Epernay to Chateau-Thierry,(and Paris) via Chatillon-sur-Marne, on the River Marne.

 

All these vines just growing in their back gardens,… what a man could do with all that!!

We left Epernay on the River Marne on our way towards Paris. After having locks every few kms, we now only have 18 locks in 180kms. easy huh!!!

Some lovely wrought iron scenes of the grape harvest and champagne making just on the edge of the river, taken as we motored past Cumieres.

Max on this trip seems to have lost so far about 10 kgs in weight but unfortunately he seems to have given some to me, so off we go on our bicycles to help solve that.

4kms up on the hill from Port de Binson where we moored for the night is Chatillon sur Marne and a 33m high statue dedicated to the First Pope in 1088-1099, Urban ll,  He organised the first Crusade and the taking of Jeruselam in 1099. Erected in 1887, using 80 granite blocks brought from Brittany by oxen-cart.

 

 

Finally arrived at the top, and of course the thirst needed quenching…..

We left Port a Binson and stayed the next night in Chateau Thierry. We only passed 3 boats in 35 kms….is there something we don’t know about going on in the world  !!!!!!! Haven’t seen a newspaper for 3 months.

Some times we could see vineyards, other times we could have been on the amazon as we were just surrounded by trees and woodland.

Tues 31st… Its Max’s birthday and I tired to celebrate it yesterday as I had my days all wrong.. he was nearly lucky twice!!.

We have now got surprise visitors in Bart and Lia who will come from Brussels and stay for a week or so, then Bill and Min from Oostvoorne who will visit us for a few days just before Yasmin arrives from England on the 18th August…its all really good and lots of drinking buddies for Max.  Then we expect Rich and Dianna from Riddell rd at the end of August……never a dull moment for Kiwi Rose.  Get your bookings in for next year !!

We are getting a bit nervous now, reading the maps each night as we shall arrive in the centre of Paris in 3-5 days and stay in the Port de Paris l”Arsenal, ( Canal Saint Martin)which is right in the centre by the Place de la Bastille. Only 28 euros a night….cheap for first class accommodation in the centre of Paris.

If you pass your cursor over the photos we have tried to label them.

Reims to Epernay ( Champagne )

Arrive back from Oostvoorne to find we are now parked  NOT by a road , but the road has been turned into a summer street festival for families, running for 10 days. ( luckily closing at 8pm)
We are a little concerned about the pedillo boats on the river but luckily they seem to all go the other way up the canal.


21st July  Picked up Don and Elaine from the Gare ( Train Station ) and back at the boat introduced them to a street party alongside the moorings then a few drinks and showed them the light show on the Cathedral at 11PM. … Stunning once again.
22nd July.. Cycled to visit The Pommery Champagne House and had a tour and tasting.  


24th July. Set off for Epernay, ( The centre of Champagne district). and introduced Don and Elaine to the locks. A doddle. The weather at the moment is hot and cloudless. The scenery is green and serene, with distant hills covered with vineyards but just too far away to photograph. Only did 10k today and moored in Sillery which is yet another quaint French village. As it is Monday everything is closed. Had dinner on boat and enjoyed a beautiful night.

25th July Off again and in front of us is The Billy-le-grand tunnell, just  2.302m long but this time it is well lit. We are only 4 M wide and the tunnel is 5M wide. After 40min of shear concentration, ( not sure I breathed too much during the whole time )  and excellent boat handelling we emerged into brilliant sunshine. Time to stop and pull over for a well deserved lunch. Hands still shaking and would like a siesta but off again through another 8 locks and moored at Conde-sur-Marne. This is where we change Canals and enter the Canal Lateral a la Marne. Another hot evening in the sun under a tree with the chairs and of course wine.





Conde-sue-Marne..We all got up early on 26th and cycled into town for bread. But somehow couldn’t find bread but found a small champagne house OPEN. Samples a few glasses (pre-breakfast)and of course bought a bottle. Then eventually found bread for breakfast.


Off to Mareuil-sur Ay, and it was such a hot day, 30 ‘ in the shade that all we wanted was cool  shade and a light breeze… so found lovely spot, moored, and we slept all afternoon in chairs under the trees. Then at 5pm the obiligitary wine and cheese before dinner. ( with an excellent beaujolais bought by Don) . Which we have now learnt best served chilled

FINALLY reaching EPERNAY.!!
Elaine cycling ahead of us for exercise on our way.


Entering the region of Epernay and finally just surrounded by vineyards on all the hills- the Champagne grapes…yum yum.

Epernay is in a region of the Champagne district, where the hills are called The Cotes des Blancs owing to the Chardonnay vines that thrive in the limestone and chalk soil here facing due east. The home of Moet et Chandon and Mercier.
They only use Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier grapes from the area to make the champagne and still most is hand picked to ensure only the best are used. There are over 1000 champagne houses in the total area,(awsome eh!) some that own their own vines or they buy from one of the 49 groups of villages in the area..
Some houses leave their basic brut for 4-6 years in the chalk caves,and the special champagnes for up to 7-10 years. Millions are sold each year and in between there are several hundred million bottles ripening in the 120kms or more of tunnels under the region, where the ambient temp is 12-14 degrees.
Castellane Champagne House, Epernay. (Free tickts from the Captainaire at the Marina.)
80% sold in France, 10% Belguim and the rest???? Tasted very nice, thankyou.
This house has its own 6km of cellars under the town..out of a total of 100kms!!!!!


Off on our bikes for more discoveries…..
More tasting at Paul-Etienne Saint Germain,…….    and max with his purchase

Some great champagne houses in Epernay.