Champagne
Uncover the secret Champagne…..
For that special occasion, or just some relaxing time away in this lovely part of the Champagne region, (not forgetting the chance to pick up a few bottles at great prices of course) a short break in one of our selected hotels is just what you need. With plenty of vineyards, open countryside and towns packed with history, this region provides the perfect setting for a romantic holiday, and sampling some of the fabulous bubbly along the way is sure to help you unwind and enjoy your Champagne short break.
We’ve chosen these hotels so you can explore what many consider to be the less well known and stunning area of Champagne – the Aube region, which surrounds the medieval town of Troyes. This has been called by many ‘secret champagne’, full of undiscovered charm and romance.
Troyes was once the capital of Champagne – it is full of medieval half-timbered and Gothic buildings and has a pretty old town, where there is plenty to see and do, with a busy market, museums, and narrow streets you will want to wander down and explore.
“An artist’s village in Champagne” Early in 2011, “Du Coté des Renoir” opened to the public – dedicated to the life of Renoir in the small town of Essoyes, this new centre turns the town into an artist’s village where you are welcomed into the world of painter Pierre-Auguste Renoir (1841-1919). This includes ‘espace Renoir’, a permanent exhibition of Renoir’s domestic life, followed by the “discovery tour” of the village reaching its conclusion in the impressionist garden and studio of the master himself – a must for all art lovers out there!
Following the tour you can complete your Renoir discovery by taking one of four hiking trails, from which you can take in the landscapes that inspired many of Renoir’s paintings. Concluding this pilgrimage brings you to the cemetery of Essoyes, where Renoir and his family are buried. You can find more information about this fabulous attraction by visiting www.renoir-aube-champagne.com
We think these hotels offer some great options for comfortable places to stay as part of a short break to the Champagne region – you can also visit some of the less well know Champagne cellars and try (maybe buy) some top quality champagne at reasonable prices. There’s plenty to uncover here – the ancient feudal town of Chaumont and its castle or perhaps the cheese town of Langres, which is surrounded by some impressive medieval ramparts.
So what’s stopping you? Take one of our Champagne hotel short breaks and immerse yourself in this undiscovered region for a few days.