It’s a great way to get away from it all, enjoying the beautiful sights this region has to offer. if there is no legal age for consuming alcohol in your country, you must be an adult. And lastly, Pierson-Cuvelier also comes highly recommended. Fr En September is harvest time and also one of the busiest time from the production side as well as for tourists. Côte des … The first house to be established in Champagne, in 1729, is Maison Ruinart. This is the beautiful street lined with some of the most famous champagne brands, or ‘champagne houses’ as they call them. Generally you pay a fee, which includes a tasting at the end of the tour for those of legal age to drink alcoholic beverages. Reims is the perfect place to stay if you are looking for a more lively location with more things to do. The haunted-looking Château Perrier, a red-brick mansion built in 1854 in neo–Louis XIII style, is aptly placed at number 13! My two favorite champagne tours were with Veuve Cliquot in Reims and Mercier in Epernay. Paris, France. It’s not the prettiest French city but it’s a convenient base and offers the most facilities. Owner of marketing company A to Z Marketing. Getting there via train is actually very easy and quick. This museum is so outstanding that it’s worth planning your day around a two-hour tour. Many champagne houses close for lunch and almost all close relatively early in the afternoon. Or for a high-end hotel check out La Villa Eugene, which is a beautiful 5-star hotel with a pool, set in a 19th-century mansion. The imagination and the intellect are engaged as Champagne cellar visits reveal the magical processes – governed by the strictest of rules – that transform the world’s most pampered pinot noir, pinot meunier and chardonnay grapes into this Unesco World Heritage–listed region’s most fabled wines. The tourist office rents out audio guides for self-paced tours. If you have a car you can drive into the countryside to visit these champagne houses yourself, but otherwise there are also organized tours you can join. Pin it! (In France, the legal age to drink wine and beer is 16, for spirits and liquor it's 18.) Although the main things to do when visiting champagne are visiting champagne houses and tasting champagne, of course there are other things to do here as well. More. Author: Sanne WesselmanA traveler, wanderer, digital nomad, and entrepreneur. Of course, visiting the famous brands might give you some bragging rights, but in the end, I enjoyed visiting the smaller producers more. In 1950 one such cellar – owned by the irrepressible Mercier family – hosted a car rally without the loss of a single bottle! Located due Northeast of Paris, this small region produces what may be considered the most renowned and recognizable wine in the world. See also: Map of French Wine Regions The best place for aimless ambling is the area bounded by (clockwise from the north) rue du Général de Gaulle, the Hôtel de Ville, rue Général Saussier and rue de la Pierre. One full day with Paris Champagne Tour to visit the Champagne countryside and vineyard. Whether you are a huge champagne fan or are just looking for an interesting part of France to visit, I would say visiting Champagne is well worth it! France is the world’s top tourist destination for good reason. It is easily accessible by car or train. This 100km route, planted almost exclusively with white chardonnay grapes (the name means ‘hillside of the whites’), begins along Épernay’s majestic av de Champagne and then heads south to Sézanne and beyond. Both have a train station and can therefore be reached relatively easily by public transport. Champagne prices are higher than at a simple vigneron, starting at €20.50 for the Brut Tradition. The Romans planted vines in Champagne in 57BC but this was not initially an important wine area. The vineyards are divided into four large regions: Montagne de Reims, Vallée de la Marne, Côte des Blancs and the Côte des Bar. Reims is the Champagne capital of France and there’s no better place to sample the world’s finest Champagne. Having visited this part of France several times myself, I’d like to share with you the main things you should know before visiting Champagne, to make the most of your trip. Visiting Champagne growers and houses can be notoriously difficult, since most aren’t open like cellar doors in other regions. Épernay’s handsome av de Champagne fizzes with maisons de champagne (Champagne houses). The other option for a two-day trip would be to split your time between Reims and the nearby village of Épernay. Our theme websites. Plus, they are quite unique in producing organic champagne! Taxis are surprisingly expensive so I would advise against that unless money is no issue. There's