You don't have permission to access the page you requested What is this page?The website you are visiting is protected.For security reasons this page cannot be displayed Find out everything you need to know about the Paralympic Torch Relay ahead of its grand finale in the centre of Paris, including the route, torchbearers and where the Paralympic flame was lit. The village is the historic birthplace of the Paralympic movement where Doctor Ludwig Guttmann first dreamt of a sporting event for World War II veterans with disabilities to aid in their physical and mental rehabilitation the Paralympic flame lit in Stoke Mandeville experienced a unique journey to France the Paralympic flame travelled to the Channel Tunnel an underwater passage that connects Great Britain and France 24 British torchbearers entered the tunnel with the Paralympic torch where they were met halfway by 24 French torchbearers who delivered the Paralympic flame to the French coastal city of Calais The Paralympic flame was then multiplied digitally in Calais with twelve flames being created to commemorate the 12 days of the first Summer Paralympic Games to be held in France The twelve flames then took up residence in border communities across mainland France Picture by 2021 Getty ImagesTorchbearers light the Heritage Flame during the Paralympic Heritage Flame Lighting Ceremony at Stoke Mandeville Stadium on August 19 Beginning with the creation of 12 Paralympic flames in Calais the flames today (Monday 26 August) begin their journey towards Paris Daily celebrations will be held on each evening with a Paralympic cauldron lit in each of the 12 locations The Festivals of the Flame will bring together music Paralympic sports and festivities for whole families to enjoy The various Paralympic flames will continue towards Paris on 27 August making stops across the Île-de France region before completing a final sprint across the host city itself on 28 August "It's quite original to be able to cover so much territory in a Paralympic relay,” said Deputy CEO of the Organising Committee of the Olympic and Paralympic Games Michaël Aloïsio “We're expecting a lot of people and these will be important days for launching the Paralympic Games" The Paralympic flames will make their final appearance during the Opening Ceremony where they will be used to light the cauldron to symbolise the start of the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games 1,000 torchbearers will be called upon to guide the Paralympic flame to the City of Lights Known as “forerunners,” the Paris 2024 torchbearers were selected based on their commitment dedication and embodiment of the intangible qualities key to the success of the Paralympic Games Paris 2024 around 200 will take part in six team relays each of which will promote one aspect of Para sports Each team relay will be unique and are made up of key volunteers from the Paralympic federations a relay of people involved in innovative actions and a relay bringing together people who dedicate their lives to those with disabilities and people who work each day in the non-profit sector to help advance the rights of carers It's not just in Paris that we enjoy July 14th fireworks displays Although they may be smaller and less lavish they are a delight for young and old alike Fireworks displays in Seine-et-Marne (77) have something for everyone whether they live in the département or further af ield illuminating the sky with a thousand colors and sparkles fireworks displays in 77 promise an unforgettable experience for the whole family So where can you see fireworks on July 13 and 14 ATTENTION: This guide is updated as announcements are made so please keep an eye out for possible cancellations July 14th national holiday in Pontault-Combault (77): fireworks on July 13, 2024Pontault-Combault is celebrating its national holiday again this year, with a traditional fireworks display on Saturday July 13, 2024. [Read more] Fête Nationale in Meaux (77): parade and fireworks on July 13, 2024Join us on July 13, 2024 for a spectacular fireworks display and parade to celebrate France's national holiday! [Read more] Refer your establishment, click herePromote your event, click here You don't have permission to access the page you requested. What is this page?The website you are visiting is protected.For security reasons this page cannot be displayed. United StatesChevron VirginiaChevron ParisChevron ChevronChevronPhotosSave this storySaveSave this storySaveReviewed by Lindsey TramutaWhat were your first impressions when you arrived The experience definitely appeals most to foreign tourists but has been known to enchant a French traveler or two. But you should expect a largely non-French crowd, dressed to the nines, oohing and aahing as the boat glides silently and slowly along the Seine, in front of iconic monuments. Wine is the focus here. Any serious wine lovers should opt for the pairing menu option while those with boundless budgets might want to consider the six-course menu with Champagne pairings from start-to-finish, which also comes with a prime table at the head of the boat (although in truth, every table commands a spectacular view). Main event: the food. Give us the lowdown—especially what not to miss. And how did the front-of-house folks treat you? There's a reason that Ducasse restaurants worldwide have earned countless Michelin stars and continue to be well-loved: the service is smooth and warm, never overbearing, and the courses well-paced. After all, there is a two-hour time limit to respect. What’s the real-real on why we’re coming here? As far as sightseeing experiences go, this is superior to most without feeling like you're partaking in an activity purely for uninformed tourists. Dinner on the boat is an especially great idea for special occasions or celebrations—particularly in the summer when the sun sets well after 10 p.m. up-to-the-minute voice in all things travel Condé Nast Traveler is the global citizen’s bible and muse We understand that time is the greatest luxury which is why Condé Nast Traveler mines its network of experts and influencers so that you never waste a meal or a hotel stay wherever you are in the world Olympic Membership - Free Live Stream Sports & Original Series - join now! 