Paris1972-Versailles2003

One of my favorite cities, region,and one of the first cities that I visit in France way back in 1990. It has become a fixture ever since with many family trips and even weekend getaways; even if lately from the Morbihan has not been so. It is a tender family story as my dear late wife Martine used to work picking grapes near here to save for schooling together with her other sisters and brothers who followed.  Reims is in the Department of the Marne No 51 in the region now of Grand Est old Champagne-Ardenne; east of Paris. I like to tell you about my memorable moment with the family that has remained very vivid. Of course, I have several other posts on Reims in my blog.fyi

One spot I always like to walk and marvel of its architecture and history is the Place Royale. In the center, was a monument dedicated to Louis XV .The royal statue was destroyed during the French revolution, then, replaced in 1818 by a bronze representing the king as a Roman emperor. Sublime walks of Reims and a new picture in the blog with another angle.

Next, even if has closed a while back, it remained a favorite anecdote for the family. We/I rush in my road warrior ways into city center Reims looking for the Cathedral and it was past mid day. Knowing my adopted country things for eating would be scarse. Just by the corner facing the Notre Dame Cathedral I saw the restaurant Le Colibri and went in without any reservation. The welcome was awesome, and immediately found us a table by the piano in the back, which was already playing!!

The Le Colibri was at  12 rue Chanzy. As said, it has been closed for a while but nevertheless this blog is my life’s history and this place is part of it, memories forever.  Very cozy French traditional, and elegant. Our family love it. A pleasant setting, friendly and welcoming staff… Simple and smiling people, professionals to boot… A kitchen to die for, for me this experience was an explosion of flavors… Extremely good products presented and highlighted .. The reception was impeccable, the room decor and plates is relevant and pretty. Our meal was very pleasant,too bad it has closed. Again ,here for the memories of always.

My fav Yelp reviews still has a feature of the Le Colibri with pictures to enjoy again: https://www.yelp.com/biz/le-colibri-reims-2

For further references:

The city of Reims on its heritage: https://www.reims.fr/la-ville-de-reims/reims-et-son-patrimoine

The official Reims tourist office: https://en.reims-tourisme.com/

The Champagne/Marne tourist office on Reims things to see: https://www.tourisme-en-champagne.co.uk/sites-monuments#path=commune/REIMS

There you go folks, a dandy set of beautiful streets in wonderful sublime Reims! Travel is for memories of always and sometimes we are lucky to be back, I will, eventually. Hope you enjoy the post as I.  And remember, happy travels, good health, and many cheers to all !!!

Coming ,writing about Luxembourg brings back many memorable family trips, and makes me once again wanting to go back, which we will eventually. We like the country and road warrior it all over but initially started out on Luxembourg city, the capital. After a few trips we decided to venture out into the countryside and read a brochure about a shopping center so we went for a shopping spree in Mersch. This is an updated post with fresh text and links, Hope you enjoy the post as I.

One of the smallest but nicest countries in Europe, and one of our favorites. The fairy tale Duchy of Luxembourg, right smack in between Germany and France. It was not far from me and the autoroute /expressway got me there in four hours legal speed driving time. Now it is almost double far but we have visited anyway. Let me tell you a bit about the shopping center Topaze of Mersch !  We were in Luxembourg city wondering what to do next and saw a shopping center here, oooh well the wife got on and we came, simple as that…!  We drove north to Mersch, and here you have the shopping center Topaze ,and great bargains there too. But first let me tell you a bit about Mersch that we like for future visits.

Now we really came here for Topaze.  At Shopping Center Topaze located at Route de Colmar-Berg  easy access from the  N7 (where we were) or the autoroute A7 exit/Sortie N°5 Mierscherbierg. Here you can find more than 45 different brands on 2 floors .The Match supermarket The fitness center in upper floor . Free parking and gas/petro station very convinient. The stores we like were the Supermarché Match ,Pizza Hut, C&A , H&M( now gone) , and Mano shoes. We did some groceries, lunch atPizza Hut as well for the good old time’s sake! (see post)

Mersch is located in the Alzette valley a tributary of the Sûre river, the town is located at the confluence of the Mamer and Eisch rivers . The geographical center of Luxembourg is located on the territory of the town!  The town has a train station ,but we have none of it, It is connected to the national road network by the national roads N7 and N8 as well as by the A7. Which roads are what we do here!  Some of the things to see here ,and worth the detour and return are : the castle erected by the first lord of Mersch, Theodoric, as a fortified castle in 1232. In 1603, during the disorder caused by the conflict between the King of Spain (who was also Duke of Luxembourg) and the Spanish Netherlands, the castle was burned down. At the end of the 17C, Count Jean Frédéric d’Autel had the castle rebuilt in its current state. The town became the owner of the castle in 1957. In 1988, it installed its administration there as city and canton hall. The Saint-Michel Church was built in the mid-19C in the neoclassical style and the frescoes in the choir date from 1936. There is ,also, the menhir of Reckingen.

The official Shopping Center Topaze: https://www.topaze.lu/

The city of Mersch on things to do and see: https://www.mersch.lu/sports-tourisme/brochures-touristiques-mersch

The Luxembourg country tourist office on Mersch: https://www.visitluxembourg.com/mersch

There you go folks, a nice ride and wonderful shopping and our favorite pizza chain can’t beat the ride. If you combine that with picturesque beautiful Mersch, Luxembourg than you are in for a treat. Hope you enjoy the post as I and do visit.

And remember, happy travels, good health, and many cheers to all !!!