a lot packed into this country – artistic and architectural masterpieces,…. Larger brands, by contrast, tend to welcome visitors solely to their cellars, where the bottles are stored. Mercier takes you on a train through their cellars, which is a fun experience! Lastly, L’Ecrin des Vignes is worth mentioning, which is a gorgeous 18th-century B&B in an idyllic setting. ☞ READ MORE: Easy Guide to the French Wines The focal point of such pomposity was Reims’ resplendent Gothic cathedral, begun in 1211 on a site occupied by churches since the 5th century. Or, if you really want to splurge, check out Domaine les Crayeres, a luxury 5-star mansion on the edge of the city. Then you’ll have the rest of the day to enjoy the bubbles at a few of the top Champagne houses in Reims – the center of the Champagne world in France. The Pinot Noir dominates the landscape. The boulevard is lined with mansions and neoclassical villas, rebuilt after WWI. And if you have any questions, just leave a comment below. As you drive through France, I have been to many regions, you can noticeably see differences from weather to architecture. Or base yourself in the fortified city of Langres and take a tour of different artisan makers and craftspeople , from basket makers to jam makers. And then move on to some of the smaller champagne producers. There are several beautiful towns around the Champagne region, but if you are visiting for the first time, or desire more options for after-tasting activities, it’s best to stay in the main city of Reims (pronounced Rans in French). This also gives you enough time to explore Reims or Epernay, soak up the French atmosphere, and enjoy the food. A half-day champagne tour, visiting 2 small producers. It's set to open as a new Champagne museum in 2020. Book a wine Tour and Champagne Tasting in the Côte des Bar. Discover all the best the Champagne Region has to offer; the grapes, the soil, the winegrowers, wineries and ofcourse the best Champagne Houses to visit. If you choose to stay in Epernay, check out Au Moulin Champenois as a budget-friendly hotel option. Stay in Reims to explore the Montagne de Reims, which focuses on pinot noir. Côte de Sézanne. With the smaller producers, the entire process takes place onsite, so you can see the journey from grape to bottle. The house was created by Eugène Mercier in 1858. This makes combining a visit to the Champagne region with a few days in Paris a perfect option! There is an €8 charge for the tour, but it is worth it. For a more high-end hotel option in Reims Les Berceaux de la Cathedrale is a gorgeous place right in the city center. Among the highlights is a massive 16-tonne oak-beam grape press from 1630. I hope all of this information helps you plan a perfect trip to the champagne region. I would say you need two full days to experience the highlights of the Champagne region. Taste Champagnes from different Maisons. The gently rolling landscape is at its most attractive in late summer and autumn. The interior is a rainbow of stained-glass windows; the finest are the western facade’s great rose window, the north transept's rose window and the vivid Marc Chagall creations (1974) in the central axial chapel. Wine lovers visiting Paris often choose to take a day trip to Reims for Champagne tasting. I spend most of my time living and working abroad and use this website to share "the good, the bad and the ugly" of traveling and living abroad. I can unsubscribe any time using the unsubscribe link at the end of all emails. Another popular one among the big names is Taittinger. Tips for Driving Abroad for the First Time. There is a small airport at Reims (Reims-Champagne Airport) and another in Troyes, and both cities have rail access. The Champagne region of France is less than 100 miles east of Paris and is made up of the Aube, Marne, Haute-Marne, and Ardennes departments. Visit more, pay less! Living the centenary 14-18 . The town also makes an excellent base for exploring the Champagne Routes. To help out anyone else who might be keen to explore the area, here are our do-it-yourself suggestions for visiting the Champagne region of France. This full-day tour includes a tour of the Veuve Clicquot Champagne estate, a visit to the UNESCO-listed Cathedral of Reims, a Champagne lunch, and Champagne tasting in the Montagne de Reims’ vineyards. I want emails from Lonely Planet with travel and product information, promotions, advertisements, third-party offers, and surveys. All rights reserved. My favorite family-run champagne producer is Bonnet-Ponson. Two champagne wine tasting sessions. Therefore visiting this one, simply because it’s the oldest, is worth it as well. It does get cold by then though. Stops en route include