🥇 the Olympic Torch Relay returns to the Parisian region this Friday During these few days of celebration around the capital One thing's for sure: there'll be something for everyone View this post on Instagram A post shared by Paris2024 (@paris2024) The Relay will pass through 12 towns across the department where the festivities will be in full swing Throughout the 15 towns and cities it will pass through the Relay will travel through an atmosphere that promises to be one to remember with a departure from Orly airport at 8am and a finale in Créteil as the highlight of the day « Back Identical twins Charles Bertimon and Maxence Bertimon have played tennis together since they were 10 years old the twins are entering their final collegiate year together at VCU The Champagne Sur Seine, France natives have been successful throughout their tenure as Rams, winning conference championships and becoming Intercollegiate Tennis Association, or ITA, All-Americans, according to VCU Athletics chose to stay at VCU for another year because of how much he enjoys college “It’s been a fun ride,” Charles Bertimon said “I just love college — everything that is offered to you Coming to college made Charles Bertimon a better person “I took college as a stepping stone to just be the best version of myself,” Charles Bertimon said “I wouldn’t trade that for anything in the world.” started his collegiate career at Georgia Gwinnett College but decided to transfer to VCU to join his identical twin after one year Maxence Bertimon wishes he could compete at VCU for another year but I would do it if I could,” Maxence Bertimon said The Bertimon twins are looking to lead the black and gold this season to surpass objectives on the season “We [are] really in the mentality that we want to be leaders for the team and we want to help the team reach the goals,” Maxence Bertimon said The Bertimons became the first VCU men’s tennis doubles pairing to reach the NCAA Semifinals, according to VCU Athletics but we didn’t expect that much success,” Charles Bertimon said “It just came with hard work — to capitalize on that this year we have such high standards for ourselves.” VCU tennis head coach Anthony Rossi recruited both twins when he was an assistant at VCU The Bertimon twins can be successful again this season “I think they can do something special this year,” Rossi said “I think they can do something special once they graduate as well.” VCU men’s tennis program has won five Atlantic 10 Championships since 2017, according to VCU Athletics The team has garnered continued success since the twins joined the program “They’ve been a huge part of the success — the team has got better,” Rossi said The pair of identical twins plan on playing professional tennis together by next summer “Right now we’re really focused on the season and getting the work done,” Charles Bertimon said “We want to play both singles and doubles professionally The Bertimon twins understand how rough the process is to play tennis professionally we know that it’s not gonna be done overnight and it’s a long process and we [are] ready for it,” Charles Bertimon said “I think college was a great experience to prepare us for that.” The CT strives for accuracy. If you believe we have made an error, please contact Dylan Hostetter at editor@commonwealthtimes.org Letters to the editor or editorial content submissions are encouraged by email to Natalie McEwan at opinions@commonwealthtimes.org All content © 1968-2025 The Commonwealth Times No part of The Commonwealth Times may be reproduced in any form without written permission from the publisher Internationally renowned pastry and chocolate maker Pierre Hermé needs no introduction The Eiffel Tower and Pierre Hermé Paris have begun a new collaboration to offer an exclusive range of new Come and treat yourself at the Eiffel Tower and exclusively discover the two macarons created especially for the Iron Lady Pierre Hermé has dreamed up a pair of chocolate-based recipes two delicious tributes to the Eiffel Tower and its backdrop They’re just as much of a treat for the tastebuds as for the eyes with the “La Tour Eiffel” label stamped on the Eiffel Tower’s exclusive macarons visitors can leave with a taster of the French art of living The Pierre Hermé Paris macarons are available in the 2nd floor macaron bar Here are the delightful selection of flavors that we offer at the Eiffel Tower (subject to stock and availability): A selection of macarons is also available in the 1st floor café and the champagne bar at the top has an exclusive offer of an assortment of 4 macarons including “Jardin sur les toits” and “Jardin sur la Seine” presented in an attractive Eiffel Tower tin Take Paris’ most spectacular ride to the top for €36.10 or less (€36.10 for adult ticket with access to top by lift) buy your tickets online Sur la billetterie officielle toureiffel.paris the official website of the Eiffel Tower A website owned by Sociéte d'Exploitation de la tour Eiffel Through receiving messages and photos on WhatsApp Maxence Bertimon was able to see what playing tennis at VCU was like from afar sent countless pictures and messages to him while Maxence Bertimon played tennis at Georgia Gwinnett College and I knew the city even before coming here and I knew the team.” Maxence Bertimon transferred to VCU from Georgia Gwinnett “I felt grateful when I knew that I could be a part of the team,” Maxence Bertimon said natives both ventured to the United States for collegiate tennis Maxence Bertimon took an extra year to finish high school before playing at Georgia Gwinnett last year Maxence Bertimon shined on the court at the NAIA level He posted an 11-0 singles record and was 7-0 in doubles When coach Anthony Rossi was recruiting Charles Bertimon to VCU Maxence Bertimon wanted to play professionally after high school Rossi didn’t know if Maxence Bertimon would decide to play at the collegiate level “I was praying for it,” Rossi said of having the twins on the team “I didn’t feel like it would be possible to wait another year to have him Maxence Bertimon was able to attend a VCU match and see his brother excel on the team “I saw my twin very happy to be a part of the team,” Maxence Bertimon said Although it’s uncertain if Maxence Bertimon will be able to play in competition this season he doesn’t think the transition to the Division-I level will be difficult Bertimon is practicing with the team as he awaits the NCAA’s decision “We had to be at 100% each match,” Maxence Bertimon said of Georgia Gwinnett “It was difficult for me because I started in the fourth position in the lineup so I had to improve my game every day to be able to play better on the team.” Rossi said that although the twins are similar players Maxence Bertimon brings more variety in his game than Charles “I