Sue and I on the TGV, a bullet train that zips from Charles de Gaulle airport to Reims in no time! Order your ticket in advance for best prices!

1. Taking the bullet train from the airport to Reims at sunset after taking a red-eye from LAX.
   

   Sue waits at the brand new train station just outside of Reims You’ll need a ride or to take a local train to get into town.

2. Having an appointment at biodynamic winery with Cyril Collard first thing in the morning where you get to meet the son and the father, visit the cellar, taste your first red wine made in Bouzy, Champagne, and learn how they moved from selling commercially made grapes to making their own biodynamic wines.
   

   Former sommelier Cyril Collard with his dad in their tasting room in Bouzy. You should call in advance to make an appointment!

3. Enjoying a leisurely lunch on the mainly pedestrian Place de Erlon in downtown Reims with a view of a famous fountain and sculpture.
   

   The Place de Erlon features this fountain, Sube, that depicts the four rivers of the region with a sculpture on top La Glorie. The streets in this part of town are largely pedestrian. You should definitely plan some down time relaxing and listening to the water!

    

4.  Using a tablet to take a tour of Reim’s Notre Dame Cathedral and downtown.
   

   You can spend a few minutes or a few hours; plan to join a tour to climb the towers!

    

5. Understanding because of the world wars why there’s so much art deco architecture and seeing vibrant color and art everywhere.
   

   You can take the walking tour with the tablet or just wander around on your own!

    

6. Gazing on the Mars Arch from when Romans ruled the western world including this part of France.
   

   You will feel dwarfed by the size and the age of this Roman Empire Arch from the 3c that’s at one end of a park at the edge of downtown near the new metro center.

    

7. Resting in a hammock in the park near the Mars Arch.
   

   Got jet lag? Reims has hammocks! You could spend all day in this park near the Mars arch! A grocery store nearby could provide all you need for your picnic!

    

8. Meeting a friend at the L’Epicerie Au Bon Manger, a small epicurean market with exquisite humanely raised charcuterie and natural wines (and then learning you can support them during COVID-19 and order from them online!).
   

   

   You will have a difficult time choosing cheeses and charcuterie from the wide selection!

9. Checking out the nightlife and wine bars after dark including the Glue Pot.
   

   You can find the Glue Pot and many other resources on Facebook!

10. A late night stop to check out — and participate in– the pressing of biodynamic grapes gravity fed into barrel.

Continue reading →