Planning a Weekend Getaway in Champagne
Embarking on a weekend trip to Champagne and unsure about which tours to prioritize to fully enjoy this picturesque region in France? With an abundance of activities available in Champagne, we’re here to share our top local recommendations!
From exploring heritage towns like Hautvillers, Reims, Châlons-en-Champagne, and Epernay to indulging in day trips, visiting museums, savoring gastronomy, touring vineyards, and experiencing champagne houses, we’ve curated a list of our top local tips to help you uncover the essence that makes the Champagne region so enchanting.
#1 Epernay – the Capital of Champagne!
Visit the UNESCO World Heritage Sites:
- Avenue de Champagne – home to world renowned Champagne Houses
- The Cellars of the Champagne houses on avenue de Champagne
Champagne House Cellars and Tastings on avenue de Champagne:
- Champagne Moët & Chandon
- Champagne Perrier-Jouët
- Champagne André Bergère
- Champagne Collard Picard
- Champagne Esterlin
- Champagne Boizel
- Champagne de Venoge
- Champagne de Castellane
- Champagne Élodie D
- Champagne Michel Gonet
- Champagne Mercier
- Champagne Comtesse Lafond
- Champagne Leclerc Briant
Fab Fun and Affordable Activity !
Virtual Reality Tour
The prestigious Demeure Elodie D., is located on avenue de Champagne in Épernay (a 19th century private mansion, previously owned by Eugène Mercier). As well as dining in the newly opened restaurant or enjoying a Champagne tasting, visitors can now be transported to the heart of the vineyard and learn about the manufacturing secrets of the Champagne House via the Bulles et Bonheur virtual reality tour, without leaving this beautiful venue.
Champagne tasting and virtual reality experience €40.
#2 Hautvillers - cradle of champagne
Visit the UNESCO World Heritage Sites:
- Hillsides of Hautvillers village
- Hautvillers Champagne cellars
- Cave (cellars) Thomas
- The historic Côteaux (hillsides) of Cumières and Mareuil sur Aÿ
Champagne House Cellars and Tastings:
- Champagne JM. Gobillard et Fils
- Champagne Marion-Bosser
- Champagne Bliard-Labeste
- Champagne Joseph Desruets
- Champagne G. Tribaut
- Champagne Locret Lachaud
- Champagne Gauvin Jean Pierre
- Champagne Dagonet et Fils
- Champagne Fernand Lemaire
- Champagne Pierre Fedyk
Top Tip – Look Up!
As you meander through the charming, cobbled streets of this quaint French village, be sure to look up and appreciate the many wrought iron signs, some dating from the Middle Ages. They depict various scenes relating to Champagne and the harvest and various businesses that took place in the buildings throughout the years– now listed symbols of national heritage.
#3 Aÿ-Champagne - in the heart of the historic Champagne vineyards
Visit the UNESCO World Heritage Sites:
- Hillsides of Aÿ-Champagne
- Cellars of Aÿ-Champagne
Champagne House Cellars and Tastings:
- Champagne Bollinger
- Champagne Ayala
- Champagne Henri Giraud
- Champagne Lallier
- Champagne Collery
- Champagne Pierre Leboeuf
- Champagne Egrot et Filles
- Champagne Guy Charbaut