Saturday May 14

We are at Mumm as I write this. Today we got out around 10am, had cafe au lait and chocolate then walked about a bit to find a pâtisserie. We found a very nice one and got a couple of palmiers. Then we strolled about the pedestrian area of Reims and watched traditional dancers as we nibbled.



We made it to the Mars Gate and then to Casanova Champagne - no tours until 3pm and it was 11ish. I was bad and left our map in the hotel room. We saw a sign for the Musee de la Reddition. By following signs for cars we went WAY out of our way to find the museum. By the time we arrived it was 12:15 and the museum closed at noon. I took a picture for Lee!

We headed back toward the hotel and ended up at Grand Cafe where we had an enjoyable lunch and a friendly waiter. Six oysters for me, Cesar salads for each of us, a strawberry tarte for dessert and a bottle of rose to wash it all down.

After lunch we walked to Mumm and took the tour which lasted about an hour and then was followed by a tasting of Cordon Rouge and Millesime 2002. It was a nice tour though very typical of a sparkling wine producer. We had a very interesting late addition to our tour, a young Asian women who asked lots of questions. It seemed that she wanted to learn as much as she could about Champagne production. she said she wanted to sell Champagne in China.

After the tour we walked back to the city center. We passed a building that did not appear to be in use. There were mosaics that seemed to indicate it was related to champagne production. A little research later and it turns out this was a building Mumm built around 1900. I was remiss and did not photograph it - I suppose I was tired. Here is a link to a photo: http://www.flickr.com/photos/ruamps/4061558616/in/photostream/

We came upon a wedding at the Hotel de Ville and took some pics of the bridal party and the bride tossing her bouquet. An interesting diversion. We then went to Galleries Lafayette. Colby got socks and Sharon got a hot pink sweater - very attractive. After a couple of kirs went went to relax in our room. I went for a walk with a Cuban cigar and then we dressed for dinner at Brasserie Martin. We each had entrecote with frites and salad along with a bottle of a Medoc and then finished with regional cheeses for Colby and a coupe cafe llegeois for Sharon. Back to our room at 11:45 and a Skype call with Kathy.

Bon Nuit!