Champagne-Ardenne
The Champagne-Ardenne, of which the name is associated to one of the most famous French drinks, always imitated, ever equalized, the champagne, is known to have been the "cradle" of the French royalty. Clovis was indeed baptized in Rheims and inaugurated a long tradition of sacring in this city. Do not hesitate besides to visit there the cathedral or the palate of Thau, two buildings with the sumptuous majesty, classified with the world inheritance by Unesco. During your stroll in this superb part of France, you will also discover a superbly preserved Romanesque architecture and multiple strengthened castles, a soft and generous nature which will allowed you some cultural, sporting or greedy walk of course. But if Champagne-Ardenne is the cradle of champagne, it is also as in many other French areas, a place where people like the art of the table and the love of the products of the soil...
Have a lunch at the table of one of the many and excellent restaurants and taste above all to the delicious local pork-butcheries: the ham of Rheims made with shoulder of pig seasoned with champagne, ham nuts of the Ardennes or feet of pig of Sainte-Menehould, returned in butter with a chive and garlic mince, then slightly breaded... In Rethel, you will not miss the roll white, cooked in Richelieu, in crust with truffle. In Troyes, impossible to circumvent an Andouillette that you will never forget. For more sweetened pleasures we advise you the gingerbread of the Reims area or the pink biscuits, accompanied by a glass of Champagne... In addition to this noble wine, the area produces also excellent wines like Bouzy, the Rose des Riceys, wine of race with a full bouquet and the exquisite taste, or the wines of Coiffy. The area also produces delicious cheeses like Chaource, the ashy of Argonne and Riceys or the Langres in the Haute-Marne. Let us finish this greedy review with Ratafia, fine champagne and the famous Marc of Champagne... To drink with moderation, of course, but with the unbelievable taste.
