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Once upon a time there was a young couple…
Leonie and Rene Chamberlin married and had three children: Rene, Leone and Eliane.
1914
: war breaks out and all eligible men are called up. Rene Chamberlin (father) leaves Moussy for the Front. Within the first few days he falls under enemy gunfire…
War widow, Leonie is awarded a Café/Tabac, which she runs with the help of her children…
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In 1940
Justin Arthozoul, originally from the Aude region, a soldier on manoeuvres in Pierry, falls in love with Eliane… |
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…Marries her in 1948,
and their union produces Benjamin. |
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In 1956,
after 22 years in military service, Justin opens a hotel/café, calling the establishment 'The Provencal'. “Le
provençal”.
He modernizes the café and adds 4 bedrooms with hot water to the 2 existing ones. Downstairs he makes a banquet hall and organizes meals for weddings,
christenings and communions… |
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…In 1963 Benjamin, Justin and Eliane's son, decides to study the hotel business and gains his Chef's diploma in 1967.
He then works as a waiter/kitchen assistant in various establishments up until 1971, such as
Les Ardennes at Chalons sur Marne, at Menton, at the Relais de Sillery and at the station buffet……
By 1971,
“Le provençal”
has 21 bedrooms of which 2 are flats and 8 rooms
are gained by buying the building opposite the café. Benjamin takes over the cooking and
uses his skills with local and family recipes.
In 1981,
the restaurant opens, 13 new bedrooms are built and vast, spacious rooms are built in the traditional manner. Daily meals are served and also weddings, christenings
and communions are catered for. The garden gains a tennis court and the establishment is renamed l'Auberge
Champenoise. Benjamin, passionate about old tools for about 10 years, decides to create his own museum and puts an exhibition gallery in the restaurant.
In 1988,
the restaurant is extended, and is situated on a covered terrace, overlooking the tennis court and the children's play area
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In 1990,
Benjamin marries Katrine Casters, who helps him improve the establishment and gives him new enthusiasm for expansion. Katrine has two
children from a previous marriage, called Julien and Jeremy. Benjamin has a son called Nicolas.
By 1995,
the hotel is prospering and a new building is built with 24 new
bedrooms and a new kitchen and it now gains classified status.
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Some years later the reception area is converted into a more welcoming area with a bar for relaxing, post-dinner liqueurs.
Nowadays the establishment has 55 bedrooms,
all equipped with baths or showers, WC, cable or satellite TV, hair driers….
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