Page 50 - (DK Eyewitness) Back Roads Travel Guide - France

48 BACK ROADS FRANCE

the Archbishop’s Palace. Do not miss
the beautiful square, Place Royale,
with the statue of Louis XV by
18th-century sculptor Jean-Baptiste
Pigalle. After complet ing the tour
of Reims Centre, drive down to the
Saint-Remi Quarter, about 2 km
(1 mile) away. From Place du Cardinal
Luçon, take Rue Rockefeller and
immediately turn left into Rue
Chanzy and conti nue straight into
Rue Gambetta. Then turn right into
Rue du Ruisselet and left into Rue
Simon to the Place Saint-Remi to find
free parking next to the Basilique
de Saint-Remi. Another of Reims’
UNESCO World Heritage Sites, the
Saint-Remi Quarter is centred on the
dramatic Romanesque Benedictine
Above Dramatic Basilique de Saint-Remi abbey, the Basilique de Saint-Remi,
Below left Magnificent Cathedralé de Notre- 1 Reims with Gothic art additions built to
Dame in Reims Below right Statue of Louis Marne, Champagne-Ardenne; 51100 house the bishop’s tomb. Alongside
XV at Place Royale, Reims Reims was founded by the Gauls and the basilica is the grand Classical
was a major city during the Roman façade of the Saint-Remi Abbey
Empire. Post-war restoration has Museum, which houses collections
VISITING REIMS
created an elegant city of stately of history and archaeology, from
town squares and eclectic architec- prehistory to the Renaissance.
Tourist Information
2 rue Guillaume de Machault, 51100; ture: from salvaged Gothic marvels ª From the car park by the basilica
08 92 70 13 51; www.reims- to Renaissance-style town houses walk on Rue Saint-Julien; continue
tourisme.com and Art Deco gems. On Place du straight on Rue Jean Aubert and turn
Parking Cardinal Luçon, the 13th-century left to reach Les Crayères.
There are 8,000 parking places Cathédrale de Notre-Dame de Reims
including free open-air parking, and (open daily), a UNESCO World Heritage Caves and Crayères
paid covered car parks and meters. It is Site, is adorned with over 2,300
easy to park within a few minutes’ walk In the 17th century, Champagne
of the historic centre – the cathedral statues, including one known as the Houses were built on top of massive
car park is on Rue des Capucins. Smiling Angel. It was on this site that subterranean chambers which
Clovis, the Frankish king, was were dug into the limestone during
baptized by Saint-Remi, Bishop of the Gallo-Roman era. The crayères –
WHERE TO STAY Reims, in AD 498. His conversion to chalk pits – make perfect storage
Christianity led to Reims becoming conditions for champagne to age
REIMS the place where some 30 French slowly, in the humid, constant
Hotel Azur moderate kings were subse quently crowned. temperatures. They also served as a
This personable non-smoking hotel Next door is the Palais du Tau, once place to hide during World War I.
with garden patio has 18 rooms
including family rooms.
9 rue Ecrevées, 51100; 03 26 47 43 39;
hotelazurreims.free.fr
Hôtel de la Paix expensive
This is an efficient and business-
oriented hotel but still does not
compromise on the luxuries.
9 rue Buirette, 51100; 03 26 40 04 08;
www.bestwestern-lapaix-reims.com
AROUND REIMS
Château de la Muire expensive
The main attraction of the family-run
Château de la Muire is its two-star
Michelin restaurant. The dark-leathered
Le Bar is the icing on the cake.
40 avenue Paul Vaillant-Couturier,
Tinqueux, 51430; 03 26 84 64 64;
www.assiettechampenoise.com