feel like he can do a little bit of everything and that’s really good about him,” Rossi said of Maxence “He’s an all-around player and really gives us variety So that’s easy for a coach to have that type of player.” The two share the same interests — they often go on runs throughout the city as well as cook together “It’s really huge because I feel like only him and I can understand,” Charles Bertimon said The twins live together in the same apartment with two other teammates Charles Bertimon said the two have spent a lot of time exploring the city together since Maxence Bertimon joined him in Richmond “I think my teammates are getting jealous because I spend a lot of time with him,” Charles Bertimon said while laughing Rossi said their relationship is easy to see on and off the court “They’re always the first ones to come to training and the last ones to leave,” Rossi said … It’s a no-brainer to have those two on the team.” From tastings on a vintage bullet boat to farm-to-table feasts in an old train depot and relax in France’s most famous wine region While France’s northeastern region of Champagne has always had its draws — picturesque villages a labyrinthine network of underground chalk galleries not to mention global name recognition — it’s only relatively recently that the iconic houses that forged its luxe reputation have taken a serious interest in tourism “Lots of the houses had little trains you could take [through the cellars] that were reminiscent of something you would have seen at Disney World,” remembers Christian Holthausen a French-American strategic consultant in the wine & spirits industry of his early career in Champagne in the 1990s “There was always a gift shop with ice buckets and t-shirts for sale you were never invited for lunch or dinner You were just given a generic list of suggestions for dining options straddling a line between ludicrously expensive and horribly grim.” But it wasn’t until Champagne’s hillsides, houses, and cellars earned UNESCO World Heritage Status in 2015 that Le Comité Interprofessionnel du Vin de Champagne and the regional tourism board began seriously ramping up promotion of the region from an oenotourism perspective launching events and flashy advertising campaigns to cement the Champagne region as a veritable must-go for both French and foreign travelers and Champagne the drink as something to pair with more than a special occasion posters across France advertised fizzing flutes of Champagne alongside glazed donuts So far the collective efforts seem to be working. International visits to the region have increased dramatically — Taittinger, for example, reported a 21 percent jump in foreign tourism traffic between 2015 and 2018 — and today a visitor to Champagne can cycle through the region’s quaint villages ones that showcase how Champagne connects to daily life as a wine that complements food Champagne may have been slow to embrace wine tourism but if these new experiences are any indication there is a firm commitment to making up for lost time A final note: This isn’t meant to be an exhaustive list by any means — there are some 360 Champagne houses (and 16,200 winemakers) in the appellation and some still don’t offer public visits at all The grapes: The dominant trio of grape varietals to remember when it comes to champagne production: chardonnay Chardonnay represents approximately 70% of vineyards and (almost always) makes up 100% of Blanc de Blancs Champagnes characterized by its exclusively white grape composition single-vineyard wines: While there are a growing number of single-vineyard or single-parcel champagnes produced today across the regions (including the Clos des Goisses from Philipponnat the majority of Champagnes are blended wines And in case you’re wondering if one approach is better than the other or if small estates produce better quality Champagnes than large houses as well as the process of making Champagne and the geological and environmental specificity that shapes the region’s unique terroir during your visits to these forward-looking houses The versatility of Piot-Sevillano champagnes and a brand new tasting center for the independent house with views overlooking the vines and the Marne valley is what led Christine Scher-Sévillano and her husband to start offering gastronomic picnics in 2020 winemaking has been the lifeblood of the Piot family who owns 20 acres in the small village of Vincelles Christine and her husband have preserved that heritage while taking it further with low intervention viticulture (currently transitioning to organic) and a new tasting and event space in a former school located in the village Champagnes that are either delicate or vinous They’re perfectly adaptable to a range of dishes,” says Christine she says the house’s Fraicheur de Coteau Extra Brut cuvée pairs well with scallops is more powerful and therefore better complemented by heartier foods such as steak this fourth-generation family-run champagne house in Damery opened a professional tasting room and state-of-the-art kitchen where Anne Malassagne and her brother Antoine oversee cooking workshops (by appointment only) meant to highlight the pairing potential for their champagnes That might be roasted chicken with a glass of their Brut Intense or a slightly more involved dish using local ingredients visitors leave with a better appreciation for the various Champagne styles and how they can complement almost anything you might want to eat very few people actually drink Champagne with caviar or lobster,” says Malassgne “but nearly everyone I know drinks Champagne with roasted chicken or with Comté cheese.” the house will once again run Champenois lunches in a cabin situated at the heart of its vines in Bisseuil who traces its roots to the region as far back as the 16th century and has been operating as a producer since 1910 occupies unique real estate in Mareuil-sur-Aÿ The house is best known for the Clos des Goisses a 13.5-acre vineyard adjacent to the winery purchased back in 1935 and largely considered one of the region’s most exceptional terroirs That’s in part thanks to the orientation of the vineyard: south-facing and situated on a steep 45-degree slope which makes it about 1.5 degrees warmer than average for the region During one of the house’s special visits (available only upon request via email guests can tour its special walled vineyard on foot before heading onto a vintage bullet boat and sailing the Marne river for an hour and a half — just enough time for a tasting of several