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Traditional rural market town
The town of Chambly, in the Picardie region of northern France is, in the immortal words of the great singer Meatloaf, “doubly blessed” (“Paradise by the Dashboard Light”). The town lies close enough to Paris to form a handy base for commuting to the capital, but retains the feel and lifestyle of a traditional rural market town.
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Surrounded by the Picardie pastoral landscape
Attractive old buildings line its wide streets and boulevards. A river runs through it, breached by a number of small, pedestrian bridges, giving an almost “moated” look to much of the town. All around the town, denying its proximity to the city, is the peaceful, pastoral landscape of Picardie, with meadows, rivers and green, shaded woodlands.
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Gothic church
Chambly has a very beautiful Gothic church, which is so imposing it is hard to miss when in the town. It is, however, worth a little more of your time to appreciate it fully. The church was built by Saint-Louis, King of France, in the 13th century, after he visited the town of Chambly in 1248.
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Twice weekly market
Chambly comes to vibrant life on two mornings a week, when the market arrives and sets out its stalls in the town. As ever with a traditional French market, it pays to get out of bed early and beat the locals to the freshest produce and the best bargains! Anyway, you will be rewarded by the delicious smells of bread, paellas, roasting chickens and much, much more... so what are you waiting for? Market days here are Wednesdays and Saturdays, from eight in the morning until one o'clock.
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Festivals and fun
Chambly has a famous festival known as the Bois Hardy festival, which has its origins in ancient times when the gods were worshipped by the lighting of a string of bonfires throughout the town. The festival takes place in March, and is great fun to attend. Chambly also has a cider festival... and you don't need to ask what is being celebrated here! Those of you who are interested in equestrian sports may have heard of the town already, as the National Horseball Championships were held here in 2005.
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Dining
For more regular entertainment, there are a host of excellent cafés and restaurants in Chambly. And if you have youngsters in tow they will certainly be happy as there are all the popular eateries within easy reach. These include McDonald's, Buffalo Grill, pizzerias and kebab shops... but you may be relieved to hear that there are also a good few more traditional French establishments!
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Out and about
There are plenty of shops and leisure facilities in Chambly, so you may not need to venture far away. But as Chambly has such an enviable position, the world... or at least, that of northern France, is really your oyster. Transport links are good, so consider a trip to Paris, to Versailles, or head north-west to the lovely Normandy coast. It is easy to find sporting activities close to the town, so whether you are a golfer, an equestrienne, a cyclist or a walker, there will be something around Chambly to keep you active.
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How to get there
Chambly is ideally located for access from the UK, as Paris is within easy reach. You can travel by air, by rail or by road in minimal time. You can fly to Paris with a variety of airlines from many airports around the UK. Or should you prefer the train then the Eurostar will take you to Paris from where you can drive or take a local train to Chambly. If, however, driving is your thing, the town lies close to the A16 autoroute .
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Property prices and availability in and around Chambly
You will pay a premium for the proximity to Paris, but if you need or want to be close to the capital without living in the hustle and bustle, then the advantages are clear. Property types vary, with some interesting old and newer properties available.
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