From Relais du Louvre in Paris to Les Crayeres in Reims, I’ve traveled from the wonderful ordinary to the most elegant. I’ve stayed in hotels with 3 stars and hotels receiving 5.
Les Crayeres
The range of amenities is great: from just a very small shower to a huge relaxing soaking tub and shower; from a simple single bed to four poster. Lunch at La Reserve Paris.
The rolling hills along the way from Paris to Reims are just lovely. Even in the late autumn the corn fields and wheat fields have a relaxing charm. Many of the fields have already been turned for the dark brown soil to patch the countryside. Small towns are here and there where the farmers live.
The Champagne Fields
It is unlike in the Midwest of the USA where farmers live on the land. Each little town has a small steeple church. The homes are of earthy colored tans and browns. We were on a main road, theA4, so we did not see the flowers and doorways I saw in an earlier rural trip here.
Tonight’s agenda included a 7:30 pm champagne cocktail in the bar. In Reims what does one have but champagne? One could get used to this life! I think we tasted 10 different champagnes. They were mostly white but a few roses. I certainly would have preferred a good Bordeaux with dinner, but alas, we are in Reims.
There were at least six courses at dinner, if not more. A truffle mouse warm, a pasta tart salad, then a cod followed by a veal so very tender. And of course a cheese course – conte. To top it off, a fig desert.
It was a most lovely dinner. We were a large group of 10; it would have been better with quieter company (a small two person group would be perfect) and more variety of wines, but as I said I am in Champagne country.
Tip of the evening: wine is not to be swirled in the glass as not to disturb the bubbles and the long flute glass is to keeps in the aroma. The hotel has a new tulip shaped glass and even served some in an almost barrel/tulip shaped glass.
Off to bed to prepare for tomorrow’s adventure. Stay tuned…
AlwaysHarriet 