04 Apr 2014
The Champagne-Ardenne region of Northern France has produced a mini press-guide for the media on its World War One Battlefields, (other information is available to the general public on www.champagne-ardenne-tourism.co.uk ), museums & memorials to encourage British visitors to discover some of the less well-known sites during the next four years of the Centenary commemorations.
Napoleon attempted to secure France as the dominant power in Europe. He was defeated at the Battle of Leipzig and retreated to France. The Coalition Armies (Britain, Russia, Prussia, Austria, Sweden and the Germany States) pursued him towards Paris, forcing Napoleon to stand his ground to the east of the capital in Champagne and Brie. This period of battle that took place on French territory between Reims and Troyes, became known as The French Campaign.
It was an area that Napoleon knew well since the young Bonaparte had attended military school at Brienne-le-Château from the age of 10. The school today houses a small museum dedicated to Napoleon and the subsequent battles he fought in the area. The museum will be closed for refurbishment in June 2014 and is due to reopen in the summer of 2015.
After a series of battles in which victory passed from one side to the other, Napoleon was eventually defeated by the Coalition at Arcis-sur-Aube on 20th March 1814. He abdicated at Fontainebleau in April and was exiled to Elba. Less than a year later he escaped and returned to power only to face defeat by the British & Prussian armies led by Wellington at Waterloo on 18th June 1815. This enabled the Coalition forces to enter France and restore Louis XVIII to the throne. Napoleon died in exile at Saint-Helena in 1821.
A programme of events throughout the region follows in the footsteps of the leaders of the armed forces with reconstructed camps and battles, exhibitions and conferences and live entertainment in towns throughout the area, including Châlons-en-Champagne, Reims, Troyes, Montmirail and Brienne-le-Château.
Some of the highlights of the events programme are as follows:
* 5 - 6 April : Napoleonic Festival at Tinqueux, Reims
Bicentenary of the Battle of Reims with camps , bands , conferences, exhibitions, re-enactment and demonstrations of military strategy, parades, light and sound with the voice of Robert Hossein and two re-enactments of the Battle of Reims .
www.tinqueuxfetenapoleon.com
* 17 - 18 May : Napoleonic Festival at Brienne-le -Château
More than 300 re-enactors at an enormous camp, battle re-enactment of the capture of the castle of Brienne , war game demonstrations , parade, children's games, and an evening show outlining the First and Second Empires ( 17 May ) .
www.ot-Brienne-le-chateau.com
http://musee-napoleon-brienne.fr
http://rencontres-napoleoniennes.jimdo.com
* 31 May – 1 June Napoleonic Festival at Montmirail :
31 May – Grand re-enactment of the Battle of Montmirail-Marchais 1814, one of the most important battles of the Campaign. More than 1,000 soldiers & 100 cavalry will take part with rallies, cavalry charges , artillery , field hospital and regimental parades where visitors can experience the daily life at camp of soldiers in the field
1 June - Bicentennial celebration "Campaign of France 1814 " , commemorating 1914 Reconciliation with a giant picnic on the battlefield plus entertainment.
The programme in English for the weekend can be downloaded from the following link:
www.champagne-ardenne-tourism.co.uk/wpFichiers/Documentation/175/Montmirail_Event.pdf
The full programme of commemorative events is available from local tourist offices and can be downloaded from the tourist board's website (in English) at the following link:
A Napoloeonic map with explanations on the various battle sites (in French only) is also available from local tourist offices and on demand from the regional tourist board. The Circuit Napoleon is a 150km tourist trail across 20 key sites linked to the French Campaign.
A 2-night break combining Napoleon and champagne is available at the hotel-restaurant Le Tadorne, a 17th century timbered house at Piney. The break includes admission to the Napoleonic museum in Brienne-le-Château, a tour of a champagne wine cellar with tasting, two dinners (gourmet dining and regional produce - excluding drinks), one champagne aperitif and a free bottle of champagne per couple. Prices from €158 per person.
www.le-tadorne.com/sejour-troyes-foret-orient.html
For more information on the region, including where to stay and other visit suggestions, see www.champagne-ardenne-tourism.co.uk
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Issued on behalf of Champagne-Ardenne Regional Tourist Board.
For further information please contact doug@douggoodmanpr.com
Tel: 0208 614 1448 www.douggoodmantravelpr.com
