Épernay

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Épernay
Vineyards near Épernay

Coat of arms
Épernay
Coordinates: 49°02′25″N 3°57′36″E / 49.0403°N 3.96°E / 49.0403; 3.96Coordinates: 49°02′25″N 3°57′36″E / 49.0403°N 3.96°E / 49.0403; 3.96
Country France
Region Champagne-Ardenne
Department Marne
Arrondissement Épernay
Intercommunality Épernay-Pays de Champagne
Government
 • Mayor Franck Leroy
Area
 • Land1 22.69 km2 (8.76 sq mi)
Population (2006)
 • Population2 24,456
 • Population2 Density 1,100/km2 (2,800/sq mi)
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.

2 Population without double counting: residents of multiple communes (e.g., students and military personnel) only counted once.

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.

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.

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.

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

Mercier Champagne vineyards in Épernay

Births and deaths

Épernay was the birthplace of:

Épernay was the final resting place of:

  • Léon Azéma (1888–1978), French architect, died in Épernay and is buried in the cemetery there

Twin towns — Sister cities

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

Épernay is twinned with:

See also

References

    External links

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