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Champagne Beaumont des Crayeres is located in the heart of the Champagne country near Epernay. This 200-member cooperative of growers, established in 1955, produces 40,000 cases from 80 hectares of vineyards predominately located in Vauciennes, Cumières, Verneuil and Mardeuil. The cooperative is unusual in that the size of its average member¹s vineyard is just 1 acres, thereby ensuring strict control over the maturity of the grapes. Jean-Paul Bertus, known as one of the best chefs de caves in Champagne, makes the wines. Annual production is about 30,000 cases.
I can highly recommend their champagne. The tour and explanation of how Champagne is made was excellent. We arrived late in the afternoon when they were actually closed but they still took us round on a private tour for no charge at all. Bottles of champagne were opened specially for us to taste which ended off the day beautifully. Highly highly recommended. Leave a Comment
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 by paradisedreamerLeave a Comment
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 The little grapes. . . future
enchantment by kokoryko, 4 more photos
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It is easy and fast to reach Reims and Epernay by the A4/E50 highway, but the small roads offer so much to see and discover: little villages, small Roman churches, fields and wineyards, the real Champagne; driving on the “Route Touristique du Champagne” through villages of wine growers and the “Parc Naturel Régional de la Montagne de Reims” is a very rewarding trip, in all senses.
You may leave the highway at junction 18 and drive to La Ferté sous Jouarre, declared world capital of millstone (!!!) (Picture 2) and then follow the Marne valley towards Chateau Thierry. At Fossoy (Picture3), on D1003, after having passed Chateau Thierry you are already on the “Road of Champagne”, before entering the Champagne Ardennes administrative boundary.
Then, follow the signs, look at the map, wander. . . . look at the landscapes, villages. . . . discover the vineyards (Pictures 4 and 5). Even with heavy, low, dark clouds it has a certain charm, so with fine weather it is certainly beautiful!
%L[http://www.tourisme-en-
champagne.com/route_touristique_du_champagne/1,0,carte_des_itineraires.htm]Link
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Low clouds, fog raising from the valley after the shower, dark green ambience; rugged landscape, quiet rivers meandering in deep narrow valleys, the song of the birds, the whisper of the wind in the leaves, beautiful Ardennes Forest, as far as the view can reach, beautiful landscapes (fifth picture). If you like quietude, silence, walking under the trees, spot small villages from a cliff, there is the place! I was in the area long time ago, I re-discovered with new eyes! The Ardennes Forest is just beautiful, no other words! I did not walk a lot this time, but be sure I will come back for a few hikes. This forest is also well known for its mushrooms, so, in autumn, with the colours, I will enjoy a lot. Here are a few websites describing or giving information about hikes in the Ardennes:
http://ardennesrandos.free.fr/tourisme/chemins.htm
http://ardennes.ifrance.com/r /> http://ot.ardennerivesdemeuse.com/randonneepedestre.php
Look at these, purchase detailed maps and make your own itinerary!
And there is not only the Forest, there are rivers like the Semoy (pictures 2 and 3), and fishing is possible (check at the local “office du Tourisme for seasons and locations).
Walk under the leaves (picture4), and after a few kilometres, arriving on the top of a hill, between the trees, discover the next valley (main picture), the special light of stormy weather, the dark blue sky.
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 Travellers Camp in the Valley by freya_heaven
There were many inpromptu Traveller/Gypsy camps on the side of the road and any spare wasteland. Back breaking work as no machinery can be used, but it must be worth their while to come here.
http://au.franceguide.com/magazine/article.asp?z1=mZXOXORR&idc=13588 Leave a Comment
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 One of the Many Champagne
Houses by freya_heaven
There are sign posts all along the routes to keep you on the right roads. Even the smallest of hamlets seem to have somewhere selling champagne. Leave a Comment
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 by MiqueLeave a Comment
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Make sure to make appointments in advance to visit the small (non-commercial brands) champagne houses. You can usually call on the same day, but to avoid disappointment, call the day before. Have fun! Leave a Comment
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 Map by aliante1981
Champagne-Ardenne is a historical region of France, situated on the French border with Belgium and Luxembourg. As well as close to the fellow French departments of Lorraine, Burgundy, Picardy, and some others. Just where that is you can see on the map next to the tip, with Champagne-Ardenne coloured in red.
Reims, somewhere mid-way between Paris and Belgium, of course, dominates the region of Champagne-Ardenne by its size, cultural and historical importance, as well as immense artistic and architectural heritage. But - it’s not the capital! Leave a Comment
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