either brief, offering just a glimpse of the city, or because the cities only have a handful of attractions. Join me and discover whether these cities might interest you.
Reims, located in the heart of the champagne region, was a city I visited for a consulting project with a champagne house. Due to the brief nature of our trip, my experiences in Reims were limited, but still quite memorable.
On the first day of our visit, we faced the challenge of navigating the city due to the limited public transportation options from the train station. Uber and similar taxi services seemed scarce, but luckily, one of our group members spoke French and managed to arrange a car for us.
Our itinerary included visits to two champagne houses. First was Pommery, with its cellars housing countless dusty, unlabeled bottles, which appeared more for show than for actual champagne production. Modern champagne-making has shifted towards automated processes for better consistency and safety. The second house, G.H. Martel, revealed that the city’s extensive underground caves, once mining tunnels, are now ingeniously repurposed as wine cellars. Personally, I prefer fruity and sweeter champagnes, but the tour was enlightening.
The Notre Dame of Reims was another highlight, rivaling its Parisian counterpart with its grandeur, intricate design, and lovely garden. It’s undoubtedly a source of local pride.
Reims may not be a typical tourist destination due to its lack of varied attractions, but for those interested in champagne and local history, it offers a unique insight into the region’s significance in French culture.