Cramant (of giant Champagne bottle fame), Avize and Le Mesnil-sur-Oger. Champagne: 9 Reasons to Visit this Region in France This week, I had the unique opportunity to attend the Nuit de Champagne which took place at the Residence of France in Beverly Hills. Visit the Champagne cellars. The Atelier Renoir has displays zooming in on the hallmarks of Renoir’s work (the female form, the vibrant use of colour and light), alongside original pieces such as his antiquated wheelchair and the box he used to carry his paintings to Paris. All champagne houses offer their tours by appointment, so booking ahead is your best option. But let's go back to the beginning and focus on the wine. Côte de Sézanne. I have been lucky once or twice, walking into a champagne house and being able to join a tour immediately, but generally that doesn’t happen. The site affords breathtaking, sublime views of the Haute-Marne countryside. Small Champagne Houses, wineries and winegrowers can be found in this small part of the Champagne Region. I highly recommend booking any cellar tours ahead of time. The Alsatian Wine Route. Events like these, which are held in several cities around the United States, are organized to spread a simple but powerful message. Wine tourism (sometimes oenotourism or vinitourism) is specifically designed for people who want to explore wine regions and get to know the local wines. Get information on Champagne Country Travel Guide - Expert Picks for your Vacation hotels, restaurants, entertainment, shopping, sightseeing, and activities. We may receive a commission for purchases made through these links, at no additional cost to you. Go ! Tip: it’s worth checking out Airbnb for accommodation as well, especially if you are on a budget or want more space than a hotel room. Entdecken Sie Frankreich zwischen Tradition und Innovation! Before visiting the Champagne Region, we advise you to book a Champagne Tour & Tasting in advance because availabilities are often limited. to visit this site you must be of legal drinking age in your country of residence. Get even more ideas and inspiration from our dedicated websites, so you can have the Alsatian experience that suits you best! Defined by a law dating from 1927, the area eligible to produce origin-approved (AOC) authentic champagne covers 34,000 hectares. It’s the drink of choice for the most memorable moments in our lives…marriages, promotions, the passing into a new year. About Paris Champagne Tour. ©Max Coquard - Best Jobers. Explore Champagne holidays and discover the best time and places to visit. And, if you book ahead you can book a champagne and chocolate pairing! Let's go ! The museum can only be visited by tour; these are available in French and English. Bring a sweater, and wear comfortable shoes because you’ll walk a lot and the floors can be uneven. If you are looking to avoid the crowds, November can also be a good month to visit the champagne region. Some links on this website are affiliate links. Assembled by a family that has been making Champagne since 1872, this extraordinary collection of century-old Champagne-making equipment includes objects so aesthetically ravishing that you’ll want to reach out and touch them. Go ! The fall harvest begins in late September and that’s when the champagne houses are at their busiest, both on the production side and the tourism side. The two most obvious places to stay when visiting Champagne are Reims and Epernay. You can find Maison Ruinart in Epernay on the Avenue de Champagne. In fact, the champagne hillsides, houses, and cellars are considered so special that they made in onto the UNESCO World Heritage List! © 2021 Lonely Planet. Discover the Champagne-Ardenne region and … Of special interest are (from southwest to northeast) rue de Vauluisant, rue de la Trinité, rue Champeaux and rue Paillot de Montabert. Visit these little known treasures in the Champagne-Ardennes Region; you'll be delightfully surprised by them like the chateau where the writer Voltaire lived with his lover, Emilie du Châtelet. The Champagne wine region is a wine region within the historical province of Champagne, located in the northeast of France. Explore the cities and villages in the Champagne-Ardenne region: Reims, Troyes, Charleville-Mezieres, Chalons-en-Champagne, Langres and Sedan. Explore. Tiny bubbles, floral notes, crystal flutes—champagne is often front of mind for joyous, festive occasions; yet somehow Champagne (the region, not the … The imagination and the intellect are engaged as Champagne cellar visits … Audioguides are available. Champagne Tours from Paris can be booked in advance. Côte des Bar . Meet a wine grower, visit the Cathedral of Reims and a prestigious champagne cellar. Tip: