A Taste of Provence. ©

A Taste of Provence. © Exquisite, all-inclusive, small group toursto Provence and beyondChampagne tunnel, Epernay photo © Randy Romano via CanvaChampagne bars start sprouting like trufflesunder an oak tree. Tables groan under theweight of bottles. The streets fill with peoplewho promenade along the mile (1.5 km) longAvenue, stopping to sample a glass here andthere, to admire the son et Lumière shows ordance at a pop-up disco.Beneath your feet in this refined city, aremiles and miles of magnificent champagnecellars. They were first constructed hundredsof years ago to hold the precious fizz -making this one of the most prosperousstreets in the world. It’s estimated a whopping200 million bottles of Champagne are heldunderground here in around 60 miles (90km) of cellars, billions of dollars worth, quietlyageing to perfection.The first to dig out the chalky soil to keep hiswine in, was Claude Moët, founder of themaison that still carries his name. He neededsomewhere dark and cool with a steadytemperature to keep the bottles of fermentingChampagne. Others followed his lead.In 1807 Napoleon Bonaparte took a tour ofMoët’s cellars, a fan of Champagne “…Invictory one deserves it; in defeat one needsit” he once said. He left his tricorne hatbehind, it’s still there. Legend has it that thetradition of sabrage, opening a Champagnebottle with a sword, is said to have beeninvented by Napoleon’s troops as a way tocelebrate their victories.CastellaneIf you want to find out more about the historyof Champagne, pop in to the ChampagneWine and Regional Archaeology Museumwhich was the former home (Chateau Perrier)and reception rooms of Champagne makerPierre Nicolas Perrier (now Maison Perrier-Jouët). Let’s just say those champagnemakers of old made a lot of money and theycertainly knew how to spend it. You’ll discover“If you have everconsidered culinarytourism, Goût et Voyagewill be the trip of yourdreams. Excellenceat every turn!”DS, NYwww.goutetvoyage.com20 | The Good Life France The Good Life France | 21