company – Épernay – Exhibition – Aÿ
Posted yesterday
The photographs were taken in the undergrounds of Aÿ, Mareuil and Bisseuil. (© Benoist Laroche)
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If some Champagne cellars are known throughout the world, like those of the great houses that can be visited in Reims and Épernay, the region is full of other little-known underground galleries. They are logically less visible than some hillsides and champagne houses, but many Champagne cellars are part of the sites inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage list, in particular those of Hautvillers, Aÿ and Mareuil-sur- Aÿ.
Now well-known photographer of the Sparnacian basin for his highlighting of the local heritage, Benoist Laroche surveyed, for two months, the cellars of Aÿ, Mareuil and Bisseuil to bring out sixteen photographs. All these pictures illustrate the tranquility of these cellars, these places where time is almost frozen in order to mature the precious bottles that they welcome in their midst. The photographic exhibition “Histoire de caves”, visible at the Villa Bissinger, is accompanied by poetic texts by the writer and director Emmanuel Schaeffer and Pascale Francinet.
Benoist Laroche recounts what animated him when he set up this exhibition: “The objective is not to make an exhaustive study of all the cellars in the town, but to convene by the alliance of the image and words all the symbolism conveyed by the cellars. Going down to the cellar is a wonderful journey. In the cellar, a magical operation takes place: in religious silence, grapes descend, champagne rises. Sparkling.
SK
“Histoire de caves”, Monday to Friday, 9 am to 5 pm, at Villa Bissinger, 15, rue Jeanson, Aÿ. Free entrance.
