Reims & Verdun

Different as night and day, bubbly Reims and brooding Verdun offer worthwhile stops between Paris and Alsace. The administrative capital of the Champagne region, bustling, modern Reims greets travelers with cellar doors wide open. It features a lively center, a historic cathedral, and, of course, Champagne tasting. Often overlooked, quiet Verdun is famous for the brutal World War I battles that surrounded the city and pummeled the countryside, and offers an exceptional opportunity to learn about the Great War.