Épernay

Épernay is a town and commune of northern France.

Administration

Épernay is a sous-préfecture of the Marne département, and the chief town of the arrondissement of Épernay.

History

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.

Historical population:

1906: 20,291
1999: 25,844

Geography

Épernay is located 88 miles ENE of Paris on the main line of the Eastern railway to Strasbourg. The town is situated on the left bank of the Marne at the extremity of the pretty Cubryvalley which crosses it.

Features

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 handsome villas belonging to rich wine merchants. The town has also spread to the right bank of the Marne.

One of its churches retains a portal and stained-glass windows from the 16th century, but the other public buildings are of modern construction.

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 production of the equipment and raw materials used in the champagne industry is a major source of local employment.

Tourism

Épernay is a tourist-friendly town which welcome vistors from all over the world who come to buy champagne and to see how it is made. The most famous street in Épernay is the Avenue de Champagne which features the leading Champagne manufacturers.

Miscellaneous

Épernay has tribunals of first instance and of commerce, and communal colleges for girls and boys.

Births

Épernay was the birthplace of:

Flodoard (894-966), chronicler

Twin towns

Épernay is twinned with:

References

Communes of Marne | Sous-préfectures

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