Champagne-Ardenne
Visit Champagne-Ardenne, France
It is not hard to guess why the Champagne region is famous or what attracts the visitors - champagne is of course loved the world over, and many people like to pay a pilgrimage to the source of the world's most celebrated party drink!
Six unmissable highlights of a visit to Champagne-Ardenne
No visit would be complete without a trip to the renowned cathedral and palace at Reims.
Epernay and the surrounding countryside offer numerous ways to enjoy the local champagne!
The heart of Troyes contains an intriguing mix of renaissance and medieval architecture.
The ramparts in Langres date back up to 2000 years and are more than three kilometres long!
Givet is known for Charlemont Fort that stands on a hill overlooking the town
Chalons-en-Champagne is home to several imposing gothic style cathedrals and churches.Chalons-en-Champagne
Champagne-Ardenne, France: introduction and highlights
Champagne-Ardenne is found to the north-east of France, where it's north-eastern frontier borders Belgium. The capital of the region is Chalons-en-Champagne, and the departments in Champagne-Ardenne are Haute-Marne, Marne, Aube and Ardennes.
Places to visit in Champagne-Ardenne
First stop for champagne enthusiasts will surely be Epernay - the centre of the champagne world - where you can visit caves and sip champagne to your hearts content.
The local tourist authorities also suggest several driving tours that explore the vineyards and chateaux of the region around Reims and Epernay and in the villages south-east of Troyes - be sure to ask for details in a tourist office close to you when you visit Champagne.
Elsewhere in Champagne-Ardenne you will enjoy exploring the rolling forests of the Ardenne to the north and the peaceful, unspoiled villages in the southern part of the region.
There are numerous imposing castles and historical monuments to enjoy across the Champagne-Ardenne region - among them be sure to visit the 'largest castle in Europe' at Sedan in the Ardennes and also the abbey and village at nearby Montherme.
Head north from here and on the frontier with Belgium visit Givet (and the Charlemont Fort), and the small town of Vireux-Molhain.
One particular recommended town to explore when you visit the Champagne-Ardenne region is Reims, with several important monuments including the cathedral, also the Palace of Tau and Reims basilica, and an important Museum of Fine Arts.
Other noteworthy towns to visit in the region include Chalons-en-Champagne; the prefecture town for the Ardennes at Charleville-Mezières with the impressive Place Ducal; the lovely medieval town of Troyes; and the ancient ramparts of Langres.
In the countryside east of Troyes garden enthusiasts will want to visit Joinville to see the 'remarkable gardens' at the Chateau du Grand Jardin and the nearby 'Jardin de Mon Moulin'.
Among the many historical monuments in Champagne-Ardenne we suggest the Chateau de Motte-Tilly, a listed national Monument in the Aube department, and the Basilica of Notre-Dame at Epine.
An interesting architectural feature of the region can be seen in the villages between Troyes and Saint-Dizier, where there are about 10 half-timbered churches, mostly built from the 16-17th centuries, which are both interesting and attractive (see the official guide and lots of information and photos at Champagne Route des Eglises à pans de bois)
See more ideas and highlights for the region at Champagne-Ardenne tourist information, with more towns, national monuments, national parks, towns in bloom etc across the Champagne-Ardenne region.
Map of Champagne-Ardenne
French version: Champagne-Ardenne (Francais)
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