{{Use dmy dates|date=August 2023}} {{Infobox French commune |name = Épernay |commune status = [[Subprefectures in France|Subprefecture]] and [[Communes of France|commune]] |image = Vineyards near Epernay.jpg |caption = Vineyards near Épernay |arrondissement = Épernay |image coat of arms = Blason Epernay 51.svg |canton = [[Canton of Épernay-1|Épernay-1]] and [[Canton of Épernay-2|2]] |INSEE = 51230 |postal code = 51200 |mayor = Christine Mazy<ref>{{cite web|title=Répertoire national des élus: les maires|url=https://www.data.gouv.fr/fr/datasets/r/2876a346-d50c-4911-934e-19ee07b0e503|publisher=data.gouv.fr, Plateforme ouverte des données publiques françaises|date=6 June 2023|language=fr}}</ref> |term = 2023–2026 |intercommunality = [[Communauté d'agglomération Épernay, Coteaux et Plaine de Champagne|CA Épernay, Coteaux et Plaine de Champagne]] |coordinates = {{coord|49.0403|3.96|format=dms|display=inline,title}} |elevation m = |elevation min m = |elevation max m = |area km2 = 22.69 |population = {{France metadata Wikidata|population_total}} |population date = {{France metadata Wikidata|population_as_of}} |population footnotes = {{France metadata Wikidata|population_footnotes}} }} '''Épernay''' ({{IPA|fr|epɛʁnɛ}}) is a [[Communes of France|commune]] in the [[Marne (department)|Marne]] [[Departments of France|department]] of northern [[France]],<ref name=cog>[https://www.insee.fr/fr/metadonnees/geographie/commune/51230-epernay INSEE commune file]</ref> 130 km (80 miles) north-east of [[Paris]] on the mainline railway to [[Strasbourg]]. The town sits on the left bank of the [[Marne (river)|Marne]] at the extremity of the [[Cubry (river)|Cubry]] valley which crosses it.{{sfn|Chisholm|1911}}
Épernay is a [[Subprefectures in France|sub-prefecture]] of the department and seat of an [[arrondissement]].<ref name=cog/>
==History== Épernay ({{lang|la|Sparnacum}}) belonged to the [[archbishops of Reims]] from the 5th until the 10th century, when it came into the possession of the [[Count of Champagne|counts of Champagne]]. It was badly damaged during the [[Hundred Years' War]], and was burned by [[Francis I of France|Francis I]] in 1544. It resisted [[Henry IV of France|Henry of Navarre]] in 1592, and [[Armand de Gontaut, baron de Biron|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 [[Frédéric Maurice de La Tour d'Auvergne, duc de Bouillon|duc de Bouillon]].{{sfn|Chisholm|1911}}
=== French Revolution and Empire === <!---During the French Revolution, the history of France became intertwined with that of Épernay when, on June 23, 1791, Louis XVI, arrested during his escape attempt in Varennes-en-Argonne, stopped in the town on his way back to Paris. The royal family stayed at the Hôtel de Rohan, where they had dinner and remained for about an hour before continuing on their way to Dormans. Three residents of Épernay were victims of revolutionary denunciations during the Reign of Terror. However, the end of the century was calm and allowed for new developments in the town. On May 23, 1797, the municipality passed regulations concerning the town library, notably establishing its public nature for the first time. In 1806, a fire brigade was created. ---> <!--- free translation of parts of https://fr.wikipedia.org/wiki/%C3%89pernay#Histoire ---> During the [[French Revolution]], Epernay became the capital of the canton and district<!---District (subdivision départementale)---> of Épernay. In [[1800]], it became the [[subprefecture]] of the [[arrondissement of Épernay]].
During the [[French Campaign]], the town suffered devastation at the hands of the coalition armies. After the [[Battle of Waterloo|fall of the Empire]], Épernay entered a period of calm, which allowed it to focus on its organization (in 1837, the town's streets were named and its houses numbered) and its facilities. On December 26, 1846, gas street lighting was installed. The Meaux-Épernay section of the [[Paris-Est–Strasbourg-Ville railway|Paris-Strasbourg railway line]] was inaugurated on September 2, 1849, by Prince-President [[Napoleon III|Louis-Napoléon Bonaparte]].
=== Contemporary period === With the [[Franco-Prussian War]] 1870/71, the territory was occupied by Prussians troops on 8 September and numerous restrictions were put in place, such as the ban on hunting. The railway line between Épernay and Romilly-sur-Seine was inaugurated. 1 November 1872 marked the end of the occupation.<!--- https://fr.wikipedia.org/wiki/%C3%89pernay#cite_note-Mich24-88 --->
Then the town grew. In 1900, the first power station was built, modernised in 1912 to supply [[alternating current]]. By 1934, it was no longer able to meet demand.<!--- https://fr.wikipedia.org/wiki/%C3%89pernay#cite_note-89 --->
On 27 July 1903, the town was connected to [[Montmirail, Marne|Montmirail]] by the C.B.R. railway, then to [[Ambonnay]] on 8 April 1904, enabling travel to [[Reims]] or [[Châlons]].
