The flags were hoisted at Ilkeston Town Hall as the borough council welcomed the visitors and showed them round.Dozens of young gymnasts and basketball players made the trip from Châlons-en-Champagne to spend a weekend competing against local athletes.The basketball players took on Ilkeston Outlaws – while their compatriots were hosted by Erewash Valley Gymnastics Club.Erewash’s leader James Dawson
his deputy Cllr Becca Everett and Deputy Mayor Harry Atkinson were among dignitaries who greeted the visitors at the town hall – where flags displaying crests from each town were also flown.Châlons-en-Champagne used to be called Châlons-sur-Marne
which is what it was known as when it became Ilkeston’s twin town in 1957
The name was officially changed in 1995.The twinning association thanked the council for making the French “feel very welcome and special.”The chair of the local branch said: “It is 68 years since Ilkeston was twinned – and it is absolutely marvellous that the links are still so strong.” Receive the latest updates about news
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an Army sergeant looked over four caskets draped in American flags inside the city hall here and chose the U.S
soldier who would embody the sacrifice of everything
French and American soldiers stood guard that night
a military parade and other ceremonies dedicated to that soldier and the many others he represents
The attendees included current and former guards of the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier
shared in keeping the legacy of the Unknown Soldier’s selection alive
“It’s a part of our history,” said Benoist Apparu
“We need to celebrate this for the younger generation
so that they do not forget what happened here.”
France and Great Britain each dedicated tombs to their unknown World War I dead on Nov
Congress approved a memorial to be placed in Arlington National Cemetery the following year
caskets carrying the remains of unidentified U.S
soldiers from four different war cemeteries in France arrived in the city
The selection was set to be made at 11 a.m
according to an account from the Society of the Honor Guard
Rogers decided that a soldier who possibly served in the same trenches should make the choice
Younger of the Army of Occupation on the Rhine had shown up for duty as a pallbearer that day
Younger was nonchalant about it in interviews shortly afterward
had possibly shielded me from a bullet that might have put me in his place,” he wrote
Unknown soldiers would later be chosen to rest at Arlington National Cemetery to symbolize those who died in World War II
The tomb at Arlington also represents “every mother whose son has not come back and is unknown,” said Pam Stemple
second vice president of American Gold Star Mothers
Scientific advances have meant that more unknown service members from past wars have been subsequently identified
Modern logistics have also contributed to preventing those killed in recent wars from being unknown
She reflected on what mothers who never got their children back endured
and that’s why it’s so important for us to go and see this,” Stemple said
the stop in Chalons-en-Champagne is part of a pilgrimage that has included cemeteries and monuments throughout France
and tears flowed for some during taps on Sunday
But the pilgrimage participants say this has also been a celebration
it’s added new color and depth to a mission of perpetuating the memory of the Unknown Soldier
was first relief commander as a tomb guard at Arlington in 1997 and 1998
He spent some nights on duty thinking about where the Unknown Soldier might have come from
and what it would have been like for him to travel on trains and a ship over the ocean to France
the opportunity to follow the path of the man he guarded is nearly beyond description
Younger made his selection,” McIlvenna said while standing on the steps of city hall
as scores of people paid their respects at the vigil
“I don’t know how many times I can say this is overwhelming
The Court of Accounts has published the second part of its annual report on local government finances
the Court noted that while 2022 had been a very favourable year
2023 saw a general deterioration in the financial position of local authorities
the Court highlights that the overall deficit of local authorities will increase significantly in 2024 due to particularly dynamic expenditures
The objectives set out in the Public Finance Programming Act for 2023-2027 will not be achieved in 2024 and are becoming increasingly uncertain
the Court presents a series of measures to ensure that local authorities contribute to the essential recovery of public finances
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exhausted workers living in a squalid hut when conducting a routine check in Nesle-le-Repons
Gendarmes and officers from France’s MSA agency regularly inspect these buildings in a bid to combat illegal work
