Monday, 13 February 2017

Sat 11 Feb 1°

Full day in city today, first stop the Tourist Information Center, well positioned next to the Cathedral Notre Dame  world heritage building.  It was huge, the size a Royal wedding would be comfortable in, one of Europe's most important Gothic buildings a masterpiece of13th century. Also famous for it's statue of the smiling angel.
It was the coronation cathedral of 25 French kings.

From here we walked to covered markets, fresh produce,meat, fish, pate etc and what we hoped was chutney.

We had lunch in a cafe bar, €31, very light omelet for me and chicken and chips for Tony in tasty mushroom sauce, only disappointment was lukewarm  coffee.

Walked back to the I site, it was freezing cold, they were having a Champagne tasting from Dominique Boulard  a family owned and run business near Epernay . 3 very generous servings and 3 very different Champagne 's very good use of time while waiting for 2pm for places to open, that warmed us up.

From here we went to the Museum, Mansion House of Hughes Krafft, millionaire champagne family,  biscuits makers and textile producers. His parents died when he was 28 and with his massive wealth that he inherited, he travelled the world, twice,  his most favourite was Japan. He built up a huge collection of furniture and artworks. He wrote many books, took hundreds of photos and won many artworks wards for his work.
An amazing  place well worth the €5 each entrance fee including a thorough tour in French and English by the guide, who went between the two fluenty.
Also learnt more about the earliest champagne houses and their female owners, Madam Cliquot and Madam Pommery.

So after a very interesting 2 hours, we walked back towards Bessie, happening upon a brass band of students,  bashing out a Saturday afternoon jam session.
Bought more baguette and escargot aux raisin. Noticed lots of people of all ages pulling their trolly bags with their shopping in, such a good idea. Also many, many smokers in France.

Back at Bessie heater on full to warm up, Temps dropped now, good day out in Reims.


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