cuvées including Clos des Goisses and Royale Réserve Brut and digging into a seasonal picnic lunch prepared by the chefs at the Royal Champagne Hotel & Spa (see below) As one of only a handful of houses with crayères — Gallo-Roman chalk quarries that were hand-dug into the limestone subsoil approximately 100 feet deep and used today as cellars — Ruinart already boasts one of the most sought-after visits to book But beyond the two-hour guided visit with a tasting (around $79) including two cuvées by appointment only) or sampling cuvées by the glass the house began serving weekend brunch in the garden in the summer of 2020 The resident chef Valérie Radou creates the bistronomic menu sourcing entirely from local Champenois producers after going through and tasting Ruinart Brut and Ruinart Rosé cuvées with the oenological team “I take into consideration a number of elements: the weather during the bottle’s harvest year which can play a role in the composition of a dish,” Radou explains olfactive notes as well as textural qualities such as fullness and herbs that would make suitable matches.” you might find a brunch spread featuring fennel and orange salads (best paired with the Blanc de Blancs) and fruit-based desserts like rhubarb tart pineapple infused with ginger and lemon syrup Despite the number of major Champagne houses that lord over the avenue de Champagne in Épernay none have offered a full fine dining experience until Perrier-Jouët launched Belle Epoque Society in June 2021 the 200-year-old house’s new culinary program meant to fit within a range of budgets On the more accessible end and open to the public (Wednesday to Sunday) an elegant champagne bar adjacent the Perrier-Joüet boutique and production facility that serves the house’s Blanc de Blancs with elevated snacks (when it opened there was house-smoked salmon marinated in roasted sesame and yuzu beneath a canopy of dried plants and flowers or outside The more exclusive culinary experience (only 12 seats) is set across the street from Cellier in the UNESCO-protected 18th-century private mansion that was once home to Perrier-Jouët’s founding family Though the house was fully restored in 2017 the Friday and Saturday lunches served among the largest private collection of French Art Nouveau in Europe mark the first time it has opened to the public from sitting rooms filled with Louis Majorelle tables and armoires and Toulouse-Lautrec originals to a lounge kitted out with a fireplace mantle designed by Hector Guimard (known for his elaborate entrances to Paris metro stations) guests take their seats for a seven dish pairing lunch ($280 per person) concocted by French superstar chef Pierre Gagnaire in collaboration with his protege Sébastien Morellon Unlike most pairing menus in which the wine is meant to complement the food here it’s the food that adapts to the cuvées (in the case of the fall menu that was Belle Epoque Blanc de Blancs 2006 The citrus notes in the Belle Epoque Rosé 2010 was highlighted with desserts such as a poached pear granita atop fresh grapes and quince jelly cut with Champagne marc that leaned fruity and acidic rather than sweet The Michelin-starred Japanese chef Kazuyuki Tanaka chef-owner of this contemporary French-Japanese restaurant in Reims is an avowed fan of Champagne and hires young sommeliers attuned to the rising generation of Champagne producers in the region to develop a sharp wine list to pair with his inventive cooking Multiple tasting menus (roughly between $85–$250) showcase the chef’s deep affection for French products and preference for lighter (read: sans creamy sauces) preparations It all goes down in a pared-back dining room with a delicate dance of table service overseen by the chef’s wife Marine you’ll definitely need to plan ahead and book well in advance Plan to order one of everything from this popular wine bar and deli in Reims Whether in the selection of the natural wines and biodynamic Champagnes (served by the glass or by bottle) or the sourcing of produce and meats from small purveyors transparency is the abiding ethos for the Servas who have welcomed a strong international contingent of clients since they opened in 2018 Don’t be surprised if there’s a bit of a wait: there are more products than there are tables but it’s worth lingering with a glass or stopping in for provisions to take home that serial restaurateur and wine merchant Juan Sanchez (known for La Dernière Goutte and Freddy’s in Paris) and associates (including Champagne producers Cédric and Emilie Bouchard Jean-Pierre and Véronique Josselin) set up an affordable farm-to-table bistro What isn’t pulled directly from the farm is sourced from local producers while an ever-rotating series of dishes are prepared in a massive open kitchen with 23-foot high ceilings and a seven-foot wide hearth oven by a talented crew of international resident chefs (Sayaka Sawaguchi Nathan Fallowfield and Jose Neves) and the occasional guest chef (most recently that was Robert Mendoza from Vivant Deux in Paris) the range of dishes might include steamed cod grilled leeks and candied garden tomatoes in a caldeirada sauce grilled and citrus-marinated artichokes with an almond puree served with tonkotsu and sorrel and mustard flowers This has become a popular choice for food travelers Yes it is a good idea to try Champenois burgers (and hot dogs and fried chicken wings) and pair them with bubbly What began as a food truck has turned into an institution and the occasional record producer who passes through town Dishes (starting at $15) are named after locally relevant historical figures — the Clovis the François I — and served with craft beer or natural wines and Champagnes the owners have now brought their vibe to the historic town with Sacré Bistro If you’re prepared to drop “une petite fortune” (ranging between $165 to more than $560 per person) on a restaurant experience who earned his third Michelin in 2014 for this gastronomic restaurant-hotel he took over from his parents is not only a champion of local food and wine producers but among the most vocal activists of sustainable fishing and agriculture and seasonal While the food menu may be short (only a few options per course) the Champagne selection runs 1,000 references deep Lallement pays tribute to the excellence of French products with tremendous skill and respect for the artisans that make his work possible Champagne has been shockingly limited in quality there has been a shortage of hotels to meet demand Here are a few hotels and inns you’ll be