ONLY 30 TO 45 MINUTES AWAY FROM PARIS BY TRAIN!
Terroir, History, Gastronomy and Cycling are the four words to remember for our Pedals and Bubbles cycling tour.
The Champagne region is characterized by its numerous traditional Champagne villages. They are absolutely full of charm, surrounded by a beautiful countryside on which mostly lies hectares and hectares of vineyards held by small producers. But this is just a teaser.
There is so much more to learn!
Terroir
A bird’s-eye view of the Champagne Terroir
Terroir, the French seem to love that word!
Just a question to put you on the right tracks: can you believe that the totality of Champagne in the whole wide world is made here in the Champagne Region?
Climate, Soil Type and Geo morphology are the essential environmental factors that influence and shape the wine.
Throughout the Pedals and Bubbles tour we’ll go through as much detail as we can to experience the Champagne terroir characteristics.
Reims
Reims is the capital city of the Champagne Region.
It is mostly famous in France for its renowned Cathedral and for hosting big Champagne houses such as Veuve Cliquot or Mumm ! But there is a lot more to it ! It is a modern and booming city.
Epernay
Epernay is the second most famous city of Champagne, its underground cellars secretly hide hundreds of kilometers of Champagne bottles.
History
Live like a Champenois through fascinating historical and cultural visits. The Cathedral of Reims, the Art Deco architecture and the traces left from WWI are the most spectacular themes amongst others that we will relive, study and discuss together.
From Roman Empire to Coronation Times
Did you know that all the kings and queens of France starting by Clovis I in 496 were crowned in the Cathedral of Reims, capital city of Champagne? This is why it is named by the French as “La Cité des Sacres” (“The Coronation City”). Not to forget also that Reims was built by the Gauls during the Roman Empire. The city’s underground foundations and the Porte de Mars (Arc de Triumph of Reims) from the 3rd and 4th Century are still there to remind us !
WWI
Because of it’s geographical position close to the Belgium, Luxembourg and of course Germain border, the region was a place of many battles with implied collateral damages. A lot of traces from that time are still visible today in villages and in Reims.
Art Deco
Because 80% of Reims was destroyed by the Germains during WWI, the city was totally rebuilt partly thanks to a enormous American financial contribution. If the Cathedral was rebuilt identically, the other most fascinating buildings gave birth to Reims’s Art Deco style. Public places such as libraries, cinemas, market halls but also financial buildings and monuments reflect a strong, original and rich images which perfectly matches with the Champagne and Gastronomic standards of the region.
Cuisine
If you come to Champagne with Pedals and Bubbles, we encourage you to use your taste buds. First the food : quality, local and traditional! Then the drinks: not just drinking! Learning about the Champagne production process.
Every night the restaurants we go to are just a delight after another. They are all so good that you would’t know which one to pick as your favorite !
Typically French Picnics
Markets in France have all the local, fresh and seasonable food you could think of to improvise the perfect picnics. Local specialties, fruit, vegetables, cheese, charcuterie… Une bonne baguette et un bon fromage what else?!
Wine Tasting
In Champagne, drinking Champagne isn’t reserved for big occasions. On the contrary, it’s an everyday pleasure. Getting to share this passion and know how with the locals is a fascinating adventure.
Cycling
You will travel everyday from village to village, restaurant to restaurant, hotel to hotel! We take care of everything, all you have to do is pedal (and bubble) !
Live the cycling adventure of your life!
