House in Champagne

Welcome

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View of the Massif St Thierry and the Vesle-Valley from the oeuil de boeuf - the beef's eye window at the top floor.

Our house is situated in the old part of an old winegrower's village in Champagne.

The village is beautifully situated on the northern slopes of the Montagne de Reims. 20 minutes to Reims in one direction and Épernay in another. The new TGV-station in Bézannes, a 15 minutes drive, connects you with the world: Paris Est in 45 minutes and Charles de Gaulle airport in 30 minutes. The A4 road, that connects you with Paris in one end and Strasbourg in the other, is reached in Reims, 20 minutes away.

Our village is built half way up the slopes. The streets are narrow and steep. Memories of rural Champagne are everywhere. Here and there a winegrower's house, here and there his vendangeoir, the place where people live at grapeharvest time, or a hotel particulier. A villa of the 1900's and probably built for money, made from champagne.

On the top of the slopes the magnificent Natural Park of Montagne de Reims begins with it's impressive wildlife, famous beech trees Faux de Verzy and many paths. On the slopes the vineyards of Montagne de Reims. Mainly planted with Pinot Noir grapes. All destined for champagne and a bit of still wine.

The village has all shops, you need to live: Baker, butcher, grocery store, hair dresser, postoffice and banks amongst others. The next village has a small super market and a tiny weekly market as it is still very common in France.

All schools until the age of 15 are here: Ecole maternelle for the 3-5 year olds, Ecole elementaire for the 6-11 year olds and college for the 12-15 year olds. Lycée and university are in Reims (20 minutes drive). Even a creche for the 0-3 year olds are to be found here.

The village also has a doctor, physiotherapy and pharmacy. Garage for your car.

Yard

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Garden

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All old, all new

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Our house is old.

From the 1860'es, we learned from the tax authorities long after we bought it. Originally two houses, and probably built to house railway workers 150 years ago.

The inside of the house reflects it's age. However everything is modernized from A to Z to fit the life of a modern family.

New floors, new electricity, plugs for computer and tv in all rooms. New walls where necessary. New stairs. New paint everywhere. New shelves, specially made to fit the old cupboards of the house. New heaters always placed under the windows.

We've put down walls to have the light travel even more around the corners. The big windows in teak allows a maximum of sun in the house, but as they are double, they keep the heat inside when needed.

The house is heated with gas.

Cave

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Staircases

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Staircase that leads to the attics.

Staircase that leads to the first floor.

The staircases are made to fit each other and the teak windows, that are double glass and everywhere.