happy to check into after a long day of touring and tasting Fans of room service will be particularly interested in the “Champagne Please” button on room phones at The Royal Champagne Hotel & Spa which summons a trolley of bubbles to your door The region’s first luxury wellness establishment with panoramic views of the vines (specifically The property can arrange a variety of different outdoor experiences in the region but among the best is participating in the harvest with one of the pioneers of biodynamic Champagne-making there’s an unbelievable 16,000-square-foot spa and pool (plus an outdoor pool) a bistro and a one-Michelin-star gastronomic restaurant with food-and-Champagne pairing menus that highlight a different house each month and Champagne concierges available to arrange tours Little remains of this late 19th-century manor’s original decor but since being restored in 2015 and later opened as a 12-room hotel the three-story Château once again draws in locals and visitors to its supreme location on a hillside surrounded by vines done up with both contemporary furnishings and antique treasures dine in the restaurant’s glass-enclosed sunroom and finish the night by the fireplace with one of six rotating Champagnes This is a five-room guesthouse from the biodynamic Champagne house Leclerc Briant bringing together sleek Scandi design with an impressive array of French antiques and vintage furnishings in an 18th-century residence sun-drenched dining room done up in hand-painted Zuber wallpaper but there is no on-site restaurant for lunch or dinner Guests can book a private tour of the Leclerc Briant winery and/or head to the ground-floor boutique and tasting room to try (and buy) the house’s complete range this late 19th-century manor house has been owned and run as a10n-room guesthouse by the Jacques Selosse Champagne estate in Avize run by Anselme Selosse and his wife Corinne (Selosse remains hugely influential in championing terroir-specific wines) you may be offered the chance to try Substance produced from a single chardonnay vineyard in Avize using the solera system (blending successive vintages) and one of the house’s most exceptional wines A three-room bed & breakfast with shared kitchen set up in an 18th-century farmhouse run by Juan Sanchez and his associates at Le Garde Champêtre overlooking the Seine river in the southernmost edge of Champagne Completely renovated by architect Alexis Cautain and interior designer Kelly Lippmann in the summer of 2020 Le Garde Champêtre restaurant is a 10-minute walk away along the river Lindsey Tramuta is a Paris-based writer and the author of The New Paris and The New Parisienne: The Women & Ideas Shaping Paris. Joann Pai is a food & travel photographer in Paris The freshest news from the food world every day Would you like to take a walk in the trees Here are the best accrobranche spots around Paris Located in the heart of the Parc Floral de Paris the Parc Floral accrobranche is a great open-air playground nestled in the heart of the Parisian countryside allows you to climb up to 12 m in altitude You’ll then be free to roam the rope park as you please: over zip wires over lianas and more… You’ll love it 📍31, rue Pierre de Coubertin – Champagne-sur-Seine Here, we push ourselves and we’re not afraid to challenge ourselves. No limit aventure has the largest footbridge in France! The latter (40m high, after all) will give you plenty of thrills! Then it’s on to the traditional monkey bridges, giant zip lines and more. Frankly, with a setting like the forest of Fontainebleau, you couldn’t dream of anything better, could you? 📍Route de Sens “Les Palis” – Nemours Just 20 minutes from Porte de Bercy, we invite you to follow in the footsteps of Tarzan and his friends. Come and challenge the park’s 7 courses, graded according to difficulty. Located literally 5 minutes from Disneyland Resort Paris, you’ll love this family-friendly accrobranche. 📍Autoroute A4 sortie 13, RD 231 – Bailly Romainvilliers Located in the heart of France’s Oise regional park, Sherwood Parc is a magical place for tree climbing. Firstly, because of its magnificent setting, surrounded by castles, trails and wildlife. The bravest will try out the longest zip line in Ile-de-France, which starts at a height of 18 metres. Thrills guaranteed This indoor accrobranche in Paris will be a favorite playground for the whole family. Here, you can enjoy a huge space, and try to challenge your friends in a Ninja Warrior-style sports course. We love celebrating the whole family’s birthdays here, and taking advantage of the park’s many attractions. 📍10, rue de la Croix Martre – Palaiseau making a bold entry into the otherwise staid sunset cruise business that may be popular with many visitors but isn’t exactly known for its revolutionary cuisine before returning to the 16th arrondissement with a sail past the Eiffel Tower The Ducasse restaurant group will oversee the on-board food and while specific menus haven’t yet been released and five-course menus with or without wine pairings Prices start at €100 ($116) for a three-course lunch and rise to €500 ($580) for a five-course dinner with Champagne and wine plus “a special gift to take away.” Designers Maurizio Galante and Tal Lancman will handle the interiors for the ship—and they know a bit about nautical projects, having recently completed Off Paris Seine, a floating hotel that opened in Paris in the summer of 2016. The Ducasse sur Seine is scheduled to start sailing on September 4. What if you went on holiday in the Aube region in France There is no risk of getting bored there: between the town of Troyes and its typical timber-framed houses the champagne cellars and the numerous outdoor activities But it is another facet of the Aube that attracted me: the meeting with the many personalities who have marked the territory in this travel guide I offer you a 100% cultural itinerary in Aube in the footsteps of some famous figures… Find all the addresses mentioned in this article on this map places cut off from the rest of the world where you can immerse yourself in a captivating artistic universe The young Camille Claudel Museum in Nogent-sur-Seine is one of them since Camille Claudel spent her adolescence here and trained alongside Alfred Boucher before leaving to work in Rodin’s studio.  