Épernay

Épernay (IPA: [epɛʁnɛ]) is a commune in the Marne department in northern France. Épernay is located some 130 km north-east of Paris on the main line of the Eastern railway to Strasbourg. The town sits on the left bank of the Marne at the extremity of the Cubry valley which crosses it.[2]

Épernay
Subprefecture and commune
Vineyards near Épernay
Coat of arms
Location of Épernay
Épernay
Épernay
Coordinates: 49°02′25″N 3°57′36″E
CountryFrance
RegionGrand Est
DepartmentMarne
ArrondissementÉpernay
CantonÉpernay-1 and 2
IntercommunalityÉpernay-Pays de Champagne
Government
 • MayorFranck Leroy
Area
1
22.69 km2 (8.76 sq mi)
Population
 (2017-01-01)[1]
22,671
 • Density1,000/km2 (2,600/sq mi)
Time zoneUTC+01:00 (CET)
 • Summer (DST)UTC+02:00 (CEST)
INSEE/Postal code
51230 /51200
1 French Land Register data, which excludes lakes, ponds, glaciers > 1 km2 (0.386 sq mi or 247 acres) and river estuaries.

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

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.[2]

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.[2]

One of its churches retains a portal and stained-glass windows from the sixteenth century, but the other public buildings are of modern construction.[2] The most famous street in Épernay is the Avenue de Champagne which features the leading Champagne manufacturers.

Other sights outside the town include:

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. Brewing and sugar refinery and the production of hats and caps, are also major industries.[2]

Mercier Champagne vineyards in Épernay

Notable people

Épernay was the birthplace of:

Épernay was the final resting place of:

Twin towns — sister cities
See also: List of twin towns and sister cities in France

Épernay is twinned with:[4]

See also

References
  1. "Populations légales 2017". INSEE. Retrieved 6 January 2020.
  2. Chisholm 1911.
  3. "'Great lady of the French Resistance' dies at 103". 3 November 2019 – via www.bbc.co.uk.
  4. "Villes jumelées". epernay.fr (in French). Épernay. Retrieved 2019-11-21.
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