Mon Anniversaire!

Id been awake through the night so it was lovely to sleep in until nearly 8am on my birthday!  Still dark but the lights glistening on the wet streets make such a beautiful sight.  Eventually we wandered off for Petit Dejeuner - still early for the French at 9am!
There were sights to see: Place de la Republique, Hotel de Ville. Reims also has monuments to the resistance/s because of course it had significant involvement and damage.  We love the architecture throughout, so easy to spend the morning wandering.

We had selected our restaurant for my birthday lunch - me wanting fish.  What a great choice it was! 2hrs later when we were leaving the restaurant was packed to capacity, so obviously popular. Yummy, yummy food!  

After that we needed a walk, so down to the river through the park we went. I'd forgotten that Reims has an International centre, and it was great to see the Australian flag amongst others.  

We were going to indulge a Buche de Noël for my birthday but just too full!

Then the 3 train experience to get to Metz. TGV(1) has booked seats. TER does not. We werw lucky to get seats on first train but not initially on the second.

We were tired on arrival but the beauty of the lights and railway station soon excited us.
After checking into our apartment near the station, we caught a bus into the centre of the village.  The usual Cathedral, Hotel de Ville, Place de la Republique and Marché de Noel - but each one so unique.