During the [[First World War]], two-thirds of the town was destroyed. During the retreat from the Marne, from 4 to 11 September 1914, it was occupied by the German army, which blew up the Marne bridge during its retreat[73].
It subsequently became a rear-front town, as the front stabilised from late 1914 to May 1918 around Reims, 35 km to the north. As such, it was a transit point for the large numbers of troops stationed there, and Épernay became an important hospital centre. Its proximity to the front line meant that it was bombed many times, especially from 1917 onwards, and there were fears that it would fall into enemy hands during the German offensive in May 1918 ([[Operation Michael]]).
==Population==
{{Historical populations | align = none | cols = 2 | percentages = pagr | source = EHESS<ref name=ehess>{{Cassini-Ehess|12717|Épernay}}</ref> and INSEE (1968-2023)<ref name=pophist>[https://www.insee.fr/fr/statistiques/8643952?geo=COM-51230#tableau-POPREF_G1 Population municipale entre 1968 et 2023], INSEE</ref> | graph-pos = bottom |1793 |3736 |1800 |4480 |1806 |4544 |1821 |4977 |1831 |5318 |1836 |5457 |1841 |5978 |1846 |6095 |1851 |7386 |1856 |9346 |1861 |10598 |1866 |11704 |1872 |12927 |1876 |15506 |1881 |16388 |1886 |17907 |1891 |18361 |1896 |19377 |1901 |20478 |1906 |21637 |1911 |21811 |1921 |21806 |1926 |20589 |1931 |20381 |1936 |20406 |1946 |19703 |1954 |21222 |1962 |21882 |1968 |26583 |1975 |29677 |1982 |27668 |1990 |26682 |1999 |25844 |2007 |24591 |2012 |23529 |2017 |22671 |2023 |22174 }}
==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.{{sfn|Chisholm|1911}}
One of its churches retains a portal and [[stained-glass window]]s from the 16th century, but the other public buildings are of modern construction.{{sfn|Chisholm|1911}} The most famous street in Épernay is the [[Avenue de Champagne]] which features the leading [[Maison de champagne|Champagne manufacturers]].
Other sights outside the town include:
*Château de [[Pierry]] *Château de [[Montmort]] *[[Château de Condé]]
==Economy== {{Update-EB|section=yes|date=November 2019}} Épernay is best known as the principal "[[entrepôt]]" for [[Champagne (wine)|champagne]] wines, which are bottled and kept in large cellars built into the [[chalk]] rock on which the town is built. The major grape varieties used in champagne are the [[pinot noir]], the [[pinot meunier]] and the [[chardonnay]].<ref>{{cite book |last= Simpson |first= James |author-link= |date= 16 October 2011|title= Creating Wine: The Emergence of a World Industry, 1840-1914 |url= https://books.google.com/books?id=vAqWNLQkkwUC|access-date=11 February 2022|location= Princeton |publisher= Princeton University Press |page=134 |isbn= 978-0-691-13603-5}}</ref> The production of the equipment and raw materials used in the champagne industry is a major source of local employment. [[Champagne Pannier]], among others, was established in Épernay before moving to [[Château-Thierry]] in 1937. [[Brewing]] and [[sugar]] refinery and the production of [[headgear|hats and caps]], are also major industries.{{sfn|Chisholm|1911}}
[[Épernay station]] has rail connections to Paris, Strasbourg, Reims, Metz, Nancy and several regional destinations.
The nearest airport is Paris's [[Charles de Gaulle Airport]], which is located {{convert|132|km|0|abbr=on}} west of Épernay.