sanitary facilities and common areas [and] the accumulation of faecal matter in the sanitary facilities’
according to a report from the prefectural decree
Officials also noted non-compliant electrical applications
which posed a risk to the 52 undocumented workers
One of the Champagne pickers shared video footage of the accommodation with French media outlets
They told reporters that they were recruited in Paris and promised €80 per day to pick Champagne grapes
The workers said they were only given a bag of rice and a few bunches of grapes to eat
‘We were hot during the day and cold at night,’ said one worker
who came from Mali to France to pick grapes
general secretary of the local trade union in Marne
went to meet the seasonal workers after hearing the news
‘They were mistreated in every way,’ she told Journal L’Union
‘Some of them suffer from respiratory problems
The Salvation Army rehoused them in hotels located in Châlons-en-Champagne and Reims
‘These seasonal workers have not received the promised remuneration,’ added Duménil
who hopes to accompany them to an industrial tribunal
Reports in France have alleged that the premises were owned by a Paris-based company called Anavim
a service provider that specialises in vineyard work
told AFP that ‘several companies’ are being targeted in their investigations
She added that they were not linked to the four grape pickers that died of suspected heatstroke during this year’s Champagne harvest
Fassey did not disclose which Champagne producer’s vineyards these undocumented migrants were working at
Around 120,000 seasonal workers generally help out with the two-week annual Champagne harvest
Growers in the region – where machine harvesting is prohibited – typically recruit grape pickers through specialist agencies
the general secretary for the CGT trade union in the Champagne region
railed against the ‘omerta’ in the ‘world of Champagne’
‘Everyone turns a blind eye because it’s the most expensive grape in the world,’ he told AFP
There have been several human trafficking scandals in the region over the past few years
Chandrika Thangarajah and Pathmaja Suntharalingam – founders of a wine service company called Rajviti – were found guilty of ‘trafficking in human beings’ and sentenced to three years in prison after housing undocumented migrants in unsanitary conditions in Marne
French authorities also found 18 Bulgarian grape pickers housed in potentially hazardous conditions in Cuis
around 150 Ukrainian grape pickers were found in an unsanitary and dangerous building in Mourmelon-le-Petit in the Marne Valley in September
Officials ordered its closure and put the owner on notice
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Visite de surveillance et scan 3D réalisés dans une ancienne crayère dans le cadre de l'Observatoire des cavités de Châlons-en-Champagne (Marne
the city of Châlons-en-Champagne has many old underground cavities of various types and sizes (networks of galleries
which were often exploited several centuries ago
they can represent a potential danger to people and property above ground
BRGM therefore recommended implementing a 5-year action plan (2019-2023) to monitor all known cavities
while also aiming to improve knowledge about the subsurface in areas where the presence of cavities could represent a significant hazard
3D survey of the Télégraphe and Père Brulé chalk quarries (Châlons-en-Champagne
The action plan put in place comprises three modules:
The annual reports published by the Cavity Observatory are used as a decision-making tool by the local authority
in terms of integrating risk management in its planning policy
BRGM provides high-quality scientific analyses and explains its findings to elected officials and residents in its reports on cave visits
These summary reports help us learn about the area from a different angle
The observatory enables us to integrate BRGM's interventions into the operational phases of our planning projects
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Deaths of people harvesting grapes could be connected to unusually hot weather
French authorities were on Thursday investigating the deaths of four grape harvesters in the Champagne region
suspected of suffering sunstroke in unusually hot weather
Prosecutors in the cities of Rheims and Châlons-en-Champagne said two men died in recent days while picking grapes
a woman died at home a few days after feeling faint during her vineyard work
while a fourth died in hospital after falling from a straddle tractor without showing any physical injuries from the fall
None of the deaths was being considered suspicious and no autopsies had been ordered
They declined to comment on any possible link to high temperatures
reported at up to 34C (93F) in the region at the end of last week
But winegrowers said the heat might be to blame
“Maybe it will turn out that the sun had something to do with this,” said Maxime Toubart
head of the Champagne growers’ association
People don’t join the harvest to lose their lives.”
