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Champagne-Ardenne : a sparkling queen
Champagne-Ardenne is France's leading agricultural region, with more than 60% of its surface area dedicated to agriculture, a standing it owes, in particular, to its famous champagne. Here the wine of kings rules as absolute monarch. It is the driving force of the whole region.
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Stained glass window of the Cathedral of Reims
Scenes of vine growing and vini culture. © Hemis.fr
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Reims Cathedral
© OnlyFrance
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Champagne Vineyards
© OnlyFrance
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Troyes
© Hemis.fr
History and Geography
Trade and champagne
It has been a trading region since prehistory. Reims became a famous trading crossroads in antiquity. In the Renaissance, Troyes hosted the largest trading fairs in Champagne, long before the wine became an international star.
Cultural heritage
Stained glass windows
Champagne-Ardenne is the European region with the largest number of old stained glass windows. Around 2,000 stained glass windows are preserved in some 300 buildings. The oldest are those in the chancel of Saint-Rémi in Reims and Troyes Cathedral. They date from the 13th century.
Exceptional sites
Reims Cathedral
For 8 centuries, the kings of France were crowned there. This masterpiece of gothic art, built in the 13th century, is one of Europe's major medieval monuments. The Cathedral is listed as a Unesco world heritage site.
Lifestyle
Dom Pérignon
Born in 1638, the monk Pierre Pérignon was responsible for the Hautvillers abbey's vineyard and wine presses. The special care that he took during the harvests and when blending vintages and grape varieties produced the famous wine.
Gastronomy
Gastronomy
Boudin blanc de Rethel, andouillette de Troyes, fromage de Chaource… Even though the region has an abundance of prestigious delicacies, it is above all known for its champagne. A bottle of this wine is opened somewhere in the world every 2 seconds.
Events and festivals
Festival of puppetry
Every two years, Charleville-Mézières metamorphoses into the capital of the art of puppets and hosts its world festival. The ten day festival brings together more than 150,000 visitors.
The France.fr selection
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Factsheet
The wines of Champagne
Champagne… A prestigious name, that of a region with an unusual past and ... sublime wines that sparkle before the eyes and on the palate, the essential guests of festivals and special occasions!
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Factsheet
Reims: Cathedral of Notre-Dame
Reims, known as the "city of coronations" or "city of ... kings", houses four buildings listed as Unesco world heritage sites since 1991.
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Biography
Louis XIV (1638-1715)
The reign of the Sun King was the longest in the history of the French monarchy. ... Establishing a system of absolute monarchical rule, Louis XIV announced to his ministers that he intended to govern the country alone. He would instead rely on men in which he had great trust, like Colbert.
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Factsheet
Coarse Grained Pork Sausage
The “Andouillette de Troyes” is a dish much loved by fans of cooked pork ... meats, and is the pride and joy of the Champagne Ardenne region.
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Factsheet
Wines and labels
Nearly 2000 years' worth of history and an extraordinary combination of ... landscapes, expertise and soils... French vineyards fill rich and complex wine lists, and here are some of the key varieties.
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Article
France, land of champagne
In the 17th century, when it was invented by an ingenious monk, only the ... greatest noble families were privileged enough to drink champagne. Today a synonym for festivities and great occasions of celebration, champagne is a luxury, but also an accessible product, whose worldwide renown is a credit to the "Made in France" label.
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Animation
The most beautiful villages of France
Created in 1982, the Plus Beaux Villages de France association brings together ... rural villages in the country that have been officially recognised as having the most outstanding architectural and natural heritage.
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Factsheet
Victory of the 8th of May 1945
This day marks the anniversary of the end of Second World War in Western Europe. ... On the 8th of May 1945, in Berlin, the High Command of the Third Reich's German army signed an unconditional act of surrender.
