Épernay

Template:Use dmy dates Template:Template other Épernay () is a commune in the Marne department of northern France, 130 km (80 miles) north-east of Paris on the mainline railway to Strasbourg. The town sits on the left bank of the Marne at the extremity of the Cubry valley which crosses it.Template:Sfn

Épernay is a sub-prefecture of the department and seat of an arrondissement.

History

Épernay () belonged to the archbishops of Reims from the 5th until the 10th century, when it came into the possession of the counts of Champagne. It was badly damaged during the Hundred Years' War, and was burned by Francis I in 1544. It resisted Henry of Navarre in 1592, and Marshal Biron fell in the attack which preceded its eventual capture. In 1642 it was, along with Château-Thierry, named as a duchy and assigned to the duc de Bouillon.Template:Sfn

Main sights

In the central and oldest quarter of the town, the streets are narrow and irregular; the surrounding suburbs, however, are modern and more spacious, with La Folie to the East, for example, containing many villas belonging to rich wine merchants. The town has also spread to the right bank of the Marne.Template:Sfn

One of its churches retains a portal and stained-glass windows from the 16th century, but the other public buildings are of modern construction.Template:Sfn The most famous street in Épernay is the Avenue de Champagne which features the leading Champagne manufacturers.

Other sights outside the town include:

• Château de Pierry
• Château de Montmort
• Château de Condé

Economy

Épernay is best known as the principal "entrepôt" for champagne wines, which are bottled and kept in large cellars built into the chalk rock on which the town is built. The major grape varieties used in champagne are the pinot noir, the pinot meunier and the chardonnay. The production of the equipment and raw materials used in the champagne industry is a major source of local employment. Champagne Pannier, among others, was established in Épernay before moving to Château-Thierry in 1937. Brewing and sugar refinery and the production of hats and caps, are also major industries.Template:Sfn

Épernay station has rail connections to Paris, Strasbourg, Reims, Metz, Nancy and several regional destinations.

The nearest airport is Paris's Charles de Gaulle Airport, which is located west of Épernay.

File:Mercier Vineyards, Epernay.jpg

Mercier Champagne vineyards in Épernay

Notable people

Épernay was the birthplace of:

• Flodoard (894–966), chronicler
• Jean-Baptiste-Maximien Parchappe de Vinay (1800–1866), psychiatrist
• Henri-Gustave Joly de Lotbinière (1829–1908), Québécois politician
• Léon Homo (1872–1957), historian
• Gabrielle Dorziat (1880–1979), actress
• Albert Louis Deullin (1890-1923), World War 1 flying ace
• Yohann Diniz (born 1978), athlete
• John Gadret (born 1979), cyclist
• Maakan Tounkara (born 1983), handball player
• Alex Vanopslagh (born 1991), Danish politician

Épernay was the final resting place of:

• Léon Azéma (1888–1978), French architect, died in Épernay and is buried in the cemetery there.
• Yvette Lundy (1916–2019), member of the French Resistance.

Twin towns — sister cities

Épernay is twinned with:

• Template:Flagicon Ettlingen, Germany
• Template:Flagicon Clevedon, England, United Kingdom
• Template:Flagicon Fada N'gourma, Burkina Faso
• Template:Flagicon Middelkerke, Belgium
• Template:Flagicon Montespertoli, Italy

See also

• French wine
• Champagne Riots

References

• This article incorporates text from a publication now in the public domain: 

External links

• Official website (in French)