Champagne Country

Dormans WW1 monument

Farewell to Dormans

Monday - a very nice halte at Cumières complete with free water and electricity plus geraniums adorning the tops of the pontoon piles - very welcoming....

No shops at all, not even a boulangerie but every other building in the village, a champagne house. 

Champagne Country

The sculptures along the river bank tell the story of the making of champagne from the vines to the bottle.

Tuesday we left the lovely River Marne and entered the Canal Lateral - returned our lock zapper and then had to get used to twisting the pole to activate the locks. We've been on rivers for all but a few days since our arrival in France and it was quite a change to enter the canal system. Quickly sighted a beautiful red squirrel- a real chestnut brown colour; otherwise an uneventful trip to Châlons-en-Champagne.

There's a really modern, new halte here with great showers, new pontoons and in a good position just under the cathedral and looking towards the town gardens. 10€ a night including water and electric. 

We really like Châlons - a good mix of old and new and great walks. Yesterday we discovered one of only seven remaining indoor circus buildings in France. It's wonderfully restored and is used both for performances and as a circus school. We missed a performance on Tuesday evening - rats!!!

Circus School

This morning autumn had definitely arrived - cold when we got up and the horse chestnut trees are turning copper before our eyes. But the afternoons are still warm and sunny - hope it will last.

Autumn

Tomorrow we leave for Vitry-le-François.