Climate
The Champagne-Ardenne climate is unforseeable. Usually, winters are cold and clear while summers are dry and warm.
Beautiful cities & places of interest in Champagne
Châlons-en-Champagne
Châlons-en-Champagne has preserved its bourgeois character, with large houses, restored half-timbered houses which exude a particular charm. A cruise on its canals is recommended to discover its old bridges and gardens (Small and Large Garden and English-style garden). Not to be missed: the Saint-Etienne cathedral, a thirteenth century gothic building, Notre-Dame en Vaux church which is a masterpiece of the romanesque-gothic transitory period, its 56 bell carillon as well as the Hotels de la Préfecture, du Département and de Région, the Couvent Ste-Marie and the Prieuré deVinetz.
Charleville-Mezières
Mezières the fortress town and Charleville the new town. The Tour du Roy, Tour Milart, Porte de Bourgogne and a large part of ramparts are all that is left of the fortification of Mezières. Founded in 1606 by Charles de Gonzague, Charleville is a very fine fine example of early seventeenth century town planing.
Epernay
Epernay, capital of Champagne, located in the heart of the vineyards, is an ideal departure for excursions into the Marne Valley and its neighbourhood. The Major Champagne houses offer visitors kilometres of galleries dug into the chalky ground where millions of bottles are stored. To be visited: Avenue de Champagne, Hotel de Ville, l'Orangerie, the Gabrielle Dorziat theatre, the stained glass windows (fourteenth century), Notre-Dame church, the Synagogue.
Langres
The country of Diderot and Jeanne Mance. Langres has kept its belt of ramparts (4 km) and preserved beautiful Renaissance houses. The inner town has 6 gates, including the Porte des Moulins (1647) which is the most remarkable and 7 towers, considered to be masterpieces of military architecture of the late Middle age.
Rocroi
Decided by François I, built under Henry II in 1555, the fortifications of Rocroi have practically kept their original state. Teh planning of the town within the walls is unique in France with its 10 streets converging towards the central well.
Sedan
With its covering 35 000m2 in 7 floors it is the largest and most extensive fortress in Europe. The History of France has been experienced here since 1424 when it was built until May 1940 when the Germans went around the Maginot line.
Troyes
City of arts, the historic capital of Champagne, Troyes now excels in its textile with several factory warehouse stores. A visit is necessary of its "champagne cork" (the town was built in this shape), the pedestrian area with its fine sixteenth century restored half-timbered houses: the Maison du Boulanger, the Tourelle de l'Orfèvre, several churches, enhanced by exceptional stained glass windows, including Sainte-Madeleine church and its sculpted stone partition one of the finest in France and the St-Urbain basilica, a gothic masterpiece.
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