What is it about champagne that tickles your spine, urges you to be at your best, makes you smile and your spirits soar?
Yes, I’ve been on this wonderful champagne tour in France – Les Riceys. It isn’t only a destination for lovers of the “Great Bubbly”, but also features beautiful architecture e.g., Troyes, with its Cathedral, castles and numerous timbered buildings and churches.
As Co-Director of Slow Travel for Women, it is always an exciting adventure to look for new possible tours for potential clients always keeping in mind our Slow Travel Philosophy as well as picking up new recipes for our Slow Travel Newsletter, yes, and perhaps a new Slow Travel Cookbook. Why not?
Our trip began in Troyes. We visited the impressive St. Peter and St. Paul Cathedral, which is now a national monument in France. It is particularly noted for its exceptional stained glass windows. We sat at a bar in the central piazza of Troyes admiring and breathing the beauties and wonders of this majestic cathedral. We then toured some local wine & champagne producers sampling some wine & champagne and chose a few bottles to take home.
We then headed to the twin Aube vineyards of Bar-sur-Aube and Bar-sur-Seine. This region, which supplies about a third of all the Pinot Noir, is packed with interesting places to visit and fascinating people to meet.
I would like to mention the very beautiful village of Essoyes, where the famous painter, Renoir, lived and worked among the wine growers. We visited his atelier and museum. Returning home I discovered an apple in my handbag that I had pinched from his apple orchard!!
There is something about a Champagne Tour that enters into your pores, something that makes you feel elegant, wealthy and most of all makes you feel so happy. You are happy “inside” and, therefore, makes you happy on the “outside” as well. I’ve thought a lot about this. It is probably also due to the fact that you are constantly absorbing the culture, a combination of the country, people and their traditions and, of course, the champagne itself. All champagne producers we visited had their own stories to tell. I wouldn’t have missed this opportunity for the world.
It would be difficult to relate all our experiences in this exceptionally interesting region of France. However, I would like to share with you one special visit which took place at Bligny Castle.
Our tour began at 11 am where we were received by the castle guide and, much to our surprise and delight, we were taken to the private quarters which are currently occupied. The beauty of the dining room, living room etc left us in awe. We were taken to the castle cellars and viewed the various steps of the actual champagne bottling. We then adjourned to the formal dining room and tasted four of their champagnes served on crested Bligny silver trays. ”. We reluctantly left the castle in silence treasuring this unforgettable experience.
I should point out that It is wise to “sip” and not “drink during wine / champagne tours. You can enjoy your glass during dinner while going over the day’s happenings. By visiting local producers you can buy at excellent prices.
Our last stop was Arbois in the Jura area. We again stocked up on wine for Thanksgiving and the forthcoming Holidays. The wine from this area is very special. In some cases it is almost like a white sherry. My favorite is a MacVin which served cold is a delightful aperitif or as a “pousse café” after your meal.
For all Champagne and wine lovers, as Co-Director of Slow Travel for Women, we will certainly do our utmost to plan a tour in the Riceys area of France in the near future.
A votre santée!
Muriel