Thanks to the acquisition of the largest collection of works by Camille Claudel in 2008 Nogent-sur-Seine presents in this museum a vast panorama of the work of this sculptor but also an overview of French sculpture The aim is to give an overview of the works that Camille Claudel came into contact with those that forged her vision and thus to better perceive the singularity of this woman artist who represented emotions so well The Camille Claudel museum is an enchanting place a real immersion in beauty which alone justifies spending a day in Nogent-sur-Seine But Camille Claudel is not the only personality in Nogent The town has also welcomed Gustave Flaubert several times whose bicentenary of birth we are celebrating this year The writer regularly came to visit cousins in Nogent and was inspired by several places in Nogent for his novel L’éducation sentimentale You can discover the town by following the “Flaubert walk” which will lead you in the footsteps of the famous writer Several panels will allow you to read extracts from his work in relation to the places that inspired them Nothing could be simpler: from the Paris Est station several trains take you there every day in less than an hour it’s a 5-10 minute walk to the Camille Claudel Museum and the historic centre Tip: take a trip to the “Bateau lavoir” an old wash boat has been converted into a tourist office So don’t hesitate to go there to glean valuable information on places to visit in the area or simply to find your way around the town – Quai Carbonel particularly around cheese or charcuterie boards  – 5 rue de l’Etape au vin Going to the La Motte-Tilly castle is like visiting a rich friend This residence is so welcoming that you quickly feel at home and could see yourself settling there take advantage of your visit to the town of Camille Claudel to push open the doors of this enchanting castle which makes it very difficult to reach by bike or on foot About thirty kilometres from Nogent-sur-Seine discover the collegiate church of Villemaur Built in the 11th and 12th centuries when the village was in its heyday the collegiate church fell into disuse in the 15th century when the plague epidemic caused the inhabitants to leave it is distinguished by its wooden bell tower a “poor man’s bell tower” which testifies to the limited means of the population But the most impressive feature is the rood screen inside which is celebrating its 500th anniversary this year The rood screens mark a separation between the choir and the nave of the churches thus distinguishing the part dedicated to the faithful from that reserved for the clergy Following a liturgical reform in the 16th century aimed at making the choir visible to the faithful most rood screens were destroyed so that only about fifty remain in France It is therefore particularly remarkable that the rood screen of Villemaur has survived this collegiate church is not accessible by public transport Today the Collegiate Church of Villemaur-sur-Vanne needs to be restored. A fundraising campaign is open on the Fondation du Patrimoine if you wish to contribute to the building in the church of Sainte Madeleine in Troyes it is difficult to miss Napoleon as we celebrate the bicentenary of his death the emperor’s shadow is clearly visible: one of his statues welcomes you in front of the town hall it is because he passed through three times: he stayed here between 1779 and 1784 at the military school he made a short visit in 1805 on his way to Italy where he was going to be crowned and then he returned here in 1814 on the occasion of the battle of Brienne The town still has some memories of the emperor and his troops’ visit to these lands You will find the tomb of Admiral Basque in the cemetery a statue of Marshal Sylvain Jacques Valée and a Napoleon museum which has been housed since the end of the 1960s in what remains of the former Military School where the emperor studied This museum adopts a thematic presentation that evokes the image of Napoleon his administrative reforms and of course his time at the Brienne school Bonus tip: Take advantage of your visit to the town to see the church The stained glass windows above the choir were donated by the Emperor Stop at the Table du 13 bis for a gourmet meal based on traditional dishes – 13 bis boulevard Napoléon the land of Avalleur was given to the Order of the Temple Multiple donations allowed this commandery to develop considerably part of whose income was used to finance the Crusades the Templars were arrested and their property dispersed The commandery of Avalleur then passed into the hands of the Hospitallers and became one of the richest of the Order It is one of the rare Templar ensembles still preserved in France that the Aube department numerous events are organised to bring the history of the commandery to life Take advantage of your visit to Avalleur to make a small diversions and discover Essoyes the town where Auguste Renoir spent thirty summers in search of peace and inspiration now classified as a “Maison des Illustres” allows you to plunge into the world of the painter in a visit that is as touching as it is fascinating The hotel offer is rich in Aube but I recommend that you put your bags down in Troyes whose historic heart is particularly charming and which can easily serve as a stopover between two visits I recommend the Brit Hôtel Les Comtes de Champagne located in the heart of the city in a typical timber-framed house The rooms are medieval style with four-poster beds but the amenities are modern so you can enjoy the charm of the old houses without giving up comfort Slow tourism, visits around Champagne, shopping sessions, bike rides, family activities… Aube offers many activities! You can find several ideas for experiences on the Aube en Champagne website This article was produced in partnership with the Aube en Champagne Tourism Agency Thanks to Sandy from the ADT for her warm welcome and to Clarisse from the Airpur agency for the organisation of my stay Δdocument.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value" This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.  Learn more recevez le meilleur de Culturez-vous dans votre boite mail 2023Restored paneling frames the dining room.Photo: Tommaso Sartori.Save this storySaveSave this storySaveAll products featured on Architectural Digest are independently selected by our editors we may receive compensation from retailers and/or from purchases of products through these links At the historic Family home of Louis Vuitton in Asnières-sur-Seine an Art Nouveau addition extends from the original white-stucco house as well as an active celebration of the brand’s long history of handcraft A bay of stained-glass windows frames an archival monogram Trunk As the Vuitton children played in the garden amid climbing roses and stoic trees they could hear artisans in the atelier next door hammering and sawing poplar planks for the company’s famous canvas-covered malles The living room’s ceramic chimneypiece re-creates the Art Nouveau original Not a subscriber? 