Reims, Champagne région 08.05

Cheers! A delicious glass of Pommery champagne to taste. Yum. 
Here I am in the Champagne area of France. Reims. First visit and also a chance to catch up with my old mate, Pam, from way back when I worked in Wengen in my early twenties! 
just down the road from our little Appartment is this old theatre, beautifully restored and now an upmarket clothing store.
First stop was the majestic Notre Dame cathedral, built between 11-13 centuries, badly damaged in WW1 and now being repaired due to recent ongoing damage from pollution and weather. Like Christchurch Cathedral, this one is also draped in protective plastic!  They are lucky because Rockerfeller and many overseas beneficiaries have assisted with finance.
Some of the gargoyles are particularly terrifying.
inside, the stained class windows are simply breathtaking. The one I loved especially was behind this small chapel dedicated to Joan of Arc. What a brave young lady she was.
Our bus trip of the city was very informative. It's hard to imagine a city of 110,000 being reduced to 1500 after WWI, and that there were only 60 homes remaining intact. 
The highlight of the afternoon, after a fantastic three-course meal, was a visit to Pommery cellars. It was a really fabulous place to visit, with the tour starting with 116 steps down into the Caves. I can't imagine going down them by candlelight! This vineyard was the first to make champagne and is one of the largest producers here.
The thirty - fifty metre deep chalk  pits were incredible. I felt giddy looking up to the narrow hole in the roof. 
there is a maze of cellars here, all linked and with many chalk pits full of fascinating exhibits.
A bubble bath! 
Sadly no room in the case for this!

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