We left Laon behind, and drove towards Châlons-en-Champagne, were we booked a one night's stay.
It was very hot, but still, the weather was changing from cloudy, rainy, to sunny and finally very sunny with almost clear sky. We passed some sunflower fields as we drove, but sadly this year they have all dried up due to the heat. I was looking forward to rows and rows of grapes. Suddenly, as soon as we crossed into the Champagne-Ardenne region (which comprised regions of Marne, Haute-Marne, Ardennes and Aube since 1956) they were all around us. The grape fields were absolutely gorgeous and all I could think of were markets full of them in early Autumn.