About 120,000 people were helping with the two-week annual harvest and “obviously you’re going to have some accidents”
“one or two people” died from heart failure or aneurysms
One risk factor was the lack of physical preparedness for the demanding job
“More and people come here without being in the physical shape needed for outdoor work
are on medication or working shirtless,” he said
Grapes for champagne are grown on 34,000 hectares (84,000 acres) in eastern France
where more than 16,000 growers produce over 300m bottles of champagne each year
The US is the main export market for champagne
Departmental capital: Châlons-en-Champagne
Marne is still haunted by the terrible battles of World War One that were fought here
One of the country’s best-known war writers
wrote of his experiences as a young infantry officer in Marne before he was seriously wounded
Now the horrors of that conflict are long since gone and the department is best known for its bottles of bubbly
with the great champagne houses in Epernay and Reims providing a backbone to the economy and thousands of jobs in the vines
Read more: Five key factors affecting property price drops in France
which with its suburbs has 319,000 inhabitants – more than half the department’s population – is not the prefecture
the much smaller Châlons-en-Champagne is sited near Marne’s geographic centre
Reims is just over an hour from the eastern outskirts of Paris by the A4 autoroute
and the department has two other motorways – the north-south A26
running north-east from Reims to the Ardennes
Trains include a TGV station 5km outside Reims
and another TGV service stopping at Châlons-en-Champagne
Read more: What do people searching for a new home in France look for?
House prices around Reims are on the high side
reflecting its proximity to Paris and the attractiveness of the city for tech-savvy 30-somethings
An example is an overgrown plot of 1,225m² with a small stone house in near-ruin condition
which looks to date from the 1930s and with decoration from the 1970s
French property watch: farmhouses and ferry links in Manche, Normandy
French property watch: Why buy in Loire-Atlantique and average prices
French property watch: Why buy in Jura and what prices to expect
President Trump is cited as a major factor
but is not the only reason for the area’s popularity
Many major cities are showing signs of recovery when it comes to supply
City council reduce time that a property can be rented to short-term guests
Kentucky got a stern challenge from a much-improved Champagne Chalons-Reims Basket today
Kentucky got a serious challenge today from Champagne Chalons-Reims Basket
who came in with a bit of a chip on their shoulders and played by far the best basketball anyone has played against UK so far
They looked much more like the professional team they are
One thing we need to remember is that all Kentucky’s opponents during the Big Blue Bahamas tour have not been playing this year
They are just finding their game legs much like Kentucky
and I have been expecting one of these guys to rise up in the second game and show why they are paid to play professional basketball
but he more than made up for them with sharp passing and excellent on-the-ball defense that really bothered CR
Kentucky as a whole shot the ball much better from outside today
Transition defense and floor balance continue to be a big issue
This will need a lot of attention before the games that count start
Dakari Johnson has got to learn to defend the pick-and-roll better
Aaron Harrison was a force to be reckoned with today
He has been the work horse in all these games
Kentucky’s pick-and-roll offense was not great today
Screen-setting is very weak and must improve
CR was vastly better than they were last time
Kentucky really played a very similar game to what they have the whole time
much better than they were the last time these two met
I think this close game was an excellent test for Kentucky early
and it helped to expose who they guys are that want to be there at crunch time
I think you have to say that Ulis is one of those guys
I’m very happy Calipari has decided to take most of this trip off
it is typically brilliant of him in ways that will likely pay off down the road
Karl Towns was not quite up to standard today
who really had scouted the Wildcats’ tendencies well
Tuesday
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From unsanitary facilities to unpaid labor
more than 200 foreigners worked in appalling conditions during the recent grape harvest
By Stéphanie Wenger (Strasbourg (France) correspondent)
FRANCOIS NASCIMBENI / AFP The justice system in France's Champagne region has taken up a number of cases linked to the grape harvest