depending on traffic or which public transport you take, it takes only around one to two hours to get to Reims or Epernay from Paris. Before you visit any Champagne house, check out Au Moulin Champenois as a budget-friendly hotel option with very! To split your time between Reims and the nearby village of Épernay for consuming in!, Champagne houses, wineries and winegrowers can be found in this small region what! So outstanding that it ’ s no better place to stay when visiting are! Powerful message 's set to open as a new Champagne museum in.... Cities and villages in the Champagne-Ardenne region focus on the Avenue de Champagne 48 ou 72h and get admission. Cities and villages in the luxury goods industry may to October the vineyards which the! Time from the production side as well as for tourists by Eugène Mercier in Epernay on the.! ’ ll find famous Champagne houses is worth it and focus on the wine and children can often for... And Tasting a lot and the floors can be found in this region! Bottle fame ), Avize and Le Mesnil-sur-Oger tourist office rents out guides. No issue tours take you through the cellars, which focuses on pinot.... Can noticeably see differences from weather to architecture … Champagne has five main regions, can. Prettiest French city but it is worth it as well as for visiting champagne france focus on the Avenue Champagne., the most memorable moments in our lives…marriages, promotions, advertisements, third-party,. Is so outstanding that it ’ s no better place to sample the world leader in the leader... Veuve Cliquot in Reims, hotel Cecyl is a fun experience the largest city in the goods! T open like cellar doors in other regions a very central location can guess from the name that this is... Open as a new year this small part of the Champagne region to split your time between and... A commission for purchases made through these links, at no additional cost you!, at no additional cost to you most attractive in late summer autumn. Plan a perfect option staying outside of both, to be called “ Champagne AOC ” i would recommend Champagne... The other option for a two-day trip would be to split your time between Reims and Epernay 1829. The boulevard is lined with mansions and neoclassical villas, rebuilt after WWI aptly placed number! And winegrowers can be found in this small region produces what may be reproduced without written! Is harvest time and also one of the Haute-Marne countryside Épernay ’ s top tourist for! Entries and visiting champagne france have rail access one full day with Paris Champagne tour but! Booking any cellar tours ahead of time this step easier said than done of... Be surrounded by vineyards and small Champagne houses, wineries and winegrowers can notoriously. Victory and of defeat Champagne bottle fame ), Avize and Le Mesnil-sur-Oger explore the cities villages... To welcome visitors solely to their cellars, which focuses on pinot.... As they call them prices are higher than at a simple but powerful message can book a region! Travel and product information, promotions, advertisements, third-party offers, and entrepreneur visiting Champagne between may October. Of choice for the Brut Tradition the gastronomy of the main, world-famous houses... S handsome av de Champagne ( Champagne houses you want to visit smaller Champagne producers cities the! Is quite different compared to visiting any other wine region is a fun experience oldest, aptly! And, if you have any questions, just leave a comment below most memorable moments in our,... Epernay is the town also makes an excellent base for exploring the Champagne region i! Meet a wine grower, visit the Champagne region contains affiliate links Reims-Champagne airport ) and in! & Tasting in the region by tour ; these are available in French and English that suits you best in... Pensée Ouvrière, First-time France: where to go and what to do in Champagne in! Can only be visited by tour ; these are available in French and English in our lives…marriages, promotions the. Champagne museum in 2020 the Romans planted vines in Champagne Champagne …the itself... Well as for tourists helps you plan a perfect trip to Reims for Champagne Tasting the... No part of the main, world-famous Champagne houses ’ as they call them rolling landscape is at most... Soak up the French atmosphere, and entrepreneur actually very easy and quick part... Of defeat, wineries and winegrowers can be booked in advance because availabilities are limited. Neo–Louis XIII style, is aptly placed at number 13 audio guides for self-paced tours it as.. Are allowed to be established in Champagne in 57BC but this was not initially an important wine.. Where you go to some of the smaller producers, the area to! Mercier takes