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#BNinFrance: The Most Expensive Street in the World, French Open & More Unforgettable Moments Ink had with Moët & Chandon, Dom Pérignon & Veuve Clicquot

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Cheers! Having a #MoetMoment Wearing @WanniFuga

The week-long trip in Paris with the Moët Hennessy group was truly unforgettable! It’s been a week and I still can’t get all the unforgettable times and every #MoetMoment out of my head. Thanks @MoetNigeria!

Here’s Part 2 of the trip – we walked down the most expensive street in the world, went to the French Open where Andrew Murray and the Williams sisters played that day.

We also had the most epic time dancing with the Eiffel Tower in the horizon, and sipped the finest champagne (in Champagne) – Moët & Chandon, Dom Pérignon & Veuve Clicquot.

Click here for Part 1! Here we go.

Tuesday Night
Salut Paris!

We went to a restaurant called African Lounge, and got to try some food from Francophone West Africa.BNinFrance_Moet Hennessy Trip_BellaNaija Ink Eze 2016__thumb_IMG_9473_1024The ingredients are similar to Nigerian food, but the prep and presentation can be slightly different. Like look at that big plate of fried plantain. We finished it o 🙂 BNinFrance_Moet Hennessy Trip_BellaNaija Ink Eze 2016__thumb_IMG_9488_1024One main difference is they don’t make their food spicy, there’s some pepper sauce you can add, according to what you can handle. Watch out though – the sauce is HOT! Let’s just say *someone* (cough cough) learned the hard way!

Wednesday Morning & Afternoon
Wakey wakey! We got to have a much needed lay-in, (yes, having fun can be tiring :p ) because we didn’t need to leave for the French Open until 11. Whoop!

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Wearing @WanaSambo ready for the French Open!

This day was sooo exciting, from beginning to end. I wore a FAB skirt set – the Jessica Pearson set (Suits fan anyone?) by Wana Sambo.

Then I practised my French before I set out, just in case!

Practicing my French ?☺️ #BNinFrance

A video posted by BellaNaija (@bellanaijaonline) on


BNinFrance_Moet Hennessy Trip_BellaNaija Ink Eze 2016__thumb_IMG_9541_1024BNinFrance_Moet Hennessy Trip_BellaNaija Ink Eze 2016__thumb_IMG_9556_1024BNinFrance_Moet Hennessy Trip_BellaNaija Ink Eze 2016__thumb_IMG_9559_1024The line to Roland Garros wrapped around the corner, but because we had VIP access, we breezed right through.

The lines are long but we sped right through! Merci Möet! #VIP #BNinFrance

A photo posted by BellaNaija (@bellanaijaonline) on


BNinFrance_Moet Hennessy Trip_BellaNaija Ink Eze 2016__thumb_IMG_9578_1024 BNinFrance_Moet Hennessy Trip_BellaNaija Ink Eze 2016__thumb_IMG_9580_1024We were checked in by a fellow African – a Cameroonian lady, who led us to the Moët & Chandon lounge.

Not only was it BEAUTIFUL! The lounge was elevated above all the others, so we could see into the tennis courts right behind us. How cool is that?Roland Garros Lounges_BN in FranceBNinFrance_Moet Hennessy Trip_BellaNaija Ink Eze 2016__thumb_IMG_9586_1024 BNinFrance_Moet Hennessy Trip_BellaNaija Ink Eze 2016__thumb_IMG_9588_1024 BNinFrance_Moet Hennessy Trip_BellaNaija Ink Eze 2016__thumb_IMG_9605_1024 BNinFrance_Moet Hennessy Trip_BellaNaija Ink Eze 2016__thumb_IMG_9610_1024 BNinFrance_Moet Hennessy Trip_BellaNaija Ink Eze 2016__thumb_IMG_9613_1024We also had unlimited champagne, hors d’oeuvres, charging ports, multiple TV screens showing major matches. They printed out photos as keepsakes, there were even magic tricks, it was just FUN.

My #MoetMoment ? #BNinFrance #GALAXYS7NG #MoreThanAPhoneNG

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Ink “Williams” the 3rd Tennis Williams sister is here ???? ??? #BNinFrance

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Off to the matches! Some people went to see Andrew Murray, while others (including me) saw Richard Gasquet – (both men ended up playing each other at the quarter finals!)

Check your TV! World Singles No. 2 Andrew Murray is playing! ??❤️? #BNinFrance

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The French supported their own, there’s this trumpet-like sound you make, then everyone shouts “Allez!” which means “Go!”. They they would sporadically shout “Allez Richard!” during the games.

