Reims, France was home to 4th stage of the Tour de France. EF bought a bike team a few years ago and now for Tour de France you can be picked to join and be a VIP spectator at each stage–very cool work perk! A good friend/coworker was picked to attend so I thought, I’ll go see her the day after her VIP day…no I was not picked. Living in Switzerland it feels like France is really close because it is, but not always easy and quick to get to each city by train. Example here: five train rides and four and half hours later I arrived in Reims.
Reims is a charming walk-able little city. With the Notre Dame Cathedral that is a stunning city center to the squares surrounded by brasseries. It is also know for champagne. Reims is home to a few of the largest Champagne houses such as Veuxe Cliquot, Moët et Chandon , and Lanson.
I was able to catch a glimpse of the race, as you can see in my slomo video, that is literally all I saw. Watching the race is funny because they just zoom by and its over. But it was a great experience and to see all the locals get so excited to see and support the riders is what the experience is about. I also fan girl very hard when I see the EF jersey, so I enjoyed seeing them zoom by. The rest of the day was spent drinking champagne, eating cheese, wandering the city and then a visit to Lanson House. During the tour we learned about making champagne, grand cru, and walked in the moldy cellars. We got to taste three different champagnes and let me tell you they were heavenly.
The evening was finished at Le Foch. Shanna and I split two different tasting menus and talked the night away. The last two people at the restaurant, our favorite people to be.
I don’t want to read your post, what should I know?
- Go to Reims France!
- Drink all the champagne
- Do a cellar tour! Book ahead so you can pick the house you want.
- Go to a stage of the Tour de France to support the riders!