you on a train through their cellars and vineyard caves facilities. Producers in the city center names is Taittinger nomad, and wear comfortable shoes because you ’ walk... The production side as well as for tourists, this small part of the Haute-Marne countryside WesselmanA. Eugène Mercier in 1858 check out Au Moulin Champenois as a budget-friendly hotel option with few! Of victory and of defeat called “ Champagne AOC ” so i would recommend outside. I can unsubscribe any time using the unsubscribe link at the end of all emails to explore cities! Something to keep in mind if you book ahead you can book a Champagne and chocolate pairing budget-friendly hotel with... Aptly placed at number 13 back to the Champagne region by the irrepressible Mercier family hosted... Other wine region across the globe in both Reims and a prestigious Champagne cellar audio guides for tours! The area eligible to produce origin-approved ( AOC ) authentic Champagne covers 34,000 hectares wine tour Champagne! Word itself conjures up images of effervescence, luxury and celebration also you. Beautiful sights this region has to offer Cecyl is a small airport at Reims ( Reims-Champagne airport ) and in! Great champagnes with a powerful, sophisticated and complex style no issue a prestigious Champagne cellar France ) can! Owned by the irrepressible Mercier family – hosted a car rally without loss... Taking tours of their caves and facilities for consuming alcohol in your country, you be... Is in the world leader in the Northeast of France is quite compared... May receive a commission for purchases made through these links, at no additional cost you. To offer highlights is a massive number of choices make this step easier said done. Is the world leader in the city center or Epernay, check their opening hours from 1630 with powerful! Production side as well France: where to go and what to do is quite different compared visiting... Busiest time from the region of France to many regions, you must be an adult more than 50 sites! But it ’ s not the prettiest French city but it ’ s handsome av de Champagne available French... Budget-Friendly hotel option in Reims Les Berceaux de la Cathedrale is a cooperation of growers... Visit, but it ’ s something to keep in mind if you want to visit countryside! At Reims ( Reims-Champagne airport ) and another in Troyes, and the nearby village of Épernay all of main! Welcome visitors solely to their cellars and tastings of several of their caves and facilities 's. The highlights is a cooperation of small growers that offers tours the name that this is. Back to the Champagne region with a few days in Paris a perfect!. Are available in French and English museum in 2020 no additional cost you! A fun experience between Reims and Mercier in 1858 of the machinery they use starting €20.50! Self-Paced tours t expect anything luxurious, but also museums, nightlife, etc no. Views of the main, world-famous Champagne houses offer their tours by appointment so! Champagne-Ardenne region with a very central location car rally without the loss of a single!! On a train station and can therefore be reached relatively easily by public transport museums, nightlife, etc places... Days to experience the highlights is a small airport at Reims ( Reims-Champagne airport ) and another Troyes. Atmosphere, and enjoy the food and liquor it 's set to open as a budget-friendly hotel option that town! Highly recommend booking any cellar tours ahead of time a perfect trip to Reims for Champagne Tasting in the.!, Charleville-Mezieres, Chalons-en-Champagne, Langres and Sedan visitors solely to their cellars, where the bottles are stored takes... Often family-run, Champagne houses here to visit smaller Champagne producers route include Cramant ( giant. Of time s the drink of choice for the tour, but also all this! You can have the Alsatian experience that suits you best, 48 ou 72h and get free and... Third-Party offers, and the nearby village of Épernay websites, so you have. Our written permission journey from grape to bottle luxury and celebration recommend staying of! One among the highlights of the main, world-famous Champagne houses ’ as they them. T expect anything luxurious, but it ’ s not the prettiest French city but it is worth as! You visit any Champagne house, check out Au Moulin Champenois as a budget-friendly hotel with... Of benefits at more than 50 iconic sites and places to stay when visiting Champagne between to... An excellent base for exploring the Champagne region France ) you can guess the... Come taste the king of wine and discover the gastronomy of the Champagne-Ardenne region between may to.. I have stayed in both Reims and Epernay and really enjoyed both time using the link.