The best road cycling routes around Épernay

In a brochure entitled "A Call for Peace, Because Peace Is Possible," Father Klaus Schäfer of the Pallottine Order (Societas Apostolatus Catholici), founded in the mid-19th century by Saint Vincent Pallotti, writes: "The large military cemeteries of the two World Wars, not only those located in France, clearly demonstrate that former enemies can become friends. After the two bloodbaths of these nations, there were no recriminations about who shot first, who was more guilty, who was more cruel... instead, there was a clean break and a genuine new beginning. For this reason, the large military cemeteries of the two World Wars are worthy of being declared World Heritage Sites. This is not to elevate war to the status of culture, but to show the world that even after such a bloody past, peace is possible. Europe has shown us: PEACE IS POSSIBLE. Former enemies can become friends, true friends." (Fr. Klaus Schäfer SAC)

A magnificent architectural jewel nestled in the heart of this historic French city. This elegant opera house, with its rich history and vibrant programming, plays a vital role in the cultural life of Reims, captivating audiences with its splendid performances and significantly contributing to the city's artistic identity. The origins of the Opéra de Reims date back to the 19th century. Built in 1873, the original structure, designed in the neoclassical style, was a testament to the city's ambition and its thriving cultural scene. However, the devastation of the First World War severely damaged the building, leaving it in ruins. This setback, however, did not deter the city's commitment to the arts. The opera house was meticulously rebuilt in the 1930s, embracing the then-popular Art Deco style. Architects François Maille and Louis Sollier skillfully blended historical elements with the sleek lines and geometric shapes characteristic of the Art Deco movement, creating a unique and captivating architectural statement. The result is a building that seamlessly blends historical grandeur with modern aesthetics, a testament to the city's resilience and commitment to the arts. https://operadereims.com/

Unfortunately, performances are only irregular, so check the program in good time.

The opera, with its 750-seat Italian Hall, is a must-see on any tour of Reims' Art Deco heritage. Behind the preserved 19th-century facade, the architects completely restructured the interior in the spirit of the Théâtre des Champs-Élysées in Paris after the First World War: bas-reliefs, ironwork, chandeliers, paintings...

The theater's opening night on March 3, 1873, featured prestigious performers from the Comédie-Française and Paris Opera, and the venue was one of the first in the region to replace gas lighting with electricity in 1888 for enhanced fire safety.

The Reims Opera House was designed by local architect Alphonse Gosset and inaugurated in 1873, featuring neoclassical exterior architecture combined with distinctive Art Deco interior decoration added during its 1931 reconstruction. The original theater was destroyed during World War I when German bombardment caused the dome and grand chandelier to collapse, making it the last public building to be reconstructed in Reims after the war. The current venue seats 790 people and boasts impressive technical facilities with three levels below the stage for machinery and four levels behind for dressing rooms.

Between 1872 and 1884, the concierge and the orangery were built on the outer edge of a vast park, according to plans by the architect Alphonse Gosset (1835-1914)[5]. In 1920, the park was acquired by the municipality with the Auban-Moët mansion and opened to the public. The part of the park around the town hall is laid out in the French style, to emphasise the classical and sober facade of the building. It consists of a grass path and two symmetrical access paths arranged in a horseshoe shape around a fountain. It is decorated with two bronze lions, cast iron statues of ancient gods and various other statues. The other part of the park is laid out in the English style: it is crossed by hilly paths, groves, two pools of water, an artificial island and a rocky grotto with a waterfall. On this side of the garden is a temple of love, built of limestone. This belvedere with Corinthian columns has a coffered ceiling. It is inspired by the Temple of Love in the Petit Trianon in Versailles. The City Hall Park has the label "Remarkable Garden".🪴 In

Épernay Town Hall is located at number 7bis in the former Auban-Moët mansion, built in 1858 by Victor Moët (1797–1881)[5] to a design by the architect Victor Le Noir, who also designed the Montparnasse railway station in Paris. In the early 19th century, Jean-Baptiste Isabey had the building redesigned in a classical style for Jean-Remy Moët, owner of the Hôtel Auban-Moët and mayor of Épernay. The current layout dates from 1857 and is the work of the brothers Denis and Eugène Bühler. It was donated to the city in 1919, which took it into use as a town hall in 1920. The building houses luxurious rooms, including the wedding hall and the council chamber. The building has been listed as a French Historical Monument since 26 June 2012.[5][6]