Champagne-Ardenne - the name evokes sparkling bubbly and the sound of a popping cork. Many will associate the name Dom Perignon, the most famous champagne with it.
Champagne-Ardenne is indeed a historic champagne producing, north east province of France and lies about 160 kilometers from
Paris. In addition to the sparkling bubbly, it produces cereals, maize, wheat, cabbage and sugar beet. Sounds too rural? Don’t you believe it! It has a population of a little over 1.3 million people and is steeped in history. Charlemagne’s son, Louis the Pious was crowned at
Reims. In 1314, the last count of
Champagne-Ardenne was crowned as King Louis X of France, making
Champagne-Ardenne a part of the crown territories.
Champagne-Ardenne’s history is multi faceted due to its location, serving as a historical crossroads for trade and armies marching through it. The name owes its origins to the Romans who referred to it as Campania or “Land of the Plains”. 451 A.D. saw the Huns and Attila being defeated near
Châlons-en-Champagne, by an alliance between the Franks, the Roman Legions and the Visigoths, making this a turning point in the Huns European invasion.
Champagne-Ardenne’s 160 km area comprises Aisne, Aube, Marne, Haute-Marne and Seine-et-Marne.
Troyes is the regions capital, while
Reims and Epernay are its commercial hubs.
The Hundred Years’ War devastated the area due to various battles and the Abbey of Hautvillers and its famous vineyards were destroyed by the Religion Wars between the Catholics and the Huguenots. Then the Thirty Year War and the Fronde Civil together devastated the area, being occupied by mercenaries and soldiers. Finally during Louis XIV reign, around the 1660s, the region settled down to its production of sparkling wine, which continues to make it famous today. The
Champagne-Ardenne houses of
Champagne-Ardenne are all hundreds of years old, from Gosset founded in 1584, the oldest to Ruinart from 1729, Taittinger 1734, Moet et Chandon 1743 and the newest Veuve Clicquot 1772.
To live in the
Champagne-Ardenne area is to be at the heart of all that bubbly action and one is constantly reminded of the beverage everywhere. However, it also has beautiful forests and rugged terrain. Europe’s largest artificial lake, Lac de Der Chatecoq, set among the Ardennes forests is a majestic and delightful tourist attraction, with its wonderful walks, views and boating. Nature calls and delights man with its entire splendor.
Champagne-Ardenne somehow is such a wonderful mix of everything.
The
Champagne-Ardenne area is also a great gastronomical adventure and the food here is as famous as the beverage. Local specialties include a myriad variety of cheeses, sausages, pigs’ trotters, local delicious biscuits, many kinds of wines and ciders and of course its famous champagnes. People here are friendly and nice, the local villages quiet and friendly.
The
Champagne-Ardenne area properties somehow continue to be cheaper compared to similar properties within driving distance from
Paris, whether for a second home or for commuting. This undiscovered real estate is ripe and ready to be plucked. Given its history, it will most certainly make it to top dollar in a few years as people discover its charm and pleasant living.
