We are still enjoying our time in Epernay.

We took Barney on a day trip and our first stop was Chalons-en-Champagne which has 2 UNESCO listed churches.The Collegiale Notre Dame-en-Vaux is a lovely Romanesque Church and a gathering place for pilgrims on the road to Santiago de Compostela. (The Camino Trail) The stained glass windows were magnificent.

The Chalons Cathedral is Gothic style and like the other has beautiful windows.

We had a coffee break before we headed off again and driving along the road suddenly the huge Basilica Norte Dame L’Epine came into view (from a few kms away). Of course it is UNSECO listed and has been a place of pilgrimage since the Middle Ages,. It was built in the 15th Century. There was a service in progress so we were unable to enter.

We then headed onto Verdun. The city endured the longest battle in WW1 from February to December 1916, 302 days with French and German casualties numbering 714,213. The city sits on the Meuse River and was a fortified city. There were many monuments and war cemeteries around the area.

We enjoyed a nice lunch by the river and although it didn’t look very appetizing the fish tasted great and the crème brûlée was the best one so far!

The Town Hall was built in 1623 and was a private mansion and was luckily spared from attacks during the Battle of Verdun. Rhonda became very excited on the drive home when we came across a huge field of her favourite sunflowers so of course we had to have a stop for a photo.

Greg has been cooking up a storm on our 12 euro BBQ and finally we were able to grill a whole fish. Unfortunately it. Was not a spigola or bar as sea bass is called in France but it was delicious anyway. well done Chef Gregory!

We have enjoyed sampling the Provence Rose on the odd occasion. The melons here are absolutely delicious.

We have stumbled across a great little Italian deli that sells hand made pasta. Chef Greg cooks up a great sauce and it is delicious. So far we have tried the 3 meat (rabbit,veal and beef) and a Parma ham! Yum!

Another day trip was to the Medieval city of Provins. Our first coffee stop was at Sezzane to see the Church of Saint Denis,a listed historical monument.

Then it was onto Provins,a fortified Medieval town and a UNSECO listed Heritage site. It is considered to be one of the best preserved Medieval cities in France. The ramparts were built in the 13th Century. The Joey Gate was one of the main entrances to the city.

The Place du Chantel was the heart of the upper town and is rather pretty with its four gabled houses.

The Collegiate Church of Saint-Quiriace was built in the 12th Century. Caesar Tower was built in the 12th Century as a symbol of power by the Counts of Champagne. It has been used a watchtower, prison and bell tower.

The 16th Century Bell Tower is all that remains of the Church Norte Dame-Val which was destroyed during the French Revolution. The Sainte-Croix Church was reconstructed in the 16th and 17th Centuries. we found it quite unusual on the outside, but fortunately we couldn’t get inside, it was closed over lunch!

Although Provins has 58 monuments included in the French Historical Monuments List, we were a little underwhelmed by our visit. We enjoyed our time there but we were expecting a little more.

We have walked all the streets around Epernay, the main thoroughfares and back streets, it’s not that big! The Norte Dame Church is fairly young, built in 1897. The windows were damaged in WW1 and restored in 1922. Epernay in the middle of the 1800’s became a railway hub with its station. Built during the 1848 revolution. The station was opened in 1849 ,in the presence of Napoleon Bonaparte. The creation of the railway line boosted Champagne sales thanks to the improved transportation conditions.

The Opera House was built in 1898 and is an Historical Monument. During WW2 it was the place where the Resistance stayed to help liberate the city. In the middle of the town, surrounded by shops is the Portail Saint-Martin, the oldest monument in Epernay. It is the only remaining part of the Abbey of Saint Martin which stood there until it was demolished in the 19th and 20th centuries.

Of course when in Champagne, one must partake in some champagne tasting, even though it can be rather expensive!

Finally we are having a summer now with the last 3 days being around 34 degrees. Only problem is our air conditioning is not that great! But we shouldn’t complain, it’s better than drizzly rain and 18 degrees!

So it’s that time , yep, time for a champers!

Lots of love

Greg and Rhonda

xxxx