The Good Life France Magazine




The Good Life France Magazine brings you the best of France - inspirational and exclusive features, fabulous photos, mouth-watering recipes, tips, guides, ideas and much more...


Published by the award winning team at The Good Life France

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Issue No. 12

Sensational cities to tiny villages, food and wine, culture and heritage. Champagne, an aristocratic saffron grower, Anger, Montparnasse, Morzeine, Carol Drinkwater shares her passion for France. Gorgeous photos and fabulous features will transport you to the heart of France in this brilliant, free magazine...

Wine and Gastronomy This

Wine and Gastronomy This is not typical Champagne country as in bubbles, but the wine here is superb and you’ll find plenty of places to stop and taste, like the Domaine des Rubis in Bugnières run by two brothers who make fruit based wine. They produce sparkling, red, white and rosé plus Ratafia, an aperitif that packs a powerful punch. While you're there, pop across the road to the lovely vintage style café Estaminet Maison- Bertin. light bun with a delicious aroma. This area is definitely off the beaten tourist track, a beautiful, natural part of Champagne filled with picturesque villages, old castles and beautiful gardens… Another great place to taste is Muid Montsaugeonnais in Vaux Sous Aubginy. The vines were re-planted here in 1989 after being left to dwindle. 600 local people bought into the scheme to replant and raised about 2 million euros. They bought 13 hectares of land and planted 6000 vines per hectare and the wine they produce serves the local communes and is starting to make waves. Try the "Diderot", "Petit Langres" "Treasure" and "Rochers Lingons" - delicious chocolates made in Langres. Don’t miss the scrummy "Brioche du Pailly", it’s made with pure butter according to an age old recipe handed down from generation to generation, the result is a

How to get there: One of the easiest ways to get to the heart of the region is by train: Eurostar to Paris - Gare du Nord, then Gare de l’Est to Langres ( a little over 2.5 hours) Book at uk.voyages-sncf.com the UK's leading rail ticket agency and European rail expert. The area is best visited on wheels as public transport is not available to all areas. Where to eat: Auberge de la Fontaine in Villiers-sur- Suize – a lovely restaurant and terraced eating area where the food is authentic and the service is friendly. They also have a hotel where they’ll knock 10% off the bill if you’re on the pilgrim trail. Where to stay Push the boat out and spend at least one night at the stunning Hotel le Source Bleue. Made famous by French singer Charles Trenet who used to holiday here (he also sung “La Mer”). This hotel has a fabulous restaurant, beautifully luxurious rooms (or a gorgeous stone house or luxury gypsy caravans) and a garden that delivers absolute wow factor with its blue waters of the source of a spring - the "source bleue". Relax in style at the Clos Eugénie B&B in Culmont-Chalindrey, 11km from Langres. This beautiful old manor house has been exquisitely renovated and has gorgeous gardens – I’d go back there in a flash! See the tourist office website for a great choice of places to stay and things to do in the area: champagne-ardenne-tourism.co.uk