Unsurprisingly, the most popular thing to do in Champagne
Country is drink champagne. However, the region has plenty to offer
visitors and the attractions are varied. Champagne Country is
interesting from a military history perspective and has many
military monuments, museums and battlefields. Despite heavy bombing
of the cities during World War II, there is also still some quality
medieval architecture to be found.
Tourists should head for Epernay and Reims to sample
the best bubbly on offer in the region. Epernay hosts many of the
great champagne houses and visitors can tour the cellars of both
Moët et Chandon and Mercier. In Reims the Maison de Pommery, Mumm
and Verve Clicquot, among others, wait to entertain guests. Both of
these cities, though ancient, have suffered from wartime
destruction and now seem industrial and modern. However, they do
have some gems for the historical sightseer, like the magnificent
Cathedrale Notre-Dame de Reims, where dynasties of French monarchs
were crowned.
The quaint and well-preserved old town of Troyes,
which dates back to the Roman era, gives visitors an idea of how
the grand cities of the region must once have looked. It is
jam-packed with picturesque old buildings and interesting museums,
as well as several incredible churches.
Amiens is a good base from which to explore the
battlefields, cemeteries and memorials of World War I. Possibly the
best place from which to explore battle sites in the Champagne
Country is the industrial town of Chateau-Thierry, where the
surrounding countryside has borne witness to great battles during
both World Wars. Here visitors can explore the WWI Aisne-Marne
American Cemetery and the Belleau Wood battlefield, among other
moving sites.