VIA FRANCIGENA: Canterbury to Rome Day 17

Rest day in Reims with Japan 88 Temple/ Camino buddy Patrick.

Enjoying the Pommery Champagne experience.

It was such a nice afternoon with Patrick and Pascale that we could hardly decline their offer to stay and take a rest day.

This cask was made for the 1904 World’s Fair in St. Louis, USA. Note the American India in the center. The cask holds 1000 bottles of wine.
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Foujita Chapel

Patrick took us to the Foujita Chapel on the Mumm Champagne grounds.

Foujita was a Japanese born artist who after experiencing mystical enlightenment at the Abbey of St. Remi Basilica converted to Catholicism.
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Foujita stained glass
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Saint Remi Basilica

We visited St. Remi Basilica who converted King Clovus to Christianity

Then a tour of the Pommery Champagne caves which were originally Roman chalk pits and the quarry for the stones of Reims Cathedral.

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Stairway descending 30 meters to the Pommery Champagne caves
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Each nook has an identifying name of a city

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Followed by another soak in his hot tub.
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And another gourmet dinner of Lamb, Patrick’s homemade wild boar pate, and gnocchi followed by cheese and then a dessert of chestnut pie.
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It will be most difficult to leave in the morning.

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Happy to answer any questions and help in any way.

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