Hot in the city

A missed train at a small provincial station didn’t stop us from venturing into Reims this afternoon, a marvellous city where many of France’s monarchs where once coronated and Hitler’s defeated Nazi’s signed the unconditional surrender in 1945. Parking on the outskirts we jumped on the metro and were soon in the thick of the action.

With the sun beating down kids frolicked in the fountains and smartly dressed Rémois couples browsed the boutiques. Now it can’t be easy existing in the shadows of a giant worldly neighbour such as Paris, but Reims seems to manage it with ease. The laid back nature of the city along with its world renowned champagne houses and impressive gothic cathedral lends itself to an air of sophistication, even coolness.

This was no more in evidence than when we visited a cafe for a late dinner. A glass of the local bubbly was washed down with what can only be described as the best Thursday afternoon playlist I’ve ever heard. The Spinners followed Sade, Kim Carnes - Dido. I praised the young bar lad on his eclectic taste in music and after a few minutes electronically trading unheard gems, he muttered in perfect English, ‘I’m sorry my English is terrible’. This was said without the slightest hint of irony, to a man who can just about manage ‘oui’. Perhaps that’s the price you pay for a European Cup, Second Round defeat in 1960.

Burnley FC 4 Stade De Reims 3.

Coronation City