Champagne-Ardenne
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Are you thinking of moving to the Champagne-Ardenne region? We hope that the following information will be of help to you but please also use the links where further details can be found.
Where is the Champagne-Ardenne region?
Situated in the north of France the neighbouring regions are Lorraine and Franche-Comté in the east, Burgundy in the south, if you go west you travel into Ile de France or Picardy and northwards into Belgium. The region consists of 4 departments : Ardennes (08), Marne (51), Aube (10) and Haute-Marne (52). The administrative capital is Châlons-en-Champagne, formerly known as Châlons-sur-Marne, but undoubtedly Reims is the city that is on everybody's lips! It conjures up that sparkling, golden liquid, associated with celebrations, energy and life which is much reflected in the city itself.
What is there in Champagne-Ardenne?
Much as the name implies you can go on a champagne trail. In the Marne valley are the vineyards that grow the grapes of which champagne is made. Here Reims has to be the most important city with a fascinating history that dates back to the Roman period. The coronations of many French monarchs took place in the world-famous Cathedral of Our Lady, which was spared during the Revolution. It is an elegant yet buzzing city with a unique atmosphere. Epernay is another place devoted to the production of Champagne.
The Ardenne spreads over an area beyond France into Belgium and Luxembourg. Because of its frontier location in France many fortifications were built here of which the vast castle at Sedan and the fortifications at Rocroi deserve a mention. The forested, dramatic valleys and gorges of the Ardenne - where canoeing and cross country skiing are popular - are quite a contrast to the gently rolling landscape of the Champagne area.
Towards the south of this region you will find lakes, including one of the largest artificial lakes in Europe, the Lac du Der-Chantecoq. The rivers Meuse, Marne, Seine and Aisne flow through the region.
Apart from the Ardenne, where tourism is one of the main industries, more than half of the land is used for agriculture. Textile industry can be found in Troyes – Lacoste's headquarters are here - and Reims and metallurgy around the St Dizier area.
As more and more people move away from the rural areas this region has seen a gradual decline in number of inhabitants and is now one of the least populated regions in France.
Climate of Champagne-Ardenne:
The climate here is not unlike the British climate although the winters can be severe.
Property in Champagne-Ardenne:
This is a region where property is still fairly inexpensive. However, nearer to the two major cities of Paris and Brussels, in Belgium, you will find prices creeping up. With the new TVG link hopefully in service next year, a city like Châlons-en-Champagne can fetch higher prices and the demand for property is high. Word has it that there is a need for rental property in its department so buying to let may be something you may want to investigate further.
Food and wine in Champagne-Ardenne:
Epernay, Reims and Châlons-en-Champagne form what is known as the sacred triangle of Champagne. It is a Champagne lovers paradise and you will find all the big names here. You may want to follow the route touristique du Champagne. Ardenne ham and andouillettes sausages from Troyes deserve a mention as does the fact that the famous cheese Brie comes from this region. The regional signature dish is chicken in Champagne, Coq au Champagne.
Getting to Champagne-Ardenne:
Airports:
Although there is an airport near Reims called Aéoroport International de Vatry this seems to be for cargo only. There is a rumour that it may become the third Parisian airport. Brussels-South Charleroi airport, the 2 airports near Paris (British Airways, Air France, ThomsonFly, easyjet, bmi, bmi baby, Flybe, Skysouth, Jet2) - Charles de Gaulle and d'Orly - and also Strasbourg (Air France) can be used for this region.As always, beware of the low cost airlines, we do not know how long the service will last.
Road network:
The road network is very good. This region is not so far from the Channel so you could take a ferry to Calais, Dunkirk or possibly Dieppe or Le Havre or use the Channel Tunnel. There are three main autoroutes, the A4 , A5 and A26.
Railway network:
You could hop on the Eurostar at Waterloo and change in Paris for Reims. The rail network includes the Paris–Strasbourg line, serving Épernay, Châlons-en-Champagne and Vitry-le-François. Currently under construction is the TGV East – Paris to Strasbourg on to Munich, Vienna, Budapest - which is part of the high-speed TGV French train network. The first phase should be completed by June 2007 which will mean a much faster connection between Paris and Reims with a new train station in Bezannes.
