Champagne-Ardenne

Charles de Gaulle was a controversial figure who made a significant impact on French and European history in the 20th Century until his death in 1970. Outspoken, obstinate, proud and vain he embodied many aspects of the French character, but he gave the French a noble alternative to General Petain and Vichy France during the war, shaped much of modern France after the war and blocked Britain’s initial attempt to join the European Community. It is interesting to speculate how our relationship with Europe may have developed differently had he not vetoed our application – viewed here then as both humiliating and ungrateful!

His haughty profile and impressive height and bulk made him unmistakeable. He was passionate about France and was revered by many (but no means all Frenchmen)

His home and memorial is at Colombey-les-Deux-Eglises (52 Haute-Marne, Champagne-Ardennes) where a huge Cross of Lorraine dominates the landscape. There is now a new memorial exhibition which documents his life and events:

the new Memorial at Colombey-les-deux églises focuses on the unusual personality of General de Gaulle and looks at his work through the unusual prism of his attachment to the countryside of Colombey-les-deux-églises.
The Memorial uses its modern architecture and innovative scenography to look back on the outstanding events marking not only the General’s life, but also France and the world in the 20th century.

The visit is accessible to all and can be read at different levels: the visit incorporates giant and interactive screens, reconstituted décors, texts, archives…

Situated about 10 miles east of  Bar-sur-Aube in the southern Aube Champagne producing area, it is well worth a visit – great views over the local countryside and a visit to the exhibits may help to better understand the French!!?

www.memorial-charlesdegaulle.fr

The route for the 2010 version of the Tour de France has been announced. The race starts in Rotterdam on 3 July 2010 and after a few days in Holland and Belgium the route takes in Champagne and Burgundy before heading for the Alps. Then southwest through the Côtes du Rhone before skirting the southern edge of the Massif Central, down through Languedoc-Roussillon before several gruelling days on the Pyrenees. One of the highlights will be on Saturday 24 July 2010 when there is an individual time trial from Place des Quinconces in Bordeaux up to Pauillac along the Route des Chateaux. In racing terms this is an important day as its is the penultimate day after 3 weeks on the road immediately before the Grand Finish in Paris on the Sunday 25 July 2010

From a spectator point of view it promises a good day out in the Medoc – as although you miss the momentary flash of 100+ professional cyclists zooming past, you get to see ech rider individually and can make a whole day of it with the race taking 2 hours or so to pass.

For more info see www.letour.fr

The 12th RALLYE MONTE-CARLO HISTORIQUE will be held from 29 January to 4 February 2009.

There are numerous starting points ranging from Oslo to Barcelona and Turin. finally coming together for the last section down across the Alps to Monte Carlo. Strasbourg, Reims, Perpignan, Narbonne, Beaune and Avignon are all on one of the various routes which the classic cars will pass through – the cars all being models which participated in the Monte Carlo Rally proper between 1955 and 1980.

Over 120 cars will leave the Cathedral Square in Reims on the evening of Friday 30 January 2009.

For more info see www.acm.mc

For Reims see www.reims-tourism.com/

Featured at the France Show was a fascinating display of images sponsored by the London College of Communication – University of the Arts London and Maison de la France representing the 22 French cities – which encouraged young photographers from the UK to take photos of French cities from a different perspective.

In April 2008, 22 students from the Photographic department were welcomed each in one of the 22 participating cities. The participants ranged in age between 20 and 35 years old, as well as originating from 15 different countries. Each student was given an “emotional passport” to express their own talent and sense and to capture the daily life of France. Their only requirement: let the dreams and emotions of the people and places be the guide!

The venues include Aix-en-Provence, Amiens, Angers, Avignon, Bordeaux, Dijon, Grenoble, Le Havre, Lille, Marseille, Metz, Montpellier, Mulhouse, Nancy, Nantes, Nice, Nimes, Reims. Rennes, Rouen, Toulouse and Versailles.

For more info see www.franceemotion.com/

Reims (Marne, Champagne)  is famous for Champagne, its Cathedral and its Christmas market.

A weekend here between 21 Nov and 28 Dec 2008 will offer an opportunity to indulge in all three.

During the run-up to Christmas, Reims’ Christmas Village combines street entertainment, magicians, carol singers and market stalls selling Christmas gifts, decorations and food.

110 wooden huts form the Christmas Market inPlace d’Erlon and along the rue Condorcet and rue Théodore Dubois. There will be numerous events held each weekend including parades, as well as orchestra and brass band concerts. You can also listen to live jazz performed every Wednesday and Friday afternoon. There will be a special visit with St. Nicolas on the 6 December, but Father Christmas welcomes the children every day in his chalet. For more information, visit the Reims tourist office website at www.reims-tourisme.com.

The town of Laon (02 Aisne, Picardie) is always an impressive sight, situated on the rocky promontory overlooking the plains of Picardy and Champagne, with the 12th Century Cathedral of Notre Dame as its focal point – a landmark on the otherwise rather uninspiring autoroute A26 from Calais to Reims.

View of Laon in Picardie

The town holds its Christmas Market (Marché de Noel) in the streets around the medieval Cathedral on 6, 7 and 10 Decembre 2008.

St Quentin (02 Aisne, Picardie) further north up the A26 autoroute holds its Christmas Market rather later – from 22 December 2008 to 4 January 2009 around the rather flamboyant gothic Hotel de Ville – and in addition offers a skating rink and a nordic skiing course with real snow!!

For more info on Laon see Office de Tourisme du Pays de Laon

For more info on St Quentin see Office de Tourisme de St Quentin