The weather is so beautiful today?? Wearing @wanasambo! ?: #galaxys7ng #BNinFrance

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The Williams sisters did play that day, but because they were in a smaller court, there was no VIP section, so everyone had to line up to get in. The line was super long already, so we didn’t get in but of course we wished them the best.

There were food stalls, souvenir stores, and even a clinic! Before we knew it – yes, time flew! It was time to head back to hotel, freshen up, and get ready for the night.

Wednesday Evening – #MoetMoment

Honey, Moët & Chandon knows how to throw a party. I wore a cobalt blue jumpsuit from Wanni Fuga.BNinFrance_Moet Hennessy Trip_BellaNaija Ink Eze 2016__20160525_184000 BNinFrance_Moet Hennessy Trip_BellaNaija Ink Eze 2016__IMG_20160525_222320We took a nice 5/10 minute walk to the hotel where the party was. When we got there, we met with people also on experiential trips – from Israel and Spain. The couple from Israel owns a 4,000 person capacity club. Yes, FOUR THOUSAND! We saw a video and it was like a movie. Click here to see the club!

We started off with tastings of Moet vintages spread over 30 years – 2008, 1998 and 1988.

#MoetMoment ? all the champagnes we tasted this evening ! #BNinFrance ?: #galaxys7ng #MoreThanAPhoneNG

A photo posted by BellaNaija (@bellanaijaonline) on

Then it was time to party. I made sure I wore flats, because I was ready to dance! The party was spread out over two floors, connected by balconies. The creativity was what blew me away.

We could bowl with Moët Bottles! There was a bath tub filled with ice and Mini Moët. There was a room filled with gold balloons and a bath tub where you could go and take photos. There was also a bathtub filled with Moët!A Bathtub filled with Mini Moet and Chandon_BN in France

The dance floor had LED lights, and of course, more balloons. There was a Moët Tower, and they positioned right next to the Eiffel Tower. There was also a fixed photo frame, with the tower at the background.

Imagine making the Lekki-Ikoyi bridge the focal point of a party – it was too much fun.BNinFrance_Moet Hennessy Trip_BellaNaija Ink Eze 2016__IMG_20160525_222705 BNinFrance_Moet Hennessy Trip_BellaNaija Ink Eze 2016__IMG_20160525_223918 BNinFrance_Moet Hennessy Trip_BellaNaija Ink Eze 2016__IMG_20160525_224129 BNinFrance_Moet Hennessy Trip_BellaNaija Ink Eze 2016__20160525_201818 BNinFrance_Moet Hennessy Trip_BellaNaija Ink Eze 2016__20160525_201842 BNinFrance_Moet Hennessy Trip_BellaNaija Ink Eze 2016__20160525_203315

We danced, and they played Nigerian music for a good 20/30 minutes. Many French clubs/TV channels play P-Square, Yemi Alade and the likes, so everyone danced along, no-one was left out. We did the whole thing like the Soul Train line, and dancing in a circle, with someone going in and breaking it down.

I left around 11pm/12am but many people stayed and I heard there were more mega bottles for all to share. Here’s the new Moët Imperial Bright Night.

Throwback #MoetMoment from last night! ?✨? #BNinFrance

A video posted by BellaNaija (@bellanaijaonline) on

Thursday

Time to drink more champagne – in Champagne! Champagne is a region in France and our first stop was Epernay for Moët & Chandon and Dom Pérignon, where we ended up on the most expensive street in the world!

Car lovers what’s this one? ? spotted in the car park! #BNinFrance

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28 kilometers of cellars of champagne – Dom Pérignon and Möet ? took over 200 years to carve out. #BNinFrance

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The wines mature in the cellars. Different bottles are in different stages of the maturation process.

The wines mature in the cellars.

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Barrel Given by Napoleon

Barrel Given by Napoleon

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Then it was time for tasting! We had champagne in a beautiful outdoor garden. BNinFrance_Moet Hennessy Trip_BellaNaija Ink Eze 2016__thumb_IMG_9819_1024

Up next – Dom Pérignon – did you know Dom means Master?


BNinFrance_Moet Hennessy Trip_BellaNaija Ink Eze 2016__thumb_IMG_9847_1024 BNinFrance_Moet Hennessy Trip_BellaNaija Ink Eze 2016__thumb_IMG_9900_1024 BNinFrance_Moet Hennessy Trip_BellaNaija Ink Eze 2016__thumb_IMG_9901_1024 BNinFrance_Moet Hennessy Trip_BellaNaija Ink Eze 2016__thumb_IMG_9902_1024 The 1998 vintage was AMAZING! That was truly a great year for grapes – notice Moet also has a vintage that year. A vintage means all the grapes are from that year, as opposed to a non-vintage – a mix of wines from different years to give a more standardized taste.

