Champagne-Ardenne

The Champagne-Ardennes region has a lot to offer anyone interested in history. At Sedan, the fifteenth-century fortified castle is the largest in Europe, while the star-shaped fortifications at Rocroi are well worth a trip.

Troyes, in the south of the region, has a charming old town at its centre with well-preserved 16th-century half-timbered houses.

Then head to Reims, the region’s capital, where you’ll find many of the champagne houses, including Mumm, Piper-Heidsieck, and Taittinger. Once you’ve tried the wine, visit the Notre-Dame Cathedral, famous for its rose window - circular stained glass - and for the set of stained glass windows produced by Marc Chagall in 1974.

The landscape of Champagne-Ardennes is varied, from the relatively barren south to the more fertile north. You’ll find that Ardennes has very fine pigs, apples and mushrooms, so try the speciality bacon salad. Despite its claim to fame, the region has relatively few vineyards, mostly centred around Reims and Épernay.