Day 6: Epernay to Paris
Epernay hasn’t figured out that a wine growing region should keep its wineries open on the weekends. Some would open later in the day, but many would be closed. So I left the town without seeing inside any of the famous chateaux and caves. The exteriors were very impressive, for example:
This year’s tour de france went through Epernay, and I followed along the course for the first 20km or so. There were the names of various riders painted on the road and some inspiring sculptures still up, 2 months after the event:
Today’s route followed the same pattern as yesterday, with a set of country roads zigzagging towards the west in the morning, and then a canal to guide me home. Along the way I smelled and then saw a field of this surprising crop growing next to an elementary school. I assume it has something to do with rope?
It was another hot, glorious day and I was very relieved to buy a big bottle of water (I have seen no drinking fountains anywhere in France) and then see the bicycle path along the canal that would lead me all the way from the outer reaches of Paris into the heart of the city.
Along this path, I got to see wealthy suburbs, rough suburbs, gypsy encampments, abandoned industrial buildings, railyards, beautiful parks and forests, and then the city itself. Paris is earning a reputation as a very bike-friendly city, with separate bike lanes and respectful pedestrians and sometimes even respectful cars. It was very crowded because it was a hot and sunny Saturday, and eventually I made it safely to the Seine river. C’est le victoire!
(today was 150km)
