Smart Travels Europe with Rudy Maxa: France's Champagne Region / Normandy

Two episodes plus bonus clips France's Champagne Region / Normandy The Champagne region of France bubbles over with fine wine, gourmet cuisine, picturesque towns and gothic spires. We base in Reims, home of the historic cathedral where French kings were crowned. We visit champagne producers large and small. In the medieval town of Troyes, we shop for fine chocolate and discover a collection of modern art. The city of Charleville delights with its golden architecture and tradition of puppetry. Our final destination is Sedan, the largest castle in Europe. TIPS on how to buy quality champagne and touring wine country. From a dramatic, historic coast to rural pastures, Normandy abounds with apple orchards, enchanting villages, stunning abbeys and sparkling seaports. We base in the lovely seaside town Honfleur. At Giverny, and in the museums in Rouen and Honfleur, we discover the birth of Impressionism. Near the famous beaches of Normandy, the Norman Conquest unfolds in the Bayeux tapestry and we remember the poignant victory of World War II's D-day. Cider and cheese draw us to the lovely farmland just inland from Honfleur. Our journey ends at the awe-inspiring Abbey of Mont-St-Michel. TIPS on car rental, shopping for antiques and touring cider country.

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