Colmar

Colmar is the third-largest commune of the Alsace region in north-eastern France. It is known for its beautiful old buildings.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

This merchant’s house, built in 1609 by a big-shot winemaker (that's him on the roof with a bottle of wine), is decorated with about 100 faces and masks.

 

 

Here are just a few.

 

 

There are also some great old-style signs.

 

 

 

 

 

 

The man carved into the side of this building was a drapemaker; he’s shown holding a bar, Colmar’s local measure of about one meter (almost equal to a yard). In the Middle Ages, it was common for cities to have their own units of length.

 

 

 

 

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Reims

We wandered around town first thing this morning and there is much to see.

There is gorgeous Art Nouveau and Art Deco architecture everywhere.

 

 

 

 

This is the entrance to the Andrew Carnegie library.

 

 

These mosaics are on the top of a champagne producer's building. They depict (you guessed it!) the champagne process.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Then we visited the Basilica of Saint Remi. It had some fun critters on the outside.

 

 

But the really amazing stuff was on the inside.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Reims

Our first day in Reims (pronounced "rance", like France without the "F"). Since we were in the heart of the champagne area we decided to start off with a visit to a champagne producer (yes, this was first thing on a Sunday morning!). We decided to tour Taittinger which was founded in 1734 and is one of the larger producers. We were given a tour of the underground limestone caves where the champagne is stored for aging and then enjoyed a tasting of this wonderful product.

 

 

 

 

 

Afterward we visited the cathedral, Notre-Dame de Reims, where the kings of France were crowned. In 2011, the city of Reims celebrated the cathedral's 800th anniversary. The front of the church is being restored and is covered in scaffolding. The style is flamboyant gothic.

 

 

Here is a postcard showing what it should look like.

 

 

There are some great gargoyles.

 

 

 

 

And lots of weird heads and critters.

 

 

 

 

Inside ...

 

 

 

 

... there are gorgeous stained glass windows.

 

(This one is partially hidden by scaffolding.)

 

 

 

This one was paid for by the region's champagne producers.

 

 

A close-up of part of the center window shows that the scenes are of the champagne making process.

 

 

This angel by one of the doors has become the symbol for Reims.

 

 

And this motif near another door shows what will happen to sinners.

 

 

 

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