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In the galactic Klingon language of Star Trek an appropriate toast may have been for 2021 yIn DaSIQjaj With our Christmas dinner downsized to my dear wife and myself (and a 100 Parker point 1991 Napa Valley red blend) and news from the USA that three very close family members are now infected I believe that we should welcome in 2022 with a fine champagne and if possible Although you will find quite a few champagnes in our stores today I would like to mainly concentrate on the firm of Laurent Perrier that was founded in 1812 They are the largest family-owned producer and is all about blending and their cellar master Michel Fauconnet is responsible for selecting chardonnay pinot noir and pinot meunier from the 320 villages in the Champagne AOC area Seventeen are rated Grands Crus and 44 Premiers Crus and each year he must achieve the perfect balance between the new wines blended with older reserves to achieve the characteristic Laurent Perrier style Winemaking also means ageing these cuvées (blends) for long periods so that they are perfectly ready to enjoy as soon as they are released into the market French law stipulates that all non-vintage champagnes must age for a minimum of fifteen months before release and vintage ones for three years Laurent Perrier ages their non-vintage for a minimum of four years their rosé for five and their top cuvee for eight to ten Costly to do but this guarantees the finest end product To produce their Laurent Perrier La Cuvée Brut Non-Vintage they use a little over 50 per cent chardonnay Pinot noir varies between 30 and 35 per cent and this is rounded out with 10 to 15 per cent pinot meunier this last one being one of the many hundreds of clones of the pinot noir grape Up to 30 per cent of older reserve wines from their cellars are blended in to ensure perfect consistency of their “house style” Each year they select from over one hundred villages fine bubbles and a delicate nose with hints of fresh citrus and white flowers The wine’s complexity is expressed in successive notes such as those of vine peach and white fruit A perfect balance between freshness and delicacy then why not try Laurent Perrier Demi Sec Harmony Non-Vintage that English critic Jancis Robinson describes in this way Biscuits and nectarines and late-harvest apples But I'm not sure this is sweet enough for dessert Possibly with fresh strawberries and a spoonful of mascarpone.” For those not familiar with the practice of adding a liquer de dosage of sugar to the final blend after removing the sediment and dead yeast cells and before placing the final cork the amount can vary and thus control the range between dry (brut) We have a bottle of Laurent Perrier Cuvée Rosé on hand for the two of us to toast to a healthy and recovering world in 2022 It is the most recognised rosé champagne in the world Held in an elegant bottle inspired by King Henri IV it has been widely acknowledged for its consistent high quality for more than 40 years and it is the benchmark for rosé around the world Made with 100 per cent pinot noir from ten different crus from the north and south areas of the Montagne de Reims Grapes from carefully selected plots are meticulously sorted and de-stemmed before going into the vats and the controlled maceration helps with the colour extraction and the development of the full aromatic richness of the 100 per cent pinot noir from which it is made Intensely fruity flavours that are clean as they open to the sensation of freshly picked red berries: strawberries The final product is a blend of 50 per cent old reserve wines and 50% from the latest year The Côte-des-Bar is situated in the south of the Champagne appellation This renowned vineyard area represents a quarter of the total champagne production soils and unique exposures are ideal for pinot noir and so I would like to end with another 100 per cent pinot noir and in this case it is Devaux “Coeur des Bars” Blanc de Noir Non-Vintage this is a white wine made entirely from red grapes Colour is only imparted to the juice if it is left on the skins to extract colouring tannins Devaux was listed in Decanter magazine as one of the top ten fastest improving producers and the Revue du Vin de France has listed it as the best co-operative (group of vineyard owners) of France The Wine Enthusiast rates it 91/100 and comments packed with red and citrus fruits and a taut My best wishes for 2022 and a year of recovery and discovery with the James Webb space telescope This column is an advertorial for Burrows Lightbourn Ltd Contact Michael Robinson at mrobinson@bll.bm Burrows Lightbourn have stores in Hamilton (Front Street East You must be Registered or to post comment or to vote Which of the Throne Speech promises is the Government best equipped to deliver on View Results Alain Genty is an extraordinary and innovative bass player who has played with some of the best Breton bands including Gwerz Even though he is identified with the Breton music scene in Champagne and moved to Brittany in the 1980s studying Breton music and playing with local musicians During his early years he player progressive rock and later he drifted towards Celtic influenced music Genty lives in Paris nowadays but he travels to Brittany frequently to play with his old friends His current music style combines Breton and Scottish music with jazz and rock elements Genty’s bands have have included prominent Breton musicians such as Jackie Molard (violin) Patrick Molard (bagpipes) and Jean-Michel Veillon (flutes) as well as guitarist Tony McManus His masterpiece is the 5 piece bagad (bagpipe band) that he includes in his major festival shows In 2017, Genty released Eternal Tides along with Scottish singer and lyricist Joanne McIver Eternal Tides features various high profile guests such as Patrick Molard on biniou Eternal Tides is inspired by the departure for distant fishing its dangers; The nostalgia of the sweet childhood summers on the beach; The call of the native island; The songs of work on the port and also the history of Scotland (on the title “Culloden”) relative to the ultimate battle against the English Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked * Please enter an answer in digits:12 − 1 = Paris has taken on a new character as an amateur cyclist’s city – and it’s a great way to see the place SaveLog in or Subscribe to save articleShareCopy link Share via...Gift this articleSubscribe to gift this article Gift 5 articles to anyone you choose each month when you subscribe Chastel has been making a living for 30 years managing apartments on Île Saint-Louis in the middle of the Seine in central Paris Sandstone 17th-century buildings rise up over cobbled roads Joggers and pre-schoolers holding parents’ hands dominate streets in the morning; tourists throng in the afternoon and into the evening; locals of decades’ standing emerge as the crowds thin lingering against the stone walls and chatting in the mild spring evening art dealers and even a historic Polish library take up space in other buildings on the island Gift 5 articles to anyone you choose each month when you subscribe. 