By the way, they shuttled us around in the best cars 🙂 BNinFrance_Moet Hennessy Trip_BellaNaija Ink Eze 2016__thumb_IMG_9912_1024We ended the night with a hearty dinner at a trendy bar, then it was time to sleep!BNinFrance_Moet Hennessy Trip_BellaNaija Ink Eze 2016__thumb_IMG_9930_1024 BNinFrance_Moet Hennessy Trip_BellaNaija Ink Eze 2016__thumb_IMG_9933_1024

Friday

This was my best day so far! Yes, I know everything was hard to top on this trip, but the night time was amazing, plus the branding of the Veuve Clicquot maison was soooo cool. I’m totally a Veuve girl Lol. They said it took a while to settle on the yellow, due to push back from different markets. And I’m glad it stuck.

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Wearing @WanaSambo in Reims, Champagne, France

I wore another skirt set from designer Wana Sambo. BNinFrance_Moet Hennessy Trip_BellaNaija Ink Eze 2016__thumb_IMG_9993_1024 BNinFrance_Moet Hennessy Trip_BellaNaija Ink Eze 2016__thumb_IMG_9999_1024

More than the branding, the story of Madame Clicquot was so enlightening and inspiring! For a widow of 27 years old with a young child to come up with so many inventions and build the house into an EMPIRE, she should be emulated.

Did you know?!

Check the back of every Veuve Clicquot bottle – it says ‘widow’ in different languages at the bottom of the label as a tribute to her.

So what happened? Her husband was a textile merchant. He used to give away champagne for free with each order, then he discovered the champagne orders outweighed the textile orders, then decided to focus on it! (This is a good life lesson – you never know where your hobbies might lead).

The cellar is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site. See the branding even in the lighting!

The cellar is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site. See the branding even in the lighting!

BNinFrance_Moet Hennessy Trip_BellaNaija Ink Eze 2016__thumb_IMG_0037_1024 This skirt set was so comfy and weather appropriate. We were so lucky with the weather that week! It rained so heavily after we left, that Roland Garros even had to shut down for a day (never happened before).

Back to the garden 🙂
Veuve Clicquot Maison_Reims, Champagne, BN in FranceBNinFrance_Moet Hennessy Trip_BellaNaija Ink Eze 2016__thumb_IMG_0035_1024 BNinFrance_Moet Hennessy Trip_BellaNaija Ink Eze 2016__thumb_IMG_0041_1024

“The Grande Dame” Veuve Clicquot herself on the cork of the bottle ? #BNinFrance

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We also got the chance to go round town. Reims is so beautiful.

? #BNinFrance

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The Reims Cathedral ? #BNinFrance

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Chilling with ? Louis XV in Reims – the town with the Veuve Clicquot Maison Wearing @wanasambo #BNinFrance

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Friday Evening

Time to go back to Paris for an epic night! We went to a beautiful restaurant Yeeels and then one of the city’s most exclusive clubs, right near the Champs-Élysées.

How’s your long weekend ☺️?! A night of Dom Pérignon for us in Paris #BNinFrance

A video posted by BellaNaija (@bellanaijaonline) on

We had unlimited bottles and ample space to alors on danse!BNinFrance_Moet Hennessy Trip_BellaNaija Ink Eze 2016__thumb_IMG_0215_1024

All in all, an E.P.I.C. trip.

***

Thank you so much for the opportunity to entertain you, I’m really grateful for the kind comments, and I hope to get another chance to share an exciting trip again 😉 *hint hint* LOL.

Thank you so much to @WanaSambo and @WanniFuga for the fabulous pieces!

See all the Instagram photos and video by clicking here!

Photos taken with Samsung Galaxy S7. For more BN Travel adventures, click here.

Ink Eze is the Founder of AsoEbiBella.com, a platform for sharing African traditional styles. She Modern Culture and Media at the Ivy League Brown University. She honed her skills in advertising and digital media at one of America’s leading tech companies in marketing. She became BellaNaija Weddings editor in 2013, and Assistant Editor of BellaNaija, heading the lifestyle section - Style, Beauty and Living until January 2017. Under her leadership, BN Weddings gained international prominence and became Africa’s foremost wedding media brand with millions of followers across several platforms and coverage on BuzzFeed, BBC & more. #AsoEbiBella became BellaNaija.com’s top feature, with over 1.8 million followers on Instagram. She conceived of BBN Wonderland, Nigeria’s top bridal event since 2015 with Baileys Nigeria. Now she spends her time on AsoEbiBella, and has executed marketing campaigns with local and international brands including HP Nigeria, Orijin and Sunlight Detergent. and sharing her insights with the world. For more Ink, join her on @Ink.Eze | @AsoEbiBella

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