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Reims
There is so much history associated with Reims, it is difficult to know where to begin! It was important during Caesar's time, and French kings were crowned here. It has been said that the French nation was born here in 498AD, while Joan of Arc escorted Charles VII here in 1429. However, today many visitors come to Reims because it is a wine-growing district and produces probably the lightest and subtlest champagne in the world. A highlight of any visit to this city is a tour of the vineyards and wine cellars; one of these being the famous Mumm estate, which has a labyrinth of tunnels and storage cellars containing nearly 25 million bottles of slowly-fermenting champagne! There are some superb attractions in Reims, but you will have to look for them. The Cathedrale Notre-Dame de Reims can be found on Place du Cardinal-Lucon. One of the world's most famous cathedrals, it was built on the site of a church that burned down in 1211. Its three western façade portals are spectacular and are decorated with a large number of statuettes. The Salle de Reddition was once a schoolhouse and was the scene of the German surrender on 7th May 1945. Situated on the aptly-named Rue de Franklin-D.-Roosevelt, it houses maps of the rail routes exactly as they were on the day of surrender. As a university city, Reims has a flourishing nightlife - just follow the students to the best places!