Cars and Cathedrals Tour - Reims

 


Couldn’t miss the Cathedral here, not least, as we had a view of it from our hotel room window at La Caserne Chanzy.





Reception and valet parking staff could not have been better.  We didn’t arrive until around 6pm so pointless really trying to book (which the hotel strongly recommends) for the Brasserie at the hotel, Little Georgette.  We did ask if they had a table but got told no and given the weather wasn’t really conducive to use of their outdoor space (again view of the Cathedral) that was unsurprising.  There wasn’t a table for the second night when we tried to book either.  I suspect we might have got into the main restaurant, La Grande Georgette, on either night (bigger for starters) but after a long day driving we were not quite up to that level of gastronomy and on day 2 we had a champagne tasting booked 6-7pm and I do want to be fully on par if spending to that level on a meal.


We ended up eating at a place called Le Gaullois both evenings as it happened which had the advantage of a corner plot and a large red awning ie it would be difficult to miss but enough french eating there not to be too suspect.   True to habit S had more snails, this time the more traditional garlic butter way without a vol au vent.





The Cathedral stained glass had clearly taken a battering though some remained and there were some more modern additions. 





 

One by Marc Chagall.





The second and largest car museum of the trip filled the afternoon until it was time to go to our champagne tasting - wouldn’t want to be late for that!








The champagne tasting was excellent.  It was a one hour Get your Guide thing I booked so we had done a tasting in Reims.  We’ve done vineyard/cave  tours before, were short on time this trip, wanted to stay in the City and the weather was not forecast to be entirely reliable for the great outdoors.  This turned out to be perfect.  Small champagne house, Caroline Dufour, in the family since 1845 (and apparently supplies the hotel) held in what appeared to be a private house.  Just the two of us, 4 Grand Cru to taste (it was booked for 3 but we are pretty easy to up sell to when interested).  We have come away with 3 bottles of the Blanc de Noirs and 3 of the Rose.  That’s quite a stock of Champagne to have chez nous.  Will have to see what room I can find in the cupboard under the stairs! 



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