05 Jul 2013
Driving to France this summer? Why not leave the motorway and stop off to explore some of the charming villages and sites in Champagne-Ardenne? Easily accessible by motorway from Calais, you can be in Reims, the capital of Champagne in 2½ hours. There are some excellent places to stay minutes from main routes, but off the beaten track. From grand villas to friendly B&Bs, some are just a stone’s throw from local producers on the Champagne Tourist Route where you can fill your boot with great value wines. Here are some of the best places to stretch your legs or lay your head (heading from north to south through the region):
REIMS
The 19th century Ch'teau de Rilly at Rilly-la-Montagne, is just a few minutes south of Reims and on the Champagne Tourist Route. Newly renovated period rooms, lovely landscaped gardens and a gourmet restaurant. Rooms from €195 and menus from €28. Seasonal packages are available.
8 minutes from exit 23 (Epernay) on the A4 (direction Metz/Troyes) at Rilly-la-Montagne.
Don’t miss an opportunity to explore magnificent Reims Cathedral and see the spectacular sound & light show on summer nights (see www.reims.fr). On the edge of Reims, Hotel Azur is a small, friendly gem in the boho Boulingrin area, just 10 minutes walk from the Cathedral & other attractions. Friendly hosts and rooms from €53.
CHALÔNS-EN- CHAMPAGNE
Aux Armes de Champagne is long-established hotel-restaurant at l'Epine, famous for its basilica. The popular gourmet restaurant specialises in seasonal, local produce and the brasserie offers great value menus too. Nearby Chalôns-en-Champagne has a pretty town centre with half-timbered houses, criss-crossed with rivers where you can take a pleasant boat ride and pick up some provisions for a picnic in the park.
www.aux-armes-de-champagne.com doubles from €105, free parking on site.
10 minutes from exit 28 (St-Etienne-au-Temple) on the A4 (direction Metz/Nancy) at L’Epine.
MATOUGES
The Auberge des Moissons, a family-run 3* hotel with a renowned regional restaurant, offers comfortable rooms in the main building and around a pretty courtyard garden. The new outdoor pool & jacuzzi are perfect for children to let off some steam after being in the car for too long! Seasonal gourmet truffle menus (Sept – Dec but check website for availability), are worth the detour. Double rooms with breakfast from €85 (family duplex from €120), and it’s just 15 minutes from Epernay.
5 minutes from exit 17 (St-Gibrien) on the A26 (direction Troyes) at Matouges.
TROYES
La Villa Primerose is an imposing 19th century villa in Arcis-sur-Aube, between Ch'lons-en-Champagne and Troyes. There are 5 beautifully furnished, spacious rooms in a private walled garden, some with balcony views. Doubles with breakfast from €70 - €115, table d’hôtes dinners from €24 & free parking.
8 minutes from exit 21 on the A26 (direction Troyes) at Arcis-sur-Aube.
Domaine de la Creuse has 5 exquisitely decorated period rooms & suites in the outbuildings of a traditional 18th century timbered building in Moussey. This elegant house is set in gorgeous gardens. Doubles from €100 – €130 with breakfast.
3 minutes from exit 21 on the A5 (south of Troyes, direction Paris) at Moussey.
Explore the nearby mediaeval town of Troyes, boasting some of the finest stained glass windows in Europe. There’s a rich cultural history, cobbled lanes and half-timbered houses, and great value retail outlets on the outskirts, just 7 minutes drive from Domaine de la Creuse.
COLOMBEY-LES-DEUX-EGLISES
A little further off the motorway, but well worth the detour, is the lovely Grange du Relais, a great value hotel on the edge of this picturesque village, home of President Charles de Gaulle. It combines a ‘rustic chic’ restaurant with spacious duplex suites and cosy rooms surrounding a secluded garden & pool. There’s also an attractive terrace for outside dining and a bijou shop area full of old-fashioned treasures. Room rates from €58 - 85, free parking and bikes.
23 minutes from exit 23 (Ville-sous-La-Ferté) on the A5 (direction Chaumont) at Colombey-les-deux-églises.
You can visit De Gaulle’s family house, the iconic Cross de Lorraine, excellent visitors centre chronicling the life and times of De Gaulle and the poignantly simple graves of De Gaulle and his family who played a very active part in this small rural community. Treat yourself to a superb Michelin star lunch at www.hostellerielamontagne.com with menus from €28 - €150.
LANGRES
Le Moulin au Fil de l’Eau is a restored 15th century mill set in 7 hetares of scenic parkland with a pool in the village of Orcevaux near Langres. There are 4 comfortable rooms and a suite from €67 and great value table d’hote dinners from €20.
5 minutes from exit 6 (Langres Sud) on the A31 (direction Dijon) at Orcevaux.
Langres itself has a fascinating historical centre and ramparts overlooking the stunning plains and lakes of the surrounding area, bordering Burgundy. Stop for lunch at Le Cheval Blanc, a renowned local restaurant with rooms in a converted church (Rooms from €80, menus from €15 ) www.hotel-langres.com, or stay at Hotel de la Poste, reputedly the oldest hotel in France, just behind the town square with renovated rooms from €80, paid parking and a small separate pool area. www.hoteldelaposte.info
Happy motoring!
Visit the Champagne-Ardenne tourist board www.champagne-ardenne-tourism.co.uk for more information on the region, downloadable brochures, maps and ideas of what to do and see.
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Issued by Doug Goodman PR Cathryn@douggoodmanpr.com Tel: 0044 208 614 1448. Images available on request.