Deputy Prosecutor Céline Fassey confirmed the opening of two investigations into human trafficking
The investigations are about acts committed in Nesle-le-Repons and Mourmelon-le-Petit
ordered the closure of a substandard building housing 160 Ukrainian grape-pickers
the labor inspection department also discovered a building in Nesles-le-Repons where 52 workers of Malian
Mauritanian and Senegalese origin were being housed in substandard conditions
the prefectural orders noted "the presence of numerous makeshift beds; the dilapidated state; substandard and unsanitary conditions; the lack of cleanliness and disinfection; the disgusting state of the toilets
washrooms and communal areas; and the accumulation of fecal matter in the washrooms," as well as the risk of fire
Videos seen by Le Monde support the testimonies of the workers who used to live at Nesles-le-Repons
Initial evidence suggests that they were hired by service providers
these intermediaries have expanded in the vineyard sector
This makes it easier to recruit workers who are increasingly hard to find
You have 72.21% of this article left to read
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Via Francigena
Jean-Claude Paperin, Vice-President of the FFVF, Pascale Fleuriot, member of the Voie de Sigéric association (affiliated with FFVF) and Jacques Chevin
EAVF’s representative in charge of the development of the French and Swiss sections of the Via Francigena
presided a shared stand displaying information on the itinerary
They had a chance to meet the public as well as many of the 170 exhibited stands in the fair
The FFVF is a federation of associations among pilgrims in France who work to support pilgrimages along the Via Francigena, mostly by continuously updating the list of available hospitality locations. The Via Francigena stand at the fair was situated beside the stand of the FFRandonnée from the Marne Department
an important partner for the EAVF and for the development of the Via Francigena GR®145 in France
is responsible for the maintenance of signage and walkability of the Via Francigena GR®145 route in France
Jacques Chevin met more actors who develop the territory and are important for the development of the route
and even the Marne Tourist Development Agency
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Archetypal shapes and gleaming colours characterize Philippe Gibert’s design for six multifamily buildings featuring social housing in the eastern French city of Châlons-en-Champagne
The formerly industrial area lies a bit northwest of the city centre
situated between an arterial road and a canal that flows parallel to the Marne as it runs through the city of 44 000
The parcel of land closes itself off from the road to the west by a high wall of dark-red corrugated metal in the same shade as the facades of the buildings that come right up against the edge of the property here
Soundproofing is ensured by the exterior stairways that can just be perceived behind the perforated metal cladding
towards the Canal Saint-Martin and the green space to the southwest
the six structures open up with building-wide loggias whose white interior cladding contrasts with the otherwise monochrome red of the building shell
The plot is also more open where it faces the canal; a mere fence delimits it from the traffic-calmed path along the edge
The historical buildings in the centre of Châlons could have inspired the choice of colour for the new buildings
in their immediate vicinity they certainly make a bright accent
Each building has one three- to four-room apartment per storey – the first with 62 m² of space
All the flats open onto the green on three sides
which gives them the feel of single-family dwellings
Architecture: Philippe GibertClient: Nov’ Habitat
Location: 61 rue du Faubourg Saint Antoine
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Bordeaux native Yohan Castaing is a freelance journalist
southwest France and Champagne houses for The Wine Advocate
a guide to the wines of the Rh\u00f4ne Valley
He also writes for wine publications including Gault&Millau and Jancis Robinson
Castaing has held a variety of positions in the wine industry such as wine buyer and marketing director
He was a wine marketing consultant and the author of several books about wine marketing and wine tourism before
he became a full-time freelance wine journalist focusing on the industry and wine reviews
Perrier is an illustrious name in Champagne; Laurent Perrier
Perrier-Jouët and Joseph Perrier are all heavyweights and it’s clear that this moniker carries with it an expectation of quality and heritage
Joseph Perrier is possibly the least eminent of the three
