Today Friday October 29, I arrived in France. After an overnight flight, a long taxi ride, a bomb threat, and an uneventful train ride, I earned some well-deserved bubbly in Reims, the capital of France.
My Best Overnight Flight Ever
I flew from Chicago to Paris in an over-night flight through United Airlines. When I arrived at the gate, there was a line to get into the waiting area. Blocking the entry, two United employees checked entry documents behind a desk: passport, vaccination card, and the French honor statement document where you attest that you do not have Covid or have been exposed to Covid.
The flight was great. It was on time, I got a seat in Premium Economy (plenty of legroom), and plenty of movies were available. But the best part of the flight, was that I had the entire row (that is three whole seats) to myself!!! Can you believe it?! I was actually able to lie down to sleep! Oh… I slept sooooo gooood!!!!
To the Gare de l’Est
When I arrived in Paris, my plan was to take a bus to the Gare de l’Est. I decided not to stay in Paris the first day, rather I made plans to visit Reims, the capital of the Champagne region so I could do some wine tastings at the Champagne houses. I booked tickets to Champagne departing from the Gare de l’Est, one of the train stations in Paris. After my flight landed, I went through immigration. Everything went smoothly. I presented my passport and my vaccination card and I was good to go! I collected my suitcase and began looking for the bus to the train station. However, the bus was hard to find and it was not running regularly. I decided to go ahead and splurge on a cab. Forty five minutes later (and 53 euros lighter) I was at Gare de l’Est where I had a delicious, Parisian breakfast: a ham and cheese croissant nicely toasted so that the cheese was crispy and the pastry was flaky.
EXIT THE STATION, NOW!!!!!
The train station is like no train station I’ve ever seen! There was some really nice shops. As I was wandering the aisles of a bookstore, two French police officers came in and began yelling, “Sortez la gare! Maintainant!” Exit the station now! I, along with a hundred other people, exited the station. There was a bomb threat. An abandoned suitcase was located in the station and the police needed to investigate if it was just forgotten luggage o if something more malicious was going on. Outside over a hundred people were huddled together trying to escape the rain that had descended on that morning in Paris. After about half an hour I heard an officer yell something, but I did not understand. A very friendly woman named Fatima explained to me in English that they were calling passengers for one of the trains. She and her family befriended me and made sure I was kept up with all the updates being communicated by the officers. An hour later, we were allowed to reenter the station.
Reims, France
The train to Reims left on time. It only lasted 45 minutes and there was plenty of beautiful scenery to keep me entertained. I’m not sure what crops they grow in this region (other than grapes for champagne making), but farmers are in the middle of harvest, it seems. I saw a few John Deere tractors running through the fields. It made me smile.
I arrived at the Reims train station on time. The first thing I noticed when I left the station was the smell of flowers. There is a park just outside the station and it is filled with flowers. I could smell their wonderful aroma, even with my mask on. Past the park there is a street called Erlon which is lined by restaurants and bars. My hotel was located not far from here.
Cathedral, Basilica, and Veuve Clicquot
I spent the day walking all across Reims. I visited the Cathedral and the Basilica. Both are beautiful gothic structures. The Cathedral is magnificent. It is imposing and royal… which is fitting because the kings of France were crowed at the Cathedral in Reims. Gargoyles watch the passersby with threatening expressions. Hundreds of saints stare out form the towers of the cathedral. Just like Notre Dame de Paris, this cathedral has flying buttresses and two imposing bell towers.
A few miles away, is the basilica of Reims. The remains of Saint Remy are here I the basilica. How can one town have two super majestic churches just a few miles from each other?
Not far from the basilica, is the house of Veuve Clicquot. I found it by accident. I literally saw it from the basilica and made my way to this beacon of champagne. I traversed the place des Droits de’Homme and made my way to the welcoming center. Unfortunately, there are no walk in tastings at this time… tant pis! Too bad! Yet, the road to this champagne house was beautiful. Fall has colored the trees a bright yellow. On the ground, the jaune leaves look like natural tiles under my feet.
The Bar of the Angels
In front of the cathedral, there is a bar called Le Bar des Anges (The Bar of Angels). I sat at the bar and ordered some champagne. The staff and the regulars were super nice! They made me feel at home and were happy to hear what I had to say about the champagnes I was tasting. Jerry, one of the bar tenders, gave me a recommendation for when I’m in Paris: Harry’s Bar. He says it is a very popular place where the cocktails are incredible. It’s not far from my hotel in Paris. Maybe I’ll check it out.
Overall, I had a wonderful day in Reims. I very much recommended it. Especially for those who love champagne.
Loli me encanta como describes y narras tu viaje y sus experiencias. Dios te siga acompañando en tu viaje mi hija querida.