Local TER train between Reims and Epernay is christened the ‘Ligne des Bulles’

Saturday 28 September 2013: local TER train (‘Train Express Regional’) is christened the ‘Ligne des Bulles’ (‘bubble line’).

Aim: to promote Champagne as a candidate site for nomination to the UNESCO World Heritage List.

Music kicked off Saturday’s events, which started at around 10am in Epernay railway station with a review of the issues at stake in Champagne’s candidacy – particularly its relevance to the region as a whole, and not just the vineyards. Among those in attendance were: Franck Leroy, Mayor of Epernay; Jean-Paul Bachy, incumbent president of the Regional Council of Champagne-Ardenne; and Franck Leroy, President of the Champagne Landscapes Association.

Next came the red-white-and-blue ribbon-cutting ceremony, watched by councilors, officials and other distinguished guests who then boarded the TER train and set off for a trip through the vineyards to Reims. The train made four stops – rather than the normal ten – at Aÿ, Avenay-Val-d’Or, Germaine and Rilly-la-Montagne. Four stops, with four distinctive celebrations at each stop.

On arrival in Reims at around midday, the TER was officially christened in the time-honoured tradition, by breaking a bottle of Champagne against its side.

Champagne’s application for candidacy was then passed along by a human chain of people to Benoît Bonnefoi, Secretary General of the Champagne-Ardenne Regional Commission. The celebrations concluded with a mass release of balloons.

ORGANISERS - SNCF - Champagne landscapes association - Champagne-Ardenne regional council

PARTNERS - Regional natural park of the Montagne de Reims - Comité Interprofessionnel du Vin de Champagne (joint trade association representing growers and Champagne Houses) - ‘Les Crayeres’ gourmet restaurant - Avize secondary school - Tunon secondary school - Town of Épernay - Town of Aÿ - Town of Avenay-Val-d’Or - Town of Germaine - Town of Rilly-la-Montagne - Town of Reims - Épernay tourist office - Reims tourist office

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