Page 30 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - France

DISCOVER France Itineraries 2

1
8 DAYS

in the Wine Country 3

Day 1 Day 3
Start your tour in the centre of Reims Pick up a croissant from a boulangerie,
at Cathédrale Notre-Dame (p208), where then drive an hour west through Auxerre
30 French kings were crowned over eight (p322), which bears the scars of 20th-
centuries. Swing past the Art Deco Café century wars. Continue west to Orléans
du Palais (p215) for a coffee and pastry (p308), the city Joan of Arc was famous for
under its inspiring stained-glass ceiling, liberating. In the old quarter, head to Les
then drive south through Montagne de Becs à Vin (www.becsavins.com) to enjoy a
Reims Natural Regional Park to Épernay dinner of rillons (slow-cooked pork belly)
(p210), self-proclaimed capital of fizz. with a glass of expertly paired wine. A
Pop into La Cave à Champagne (p215) 15-minute walk past the statue of Joan of
for simple Champenoise dishes and Arc in place du Martroi takes you to Hôtel
locally produced champagnes. de l’Abeille (p305) and bed.

Day 2 Day 4
After a quick breakfast, get on the road Fuel up on pastries and freshly squeezed
for Troyes. Stop for a petit pause at Chez orange juice in the hotel’s art-filled dining
Gus (29 rue Molé) and a wander through room, then drive 45 minutes southwest to
the city’s quaint half-timbered centre. the magnificent Château de Chambord
By the late morning, you will have arrived (p294) for a glimpse of castle life (be sure
in the lovely hilltop village of Vézelay to walk up the magni ficent double-helix
(p318). Check into SY La Terrasse hotel staircase to the roof). Enjoy lunch at a
(www.vezelay-laterrasse.com) and ask for a café overlooking the village square a
room overlooking the imposing Basilique short walk from the château, then clear
Ste-Madeleine. Come evening, head back the cobwebs with a walk through the
to the hotel’s restaurant for a home- grounds. Stay on the estate overnight in
cooked dinner made with local produce. a self-catering gîtes (www.chambord.org).
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