23 Nov 2016
A visit to the Champagne and Ardenne regions of France is less than 3 hours by car from northern ports or around 45 minutes by train from Paris. A Christmas visit is an excellent opportunity to stock up on exquisite regional produce and great value champagne and wines from local producers, not to mention a chance to kick back at cosy inns and bars and enjoy some of the stunning villages and landscapes of the region.
Reims hosts one of the largest Christmas markets in France with more than a million visitors who come to enjoy the lights & illuminations around the champagne capital. This year the main market will be set against the spectacular backdrop of the UNESCO listed gothic Cathedral. The courtyard of the neighbouring Palais du Tau will host an artisanal village of specialist jewellers, glassmakers, potters and other artists, as well as special interactive children's activities, Father Christmas' grotto, and a beautiful Italian Crib scene. More than 140 traditional 'chalet' stalls will boast a wide range of gourmet products, arts and crafts and festive gift ideas. Other highlights of the city's festive programme include a 42 metre Giant Wheel on the Forum square, offering a unique view of the town city and Cathedral, concerts, street music and performances, exhibitions and events at various locations around the centre of the city. Reims 13th Century Cathedral is one of 3 UNESCO sites in the city and will also offer visitors the extraordinary, award-winning sound and light show “Reve de couleurs” ('Dream in Colour'), specially created for its 800th anniversary.
The Christmas market is open daily from 23 November to 24 December 10-30 –8pm (Friday, 9pm Saturday and Mondays 2 – 8pm). The Cathedral light show runs at 6pm and 9pm Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays only until 16 December then daily thereafter until 8 January. See www.reims.fr for more information.
Christmas comes early to Epernay with its 17th annual Light Parade spectacular on the weekend of 9, 10 + 11 December . For three days Epernay celebrates its culinary art and cultural heritage with an action-packed events programme mostly based along the elegant Avenue de Champagne (artistic performances, champagne bars, fireworks), culinary experiences with tastings, demonstrations and food offerings form renowned regional chefs, a sound & light show and an impressive vintage car parade with a grand firework finale. The grand champagne houses and local wine producers host pop up champagne bars in a festive, musical atmosphere that is one of the best festive events of the season.
See http://habitsdelumiere.epernay.fr/en/habits-de-lumiere/three-days-festivities for more details & timings.
The charming town of Châlons-en-Champagne opens its Christmas market 2 – 24 December with forty festive chalets in the main town square and a sparkling programme of concerts, light shows, and special events, including a Tintin Exhibition at the Town Hall 17 – 18 December and a magical lightshow to accompany canal boat rides around the town that is named the Venice of the North. The
Métamorph'EAU'ses light show runs on Fridays & Saturdays from 17.30 (except 24 & 31 December)
See http://www.chalons-tourisme.com/decouvrir/les-incontournables/metamorpheauses/ for more details.
The historic city of Troyes is launching a creative new advent calendar. Based on the original German tradition of advent calendars providing a festive daily image for children, the town hall façade will be transformed into a giant calendar video projection at 15.30 daily 1 – 31 December. Visitors can help Santa solve the Christmas puzzle too and there are also concerts, exhibitions and films to enjoy.
In Charleville-Mézières in the Ardenne region, the historic setting of the Place Ducale is illuminated with a traditional Christmas market with chalet stalls offering gourmet treats, regional produce, festive fare, and arts & crafts with music and street performances 3 – 31 December. Many of the surrounding villages have Christmas markets and events too.
See www.champagne-ardenne-tourism.co.uk for more information on the region, short break suggestions and activities.
ENDS
For more information contact cathryn@douggoodmanpr.com tel: 0208 614 1448