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The Sotheby\u2019s Wine Encyclopedia and Christie's World Encyclopedia of Champagne & Sparkling Wine He is considered one of the world\u2019s leading authorities on the wines of Alsace and Champagne.\u00a0 Delve into the niche world of grower Champagnes and you’ll find great value and a fascinating range of styles Growers are unlikely to dominate Champagne as they do Burgundy for the simple reason that most Champagne is consumed for celebratory purposes or served at swanky parties where But there is a buzz for grower products among aficionados who see Champagne primarily as a classic wine Trying to find a grower Champagne in the US in the mid 1990s was pointless America is awash with so many small producer specialists it’s embarrassing for the Brits who were the first to take these niche wines seriously https://www.decanter.com/wine/wine-regions/burgundy-wine/ Not all grower Champagnes are mono-crus (whereby all the grapes within come from a single cru) and a mono-cru is not But they allow tasters to see the stylistic differences between neighbouring villages such as Bouzy and Ambonnay for southern Montagne de Reims Pinot Noir or Avize and Cramant for Côte des Blancs Chardonnay When you taste 50 different Champagnes from the same village and vintage you realise it’s not easy but Pierre Gimonnet and Serge Mathieu are the epitome of grower Champagne but the rest of the best change positions annually Thus the following personal favourites are listed alphabetically ending with my ‘grower Champagne multiple’ of the moment All of these growers farm their vineyards according to sustainable viticulture except Larmandier-Bernier Archetypal Bouzy with delivery of strength through length; never heavy with excellent acidity and concentrated Pinot flavours dominating beautifully on the finish Cousins to the Chiquets of Champagne Jacquesson Antoine and Nicolas own 22ha of vineyards in Hautvillers Attention to quality extends to using a silicon insert in the base of their corks to prevent any TCA taint Stainless-steel fermentation gives a fruity Will go deliciously creamy-biscuity with age Wild yeasts ferment in enamel-lined vats and barriques Very good wines of classic structure that could improve age longer and more gracefully if the dosage (2-5g) were 8 or 9g as Brut Tradition is a blend of Egly-Ouriet’s vineyards in Ambonnay disgorged in September 2005) is still estery and young on the nose for a Champagne with more than three years on yeasts and more than 18 months post-disgorgement ageing rich Pinot flavours are impressive for a 2001-based blend The reverse of the usual grower-turned-négociant story Hérard et Fluteau was one of the first négociants in the Aube but Thierry Fluteau and his American wife Jennifer reverted to grower-producer status making Champagne from their own 9ha vineyard An impressive stainless-steel cellar was installed in 1996 and is still being added to with more technology A flexible approach to malolactic gives lots of fruit in these forward Yet more ridiculously easy-drinking Champagne from Fluteau Didier Gimonnet owns an impressive 28ha estate of almost all Chardonnay in Cuis He is one of Champagne’s greatest exponents of pure Chardonnay but he purchased 50ha of Pinot Noir split between Aÿ and Mareuil-sur-Aÿ enabling him to make a pure Pinot Noir Champagne called Paradoxe for the US market Stainless-steel fermented with malo systematically applied the hallmarks of Didier’s wines are purity and finesse Although Gimonnet has been shipping the 1999 (£28.14; Ear) since September 2006 which is already nicely evolved and boasts rich The only problem is that you’ll have to visit Gimonnet to get some Almost half of this amazing cuvée is from vines aged between 40 and 86 years Marie Doyard-Jacquart and her sommelier husband Matthieu Duval are keen to stamp their mark as the new generation of producers They will lower volume from 120,000 bottles and focus on fewer wines of higher quality The Jacquart style has always been crisp with light richness but recently there has been more elegance and oak influence Not pure Mesnil as it includes grapes from Jacquart’s vineyards in Vallée de la Marne and Aube There is distinctive new oak on the nose and delicately rich The finesse is heightened on the finish by impeccably minute bubbles The Larmandier and Bernier families have been vineyard owners on the Côte des Blancs since the Revolution There’s a strict pruning regime and minimal fertilising on the old vines Non-vintage blends get 40% reserve wines and the house style is enhanced by further bottle age for luscious ethereally light Chardonnay fruit destined to develop a lovely creamy The Mathieus have been growers in the Aube since at least 1760 but it was not until 1970 that the first Champagne was bottled under the family name by Serge Mathieu who created the ‘Billecart Salmon of grower Champagnes’ His daughter Isabelle and her husband Michel-Jacob now run the business but Serge still works in the cellars There are 11ha of picture-perfect vines and a superbly equipped winery Malolactic is carried out with great delicacy endowing these supremely elegant Champagnes with a creamy richness I defy anyone to guess blind that this light and elegant wine with its silky When I first tasted Vilmart in 1981 it was nothing special But after it introduced oak in the late 1980s I declared Vilmart to be ‘poor man’s Krug’ ‘mini Krug’ and ‘the greatest grower Champagne I know’ The accolade goes to M&S for launching four grower Champagnes with a soft-silky mousse to add finesse to the fruit on the finish