What do I do when I’m in Champagna? I go to the “cradle of champagne”- Hautvillers. I’m skipping several of Sigeric’s Via Francigena stages between Reims and Vitry en Francaise. By train and a very short taxi ride, I’m in Hautvillers.

This small village became the home for Pierre Perignon, later Dom Perignon, or really Dom Pierre as he was usually addressed. Born in 1639, he became a Benedictine monk. For 47 years as Abbot, he organized and oversaw a dozen monks at the Abbey of Hautvillers. According to legend, he developed the process of a second fermentation stage for changing wine into champagne. And, that about ends my knowledge of champagne making!

His champagne became famous. Apparently Louis XIV, the Sun King, threw down many glasses. As I walked the six streets of Hautvillers, a very small village, my eyes were attracted to the wrought iron signs. Some very old; some only fifty years old. They are a real works of art, and advertisement!

Enjoy.