Photos galore

We are back from our second holiday to France - I've definitely been spoilt this year.We decided to go to the Champagne region but stayed in travel hotels as we planned to spend most of the time out and about.

Instead of the Eurotunnel we took the ferry and what a sail.The weather was beautiful and we sat on deck the whole way, watching the white cliffs disappear and Calais beach arrive.

Calais beach as we arrived on the ferry

We love staying overnight in the B&B Hotel Cocquelles and having a Flunch meal in Auchan - so we did ! I had paella and you could have as much as you wanted, lovely :)

Sunday we had a 250 mile drive to Epernay in the Champagne region, we did stop on the way for a coffee at Laon but didn't stay out the car for long as the temperature was 38.5C so hot.

View from Laon Notre Dame across
the land we'd just travelled

We travelled a way further and stopped for a picnic at the roads side - we used to smile at 'old folk' doing that, now we do it LOL

Picnic in the vines

Epernay was shrouded in a heat haze but it was lovely to arrive and find our travel hotel Premiere Classe.

Epernay

We had a lovely 4 nights/days - we visited three champagne houses, ate at some wonderful restaurants, travelled through some beautiful countryside, learnt a lot about champagne and grape vines, saw a windmill, went up a lighthouse and rode on a petit train.

The highlight for me was visiting our favourite champagne house Nicolas Feuillatte. We were the only people on the tour ( August is the vine growers holiday so everywhere was open but very quiet).The tour was the best of the three we went on, our guide was lovely. We bought quite a few gifts in the shop and she gave me a book about the company as a gift. I had looked at it but it was 30 euro so didn't buy it.

Here's a few pictures about all our visits.


Castellane Champagne caves

Mercier barrel taken to Paris by 24 oxen
in 1900 - it took 8 days

Mercier Champagne

Outside Moet & Chandon - we didn't visit
their caves as it's not a favourite fizz

Nicolas Feuillatte - our favourite - big bottle please

Resting in the Garden of Vines

Nick in his Nicolas Feuillatte cap
- one of our purchases

Mumm windmill - they do all their corporate
entertaining here - my invite is on it's way :)

Lighthouse in the middle of the vines

At the top of the Lighthouse -
Reims is in the background

Reims Petit Train - I do love these

Reims Notre Dame

We had a fantastic time - and stayed another night in Calais with Flunch having mussels on their eat as much as you like offer - perfect ending :)

We do love France and will be visiting next summer, probably Etaples again, and I'm sure a weekend before then. I hope you enjoyed our photos - it's an area I would recommend and it doesn't have to cost a fortune, unlike some of the bottles a of fizz!!