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“I drink Champagne when I'm happy and when I'm sad. Sometimes I drink it when I'm alone. When I have company I consider it obligatory. I trifle with it if I'm not hungry and drink it when I am. Otherwise, I never touch it -- unless I'm thirsty.”

- Lily Bollinger, House of Bollinger Champagne

What better place to set our latest campaign titled “A Few of our Favourite French Things” than the Champagne district of France. After all, champagne tops many people’s list as one of life’s great pleasures.

Our Autumn/ Winter campaign was photographed at Château de Fère-en-Tardenois - the site of a 12th Century castle built by the grandchild of King Louis IV. While the site has been transformed and dismantled over the centuries, the ruins of the original medieval castle remain and take centre stage in our campaign.

The Château is located close to the city of Reims located just 90 minutes by train Northwest of Paris. During our journey to this remarkable district, we experienced many sites well worth sharing.

Reims 

At the heart of the Champagne district is Reims - awash with open cellar doors, wonderful historic sites, bustling public squares and vibrant French culture. You can imagine Joan of Arc triumphantly marching through the town in 1429 demanding the Dauphin to be crowned in the Cathedral. Popes held meetings in Reims and Kings of France were coronated here, making Reims a beautiful and fascinating place to visit.

Cathedrale Notre-Dame de Reims

One of Reim’s most iconic monuments is the Cathedrale Notre-Dame de Reims which includes 2303 sculptures and was World Heritage Listed by UNESCO in 1991. The gothic style architecture makes this one of the greatest churches in Europe, visited by over 1 million people every year. On Summer evenings, there is a sound and light show where you can see what the church might have looked like in all it’s colourful medieval glory.

Drink Champagne 

Reims is headquarters to many of the finest champagne houses including Pommery, Ruinart, Verve Clicquot, Tattinger and Mumm. It would be an insult to the people of France not to taste as much champagne as possible while visiting. The top producers offer tours of their cellars, where you can gain insights into traditional manufacturing and of course, taste the merchandise. If you are looking for more boutique champagne experience try Trésors de Champagne  which is located in the city and showcases many smaller producers.

www.boutique-tresors-champagne.com

Other Reims Delights

Biscuit rose De Reims: We suggest you try the local ‘rose biscuits’ which originated in Reims and are dipped into champagne or red wine. Some of the best can be found at Biscuiterie Fossier  where the recipe has remained unchanged since the Renaissance.

http://www.fossier.fr/fr/content/9-visite-de-la-biscuiterie-fossier

Cafe du Palais: This is a fourth generation family cafe established in 1930 featuring Art Deco furniture and hundred of antiques. Look up to see the exquisite Jacques Simon stained glass ceiling and enjoy traditional French favourites.

http://www.cafedupalais.fr

More Michelin: There are three five star Michelin restaurants in Reims plus six others with four and a half stars, so look not further for for haute cuisine. Dining in a Michelin star restaurant is surprisingly affordable compared to fine dining in Australia so perhaps you can sample a few.

https://restaurant.michelin.fr/restaurants/reims

Reims Ham: A local favourite to try simply in salads or in small cubes. The secret is the mushrooms and shallots added to the ham which is then cooked in stock. Champenois chefs use Reims ham in many dishes so you are likely to encounter this delicacy during your visit, and you’ll never guess which drink is its pairing suggestion - champagne.

Bouchons du Champagne: Moulded in the shape of champagne corks, these are delicious dark chocolates filled with Marc de Champagne liqueur. They burst in your mouth when crunched so when eating make sure you protect your new Blue Illusion blouse.