Author Topic: France and Netherland (Read 142723 times)

hangchoi · « **Reply #50 on:** 14 April 2016, 22:34:37 »

We spent a lot of time visiting and shopping. Finally we got a restaurant to have a rather decent French dinner.

hangchoi · « **Reply #51 on:** 14 April 2016, 22:41:56 »

The next day we went to Reims by train. The journey took less than an hour. The first place to visit was the Notre Dame Cathedral. This one is a bit like the one in Paris but I found that this one was more down to earth. A bit old, open everyday for shelter for anyone. A lot of France King were crowned in this Cathedral.

hangchoi · « **Reply #52 on:** 14 April 2016, 22:44:06 »

The decoration inside is rather old and simple but it still gives us a solemn and sacred feeling.

hangchoi · « **Reply #53 on:** 14 April 2016, 22:47:18 »

There is a museum next to it. It is called Palais de Tau. It collects the stuff used for crowning the King. The palace is huge and spacious. The walls are decorated with tapestry

hangchoi · « **Reply #54 on:** 14 April 2016, 22:50:16 »

After the visit, we walked to a Champagne house for cellar visit. Of course, Reims is the capital of Champagne. We went to Taittinger because I love their vintage champagne very much.

hangchoi · « **Reply #55 on:** 14 April 2016, 22:52:12 »

This champagne house was built on an abbey. You can find the trace of the old abbey beneath the current building.

hangchoi · « **Reply #56 on:** 14 April 2016, 22:56:01 »

The cellar was built at least 40m below the ground, giving a cool temperature for aging champagne. There are about 2 million bottles in this cellar where they have another cellar far away with over 20 million bottles.

Some of the bottles are doing remuage. The cellar was built by first making a well of a few meter deep, then excavate down to 60 meter. It has to be in pyramid shape for structural safety.

hangchoi · « **Reply #57 on:** 14 April 2016, 22:58:55 »

Walked up from the cellar by spiral staircase again. How come they like this type of staircase a lot.....

After finishing hundreds steps, we reached their sale area and tasting room. You have already warmed up by the staircase and it is good time to have a glass of champagne to quench your thirsty.

hangchoi · « **Reply #58 on:** 14 April 2016, 23:00:02 »

They have a wall showing all their distributors and I found that I know the HK's one......

hangchoi · « **Reply #59 on:** 14 April 2016, 23:03:58 »

Saint Remi Basilica is just opposite to the Taittinger house. So we went to take a look after visiting Taittinger. It is another Romanesque Gothic abbey built in 11th century. A bit rural as you can see the old stone coffin on the plaza outside the abbey.