Champagne

One good reason to visit this part of the world is to enjoy the world famous wine and visit the famous vineyards and chateaux, but once in Champagne, there is so much more to see. Cathedrals, medieval churches, castles and idyllic villages are dotted around this region, and it also has the advantage of not being as overpopulated as some more obvious tourist spots in France. An hour and a half from Paris or a few hours from Calais, Champagne has much to offer and is a perfect destination for a long weekend or a few nights as part of a longer itinerary. Explore the countryside or forests, take to the air in a hot air balloon, enjoy the tastings or traditional delights of local vineyards, visit the many historical building and picnic in fields of summer flowers. Explore the city of Reims, visit one of the famous champagne houses like Taittinger. Built on the site of a 13th-century Benedictine abbey, the cellars still have the remains of the arched staircases which once led to the sacristy, as well as secret tunnels to Reims Cathedral. Take in Chagall's mesmerizingly beautiful windows at Reims Cathedral, before setting off for lunch at a local Champenois restaurant. This is an area to spend time just relaxing within easy distance of Paris.