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Champagne
Champagne - Ardenne is made up of four départements (counties): Aube-en-Champagne, Ardennes, Haute-Marne, Marne.
Champagne is a perfect short break destination for visitors from the UK. There are a array of things to see and do in the region, with beautiful countryside, glorious architectural treasures and fascinating museums to enthral visitors from all over the world. The region is most famous for its production of the world’s best-loved bubbly – champagne, and is home to the most famous champagne houses - Veuve Clicquot, Moët & Chandon, Taittinger, Mercier, Laurent Perrier, Pommery, Piper Heidsieck.
For further information, visit the official website for tourism in Champagne-Ardenne at http://www.champagne-ardenne-tourism.co.uk
We thank them for their collaboration.
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Short Breaks in Champagne
The Champagne Trail runs from one Champagne bastion to another, from Reims to Epernay, covering 70 km of Champagne's villages and the vineyards in-between. There is no better place to learn about the golden nectar.
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The Parc Naturel Regional de la Montagne de Reims
The Parc Naturel Regional de la Montagne de Reims is very famous as it encompasses the greater part of the vineyards of Champagne. There are great trails for horseriders, hikers, ramblers and cyclists, along the River Marne and the ‘Faux de Verzy’ trail is known for the twisted beech trees along its course.
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Family Experiences in Champagne
Nigloland is the only theme park in Champagne-Ardenne. Nigloland features eighteen different attractions from a tiny train to flying saucers set in eighteen hectares of grounds. Nigloland is in the Aube-en-Champagne, near Dolancourt.
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Educational Experiences in Champagne
Champagne-Ardenne has a Cutlery Museum as well as a War & Peace Museum that tells the history of the area in the First and Second World Wars. The Domaine de Vendresse explains the history of cast-iron making and the secret universe of the region’s rivers – a typically eclectic mixture of subjects.
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Art in Champagne
Visit the house of the painter August Renoir, who lived at Essoyes near Bar-sur-Seine. Cristalleries Royales de Champagne in Bayel is where handmade tableware and ‘objets d’arts’ are crafted. www.bayel-cristal.com
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Shopping Breaks - Champagne
It was in Troyes that the concept of factory outlets, now much copied but never equalled, was originally born. The town is the biggest European centre of this kind.
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Water Sports in Champagne
Der-Chantecoq, Forêt d’Orient, Vieilles Forges and la Liez lakes offer 10,000 hectares of lakes and waterways and 10,000 good reasons to come and have fun in Champagne-Ardenne.
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Champagne Food and Drink
Truffles are a famous product of the Haute-Marne. ‘Andouillette de Troyes’ is the most famous of the cooked meats made in the region. Pigs trotters in breadcrumbs is a delicacy enjoyed in the Marne. Boudin Blanc de Rethel is a favourite of the Ardennes – a white pudding.
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Walking and Cycling in Champagne
With over 5,000 km of paths, tracks, and trails, Champagne-Ardenne has plenty for those who want to get out and about. Discover the countryside at your own pace on foot, horseback or by bike.
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Culture in Champagne
Charleville-Mézières, known for the Place Ducale, an exact replica of the Place des Vosges in Paris, and for the International Festival of Puppet Theatre that takes place every three years. (The next one is this year, in September).
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History in Champagne
Retrace the footsteps of the twenty-five French kings who were crowned in the magnificent Gothic cathedral of Reims. Castles not to be missed.
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Churches from Down the Ages
A number of tourist itineraries have been formulated to highlight the religious heritage of the region. The Route of Half-Timbered Churches and 16th Century Stained Glass Windows is unique to Champagne-Ardenne. www.lacduder.com
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Marne
The Marne is quite simply ‘Champagne Central’! The departement contains both Reims and Epernay, which between them are home to almost all of the well known Champagne houses. As you might imagine, the landscape is dominated by vines although part of the lac du Der-Chantecoq sneaks into the bottom south west corner. The Marne is also home to the administrative capital of the region, Chalons.
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Aube-en-Champagne
The Aube-en-Champagne departement/county is just a hop from London via the tunnel or the Ferry , one and a half hours from Paris and an hour south of Reims, you will find a tiny paradise with everything charming and relaxing about the French way of life.
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Haute-Marne
The Haute-Marne département/ county, is an intensely rural department, which has approximately 3 acres of forest per inhabitant, this area was the birthplace of the philosopher Diderot and is the final resting place of Charles de Gaulle. In the north west of the departement is the lac du Der-Chantecoq, which claims to be the largest man made lake in Europe and is a magnet for bird watchers, fishermen and watersports enthusiasts. The town of Langres also gives us one of France’s most distinctive cheeses, which tastes better than it looks!
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Ardennes
Bordering Belgium, the rural Ardennes departement/county is a nature lovers paradise. Largely covered by ancient deciduous forests it provides a fantastic playground for outdoor types. The emblem of the departement is the wild boar (Sanglier) which also features heavily in local dishes. The capital, Charleville-Mézières, has a very attractive main square modelled on the Place des Vosges in Paris (pictured).
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Not to be missed in Champagne-Ardenne
The fruit of its vineyards is so famous that the first thing you think of in this region is a glass of champagne. You can of course begin the journey underground and visit the wine cellars. Reims, its magnificient cathedral or its museum of fine arts, should not make you forget the 'vine-growers' villages spread around the region. There is also the Ardennes with its wild forests, populated by roe deer and hares.
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VFB Holidays French Town & Country Hotels Short Break
4 days/3 nights from £111pp. Self-drive break inc. ferry travel. Stay in 2,3 or 4 star hotel (B+B)
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Arblaster & Clarke Vineyard Walks
Offering Vineyard Walks walking from cellar to cellar at leisurely paces with views of the chateaux.
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Champagne Breaks
Champagne Weekends with great hotels, Champagne House visits with tastings, gourmet food, all year
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Francophiles Exploring France
Accompanied cultural luxury coach tours to regions of France
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Belle France - Cycling & Walking
Delightful cycling and walking holidays through beautiful parts of France. Venture at your own pace.
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Cycling for Softies/Cycling for Gourmets
Live as gypsies by day and kings by night. Cycling for Softies offers luxurious, independent holidays in rural France. Hotels are chosen for comfort, character, friendliness and, most importantly, the gourmet menus! susi@cycling-for-softies.co.uk
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More Holiday Options ...
Find hotel / b&b accommodation in Champagne
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