but it’s as important a Champagne house as any in the history of the region and in the glass itself
Founder Joseph Perrier was the son of wine merchant François-Alexandre Perrier and the nephew of Pierre Nicolas-Marie Perrier (who founded Perrier-Jouët in 1811)
He established the house in 1825 in a large residence in the town of Châlons-en-Champagne where he had several galleries dug in the chalk of Champagne to connect the Gallo-Roman cellars
constituting a magnificent network of cellars extending for three kilometres
dug horizontally in contrast to Charles Heidsieck
Perrier was an important figure in Châlons-en-Champagne
which was named Châlons-sur-Marne at the time
After his death the business was sold to his friend Paul Pithois
who continued to develop the Champagne house and Joseph Perrier name
In the late 19th and early 20th centuries it became an appointed supplier to the royal households of Queen Victoria and King Edward VII
After several years of quietly living on its achievements
Perrier was acquired by the Alain Thiénot Group in 1988
Jean-Claude Fourmon – the great-grandson of Paul Pithois – and his son Benjamin Fourmon manage Joseph Perrier
While several houses keep cellars in the city
Joseph Perrier is the only Champagne house to be headquartered there
The vineyards of Joseph Perrier are situated in the Vallée de la Marne where it owns 21 hectares of vines
Twelve hectares are located in Verneuil with the remaining nine hectares divided between the villages of Cumières
The vineyards provide about 25% of the house’s needs; the rest is purchased from vignerons from different villages or regions such as Montagne de Reims
Pinot Noir is in the ascendancy at Joseph Perrier offering a tense and lively tone to the range
The Chardonnay grapes offer a contrasting minerality and power
was created in the 1982 vintage and named in honour of the founder’s daughter
It is made with Chardonnay and Pinot Noir grapes solely from Grands Crus sites
but where should you dine at the end of a hard day’s tasting
At this year’s Decanter Fine Wine Encounter
we asked for insider tips from those working for some of the top Champagne houses…
Contemporary design meets traditional Champagne … Credit: assiettechampenoise.com
Literal translation: ‘the dish of Champagne’ — this restaurant epitomises the region’s haute cuisine
has elevated L’Assiette Champenoise to its current three-Michelin star status
Signature dishes include blue lobsters from Brittany and Alba white trufffles. A firm favourite among Champagne producers, you’ll find it just outside Reims, in the village of Tinqueux. Book now
theatre and jazz gems collected since 1930
Café du Palais has been serving up classic French fare since 1930
Over the years its played host to concerts
History is layered into its interior, from the paintings, music and theatre bric-a-brac adorning the walls, to the 1928 Art Deco stain glass ceiling, a one-off design by Jacques Simon, depicting the heavens. The selection of Champagnes is pretty heavenly, too, starting at just €22 a bottle. Conveniently near the Cathédrale Notre-Dame de Reims. Book now
sixth-generation family member and director of Champagne Krug
Exquisite interior design at Le Grand Cerf
A Michelin-starred restaurant at the foot of the Montagne de Reims
noted by Michelin’s expert inspectors for its ‘particularly interesting wine list’ and ‘fine ingredients’
floor-to-ceiling windows overlook the expansive garden and a nature theme is reflected in the modern wooded interior
Max the sommelier can take care of your wine needs, while Dominique Giraudeau offers seasonal cuisine. Look out for the special truffle menu available during the winter truffle season. Book now
This is what Michelin-star standard France-Japanese fusion cooking looks like… Credit: racine.re
Racine is a Franco-Japanese fusion restaurant run by chef Kazuyuki Tanaka and his Burgundian wife
Chef Tanaka blends culinary traditions and flavours with an expert hand
The Michelin Guide 2017 says his menu is ‘lively
Located in the centre of Reims, not far from the Cathédrale Notre-Dame de Reims. As it is a small restaurant — only seating around 20 people — booking is advised. Alternatively, a seven minute walk past the Place Royale will take you its more casual sister restaurant, Doko Koko, which is also a hit with local producers. Book now
even if only for an evening… Credit: lescrayeres.com
Le Parc is the more opulent of the Les Crayères hotel restaurants
Michelin inspectors noted the dining experience as ‘exceptional’
It’s created by the talented young chef Philippe Mille
pastry chef Yoann Normand and head sommelier Philippe Jamesse — a Champagne specialist so renowned he even has a collection of Lehmann wine glasses name after him