[[File:Mercier Vineyards, Epernay.jpg|thumb|center|upright=2|Mercier Champagne vineyards in Épernay]]
==Notable people== Épernay was the birthplace of: *[[Flodoard]] (894–966), [[chronicler]] *[[Jean-Baptiste-Maximien Parchappe de Vinay]] (1800–1866), [[psychiatrist]] *[[Henri-Gustave Joly de Lotbinière]] (1829–1908), Québécois politician *[[Léon Homo]] (1872–1957), historian *[[Gabrielle Dorziat]] (1880–1979), actress *[[Albert Louis Deullin]] (1890-1923), World War 1 flying ace *[[Yohann Diniz]] (born 1978), athlete *[[John Gadret]] (born 1979), cyclist *[[Maakan Tounkara]] (born 1983), handball player *[[Alex Vanopslagh]] (born 1991), [[Denmark|Danish]] politician
Épernay was the final resting place of: *[[Léon Azéma]] (1888–1978), French architect, died in Épernay and is buried in the cemetery there. *[[Yvette Lundy]] (1916–2019), member of the [[French Resistance]].<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-50284099|title='Great lady of the French Resistance' dies at 103|date=3 November 2019|via=www.bbc.co.uk}}</ref>
==Twin towns – sister cities== {{See also|List of twin towns and sister cities in France}}
Épernay is [[town twinning|twinned]] with:<ref>{{cite web |title=Villes jumelées|url=https://www.epernay.fr/decouvertes-patrimoine/villes-jumelees|website=epernay.fr|publisher=Épernay|language=fr|accessdate=2019-11-21}}</ref> {{div col|colwidth=20em}} *{{flagicon|GER}} [[Ettlingen]], Germany *{{flagicon|ENG}} [[Clevedon]], England, United Kingdom *{{flagicon|BFA}} [[Fada N'gourma]], Burkina Faso *{{flagicon|BEL}} [[Middelkerke]], Belgium *{{flagicon|ITA}} [[Montespertoli]], Italy {{div col end}}
==Climate==
{{Weather box|width=auto |metric first=y |single line=y |collapsed = Y |location = Épernay ([[Chouilly]]) (2004–2020 normals, extremes 2004–present) |Jan record high C = 14.6 |Feb record high C = 21.1 |Mar record high C = 24.7 |Apr record high C = 27.6 |May record high C = 31.6 |Jun record high C = 36.1 |Jul record high C = 40.3 |Aug record high C = 37.5 |Sep record high C = 33.5 |Oct record high C = 27.0 |Nov record high C = 21.7 |Dec record high C = 17.0 |Jan record low C = -11.1 |Feb record low C = -12.3 |Mar record low C = -10.3 |Apr record low C = -3.0 |May record low C = 0.8 |Jun record low C = 4.9 |Jul record low C = 7.9 |Aug record low C = 6.6 |Sep record low C = 3.7 |Oct record low C = -3.2 |Nov record low C = -4.7 |Dec record low C = -10.9 |Jan high C = 5.9 |Feb high C = 7.1 |Mar high C = 11.2 |Apr high C = 16.3 |May high C = 19.2 |Jun high C = 22.9 |Jul high C = 25.5 |Aug high C = 24.6 |Sep high C = 21.2 |Oct high C = 16.1 |Nov high C = 9.9 |Dec high C = 6.4 | year high C = 15.5 |Jan mean C = 3.4 |Feb mean C = 4.1 |Mar mean C = 7.2 |Apr mean C = 11.3 |May mean C = 14.2 |Jun mean C = 17.8 |Jul mean C = 20.0 |Aug mean C = 19.2 |Sep mean C = 16.2 |Oct mean C = 12.2 |Nov mean C = 7.2 |Dec mean C = 4.0 | year mean C = 11.4 |Jan low C = 1.0 |Feb low C = 1.1 |Mar low C = 3.2 |Apr low C = 6.3 |May low C = 9.3 |Jun low C = 12.7 |Jul low C = 14.5 |Aug low C = 13.8 |Sep low C = 11.2 |Oct low C = 8.4 |Nov low C = 4.4 |Dec low C = 1.6 | year low C = 7.3 |precipitation colour = green |Jan precipitation mm = 57.9 |Feb precipitation mm = 57.2 |Mar precipitation mm = 49.5 |Apr precipitation mm = 37.4 |May precipitation mm = 62.7 |Jun precipitation mm = 59.8 |Jul precipitation mm = 55.9 |Aug precipitation mm = 55.8 |Sep precipitation mm = 41.1 |Oct precipitation mm = 55.4 |Nov precipitation mm = 54.7 |Dec precipitation mm = 81.5 |year precipitation mm = 668.9 |unit precipitation days = 1.0 mm | Jan precipitation days = 11.3 | Feb precipitation days = 11.6 | Mar precipitation days = 10.6 | Apr precipitation days = 7.6 | May precipitation days = 9.8 | Jun precipitation days = 8.8 | Jul precipitation days = 8.2 | Aug precipitation days = 8.7 | Sep precipitation days = 6.7 | Oct precipitation days = 9.6 | Nov precipitation days = 10.2 | Dec precipitation days = 13.1 | year precipitation days =116.1 |source 1 = Meteociel<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.meteociel.fr/obs/clim/normales_records.php?code=51153001 |title=Normales et records pour Chouilly (51) |publisher=Meteociel |access-date=21 November 2024}}</ref>}}
==See also== *[[French wine]] *[[Champagne Riots]]
==References== {{Reflist}} *{{EB1911|wstitle=Épernay|volume=9|page=669}}
==External links== {{Wikivoyage}} {{Commons category}} *[http://www.epernay.fr/ Official website] (in French) {{Marne communes}} {{Authority control}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Epernay}} [[Category:Communes of Marne (department)]] [[Category:Subprefectures in France]] [[Category:Champagne (province)]]