Épernay

Épernay (Sparnacum) 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.[4]

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.[4]

One of its churches retains a portal and stained-glass windows from the sixteenth century, but the other public buildings are of modern construction.[4] 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

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.[7] 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.[4]

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

Mercier Champagne vineyards in Épernay

Épernay was the birthplace of:

• Flodoard (894–966), chronicler
• Maakan Tounkara, handball player
• Henri-Gustave Joly de Lotbinière, Québécois politician
• Gabrielle Dorziat, comedian
• Yohann Diniz, athlete
• John Gadret, cyclist
• Léon Homo (1872–1957), historian
• Jean-Baptiste-Maximien Parchappe de Vinay (1800–1866), psychiatrist
• Alex Vanopslagh, 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.[8]

Épernay is twinned with:[9]

• French wine
• Champagne Riots

• This article incorporates text from a publication now in the public domain: Chisholm, Hugh, ed. (1911). "Épernay". Encyclopædia Britannica. Vol. 9 (11th ed.). Cambridge University Press. p. 669.

Wikivoyage has a travel guide for Épernay.

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Épernay.

• Official website (in French)