Reimes, France

We spent our second day in the unofficial capitol of the Champagne region, Reimes. The city is dominated by their Notre Dam (Cathedral of Our Lady), an impressive site. There were Sunday morning services going on while we were there and the acoustics were magical. French kings were crowned in the cathedral for over 1,000 years. 

Jude got into a chasing/fighting game with some little boys. He found out he was outmatched. Maeve continued to practice her walking.

We wandered the town while Jude slept. It was more beautiful than Rick Steves had me believe. The city was destroyed in WWI and the mayor encouraged rebuilding of any sort in the 20s, not adhering to any one style. It still felt completely French to me. The food market (not open) was art deco, which we'd never seen in Europe before.

Amazing mosaics depicting making Champagne with an impressive door to match!

We had a great lunch at a cute corner bistro. I had forgotten how French restaurants don't really do high chairs so we took turns holding squirmy Maeve. She was spent, too so Pete left to walk her while I sat sipping Champagne in the sunshine.

Bistro views while enjoying truffle risotto and Champagne.

Art Deco Food Market

When the kids were up, we found a large park with a playground. It also looked like there was some performance about to happen with a crowd gathered around a large gazebo. Turns out it was just a big community picnic, but it gave Jude lots of little boys to chase around!

Ducks also love french baguettes

Pile on sleepy daddy

As we headed back through town to get to the car parked next to the Cathedral, we admired more of the sights including this beautiful Victory memorial. Sadly, the nazis took the original gold Victory angel and melted down the gold so the city created a replica. Reminders of the horrors of past wars are everywhere in Europe. I wish more Americans had this constant reminder. I was thinking of this last Monday (the first monday of the month) when the regularly scheduled noon air raid sirens went off. It is a monthly reminder to be kind, accept your neighbors and maintain peace.

I knew there must be a carousel somewhere in Reimes, it being a sizable French city and all. When we found it, Jude was so excited, he couldn't contain his joy while I tried to take his picture near this cool fountain.

Carousel smiles

A final family photo with the gorgeous Cathedral before it was time to hit the road back home to Amstelveen.

 

Just your normal road trip pic, dinner at Micky Ds. Only difference was Jude yelling from the tube play area, "I don't understand what the kids are saying!" Back in the car in their jammies, the kids fell asleep and we returned to our dust covered, construction site home by 10:30pm. A super successful spontaneous trip!