Reims travel guide

Reims is situated 108 miles from Lille and 151 miles from Rouen in the northwestern region of France called Champagne-Ardenne, a region famous for its sparkling white wine, the champagne. The city of Reims was founded by the Gauls and during the Roman Empire became a major city. In the south and the western part of Reims stands “Montagne de Reims”.

REIMS TRAVEL GUIDE-CULTURE AND ARCHITECTURE

The oldest monuments in Reims are the Roman ruins, one in particular is “Porte de Mars” or “Mars Gate”, a triumphal arch made in honor of Augustus. Furthermore, Mmost Remis travel guides recommend visiting Place Royale, with the statue of Louis XV, Place Cardinal-Lucon with Joan of Arc and the city’s central square, Place Drouet d’Erlon with the fountains and the restaurants. Notre-Dame de Reims is the cathedral where the kings were crowned. Another place connected to kings is the archiepiscopal palace, The Palace of Tau and the Saint Remi Basilica in which several kings and archbishops lie buried.

REIMS TREVEL GUIDE-THE SPARKLING WINE

Being the largest city of Marne, Reims is the capital or the prefecture of Marne and Champagne–Ardenne, in administrative terms of Chalons-en-Champagne. Lots of champagne producing-houses from the 17th and 18th century have their headquarters in Reims making it an important center of champagne production. The most known brands of wine produced in Reims are: Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier, Pinot Noir being the most planted grapes in Reims. Because of the temperature (10o C), it is difficult for the grapes to fully ripen, but the same temperature is ideal for the acidity of the sparkling wine. In the XIX century, there was a boom in champagne sale.

REIMS TREVEL GUIDE-ECONOMY and WINE INDUSTRY

Reims economy is mostly based on agriculture, 61.4% of the land is dedicated to it, but the land is also rich in timber and minerals, although the money comes from the wine industry. The producing-houses of wine are: Charles de Cazanove, Chanoine Freres Charles Heidsieck, Henri Abele, Henriot,premium vintage label, Krug also a vintage, Louis Roederer with vintage “Cristal”, Marie Stuart, Muum, Piper-Heidsieck, Pommery, Ruinart, Taittinger, Thienot, Vouve Clicquot Ponsardin; most of this brands are well known all over the world for their unique taste and flavor.

In France the champagne is often served in specialized stemware that makes the sweetness and the bubbles taste special, or this is maybe an illusion of France!