Oeuilly

Oeuilly is only 15 kms from Epernay in the heart of the Champagne wine growing area. Everywhere we look there are grapevines. It is a small village with about 600 residents and it has a lovely feel to it. All that remains of an old castle is a rampart and today has hanging baskets of flowers along it.

The symbol of the village is the Ergret and there are many to see in the gardens.

L’Oeuillade en Champagne

We have been staying in Gite L’Oeuillade en Champagne in Oeuilly and what fabulous place to stay. Our host Jean-Eric is certainly a wonderful character. He is a retired professor from a nearby senior school and he and his wife have built and decorated the cottage themselves – and are very proud of their efforts. It is such a lovely and comfortable place to stay if you are every visiting the area.

Ogen

The nearby village of Ogen had some lovely champagne houses.

Châtillon-sur-Marne

In Châtillon-sur-Marne there is the French 1st World War cemetery of National Necropolis Le Prieuré de Binson. The crosses are testament to 2,671 soldiers who lost their lives during the fighting that took place in the Marne Valley. Between 1921 and 1934 the bodies of fallen soldiers from isolated graves were exhumed from nearby sites and this new cemetery was created to honour their service to France. They include soldiers from French colonial regiments such as Senegal, Côte d’Ivoire, Guinea and Mali. The church near the cemetery was also bombed and there was a photo of it then and you can see it as it is now in my photos.

At the top of the village the statue of Pope Urban II overlooks the valley below.

Chez Max in Epernay

On our last day in France we decided to lunch at Chez Max in Epernay. It of course was fabulous! Our entrees of asparagus and seafood were delicately flavoured, the red wine jus over the duck was a taste sensation, followed by a choice of local and iconic French cheeses and finally the dessert – what can I say!

Au revoir France

We are now driving back to Paris and making our way home. It has been a truely wonderful holiday and we have enjoyed France’s offerings so much. The food, the wine, the champagne, the backroads and countryside, the gorgeous villages we have visited and all our accommodations have been very comfortable, and the people have been very hospitable. Jim has chauffeured me everywhere in our Citroen C4 and has done so with excellent driving skills.

It would be nice to think we will be back one day…..