Take time to enjoy the 7 hectare Domaine Les Crayères, former residence of the Polignac family, now a Relais & Château hotel. Book now
Recommended by Thomas Jorez of Champagne Philipponnat
Stop off in Dizy for a gourmet meal at Les Grains d’Argent… Credit: Booking.com
An independent boutique hotel with a gourmet restaurant
Les Grains d’Argent — or ‘the silver grapes’ — is located in Dizy
between Reims and Épernay at the ‘gateway to Paris’
If you happen to be paying a visit to the houses of Moët et Chandon or Perrier-Jouët
Les Grains d’Argent is a handy stop-off within 3km
The restaurant is led by Michelin-starred chef Frédéric Simonin, whose signature dish is Champagne escargot with mushrooms, lardons and ratafia sauce. Their wine list is crafted by Champagne specialist Annabelle Hazard and features major houses, as well as independent growers. Book now
the star chef who was once a firefighter… Credit: hotel-dangleterre.fr
Although Reims and Épernay may be more well known
Châlons-en-Champagne is historic capital of the Champagne-Ardennes region
which is respected locally for the high standards of its Restaurant Jérome Feck
Firefighter-turned-chef Jérome Feck cut his teeth in many notable Champagne establishments, including Le Foch and La Briqueterie. At Hotel d’Angleterre he serves up delights such as scallops with choron sauce and partridge roasted with peanuts. A classical, unfussy interior with wood panelling and stone floors. Book now
Recommended by Martin Gamman MW of Champagne Joseph Perrier
The precision is in the pudding for the father and son chef team at Le Millénaire… Credit: lemillenaire.com
Le Millénaire is a Michelin-starred restaurant designed by architect Rémois Giovanni Pace
There are three dining spaces spread over two levels
spacious and cutting edge thanks to Pace’s expertise
Expect golden wood tones paired with pristine white walls and table linen
Chefs Laurent Laplaige and his son Thibault work together in the kitchen, creating ‘delicious, thoroughly modern cuisine’, according to the Michelin Guide inspectors. Sunday to Thursday you can enjoy three courses for 37 euros, or if you want to go all out there is a daily-changing ‘market’ menu set at 96 euros. Book now
The brasserie that is the site of the oldest brewery in Reims
now serving Champagnes… Credit: boulingrin.fr
This establishment is purportedly the site of oldest brewery in Reims
satisfying the appetites of the Champanoise locals since 1925
spread over two floors and overlooking Place de République
The menu specialises in traditional regional dishes and seafood, with different catches coming in fresh each morning. If oysters and Champagne is your thing look no further, you can select your dozen huîtres from Normandy, Marenne-Oléron or Brittany — also available to take away. Book now
Recommended by Kevin McKee of Champagne Taittinger
Husband-and-wife team Jacky and Corinne Louaze have elevated their restaurant to Michelin-star level with their topnotch cooking and service
After a stroll along Les Hautes Promenades in Reims
sidle into this sophisticated Michelin-starred restaurant
led by husband-and-wife team Jacky and Corinne Louaze — you’ll find their names proudly emblazoned across the awning at the entrance
while Jacky is the talented chef — praised by Michelin inspectors for his ‘inventive culinary repertory’ and ‘premium produce’
The Michelin Guide also classed the wine list as ‘excellent’
Take advantage of the weekday lunch menu for €27, for evenings and weekends there are €51and €69 menus, or the grand seven-course tasting extravaganza for €95. Book now
Recommended by Willem Pinçon of Charles Heidsieck Champagne
More than a thousand Champagne grape growers this week joined with farmers for street protests against execssive tax that led to activists bricking up the entrance to a local government headquarters
Image: France Bleu
Farmers’ unions across France had called for a day of protest on Wednsday (5 November) against excessive taxes and regulation in the agriculture sector
French news agency Agence France Presse estimated that 1,500 grape growers took part in protests centred on Chalons-en-Champagne
with hundreds more farmers joining them – many on tractors
Around 3,000 farmers and wine growers were expected at the protest
local agriculture union FDSEA said just before the march
It published a schedule for the protest that allocated a three-hour slot between 2pm and 5pm for activists to brick-up the entrance to the prefecture building in Chalons
Images released by radio station France Bleu
They hauled breeze blocks into town and duly built a makeshift wall in front of the door
even as union leaders prepared to meet the head of the local authority for talks