A curiosity of the Champagne region, the Verzenay lighthouse was born in the mind of a wine merchant, Joseph Goulet, with the idea of promoting his brand of Champagne. The lighthouse (built in 1909) enjoyed its heyday until the First World War. Every weekend, the train of the Compagnie des chemins de fer de la banlieue rémoise transported hundreds of families who came to spend a good time there. An open-air theatre where comical plays were performed, a dance hall with accordion music and children’s games entertained the people of Reims. Its lantern was lit every evening and its light could be seen as far away as Reims, more than 12.4 miles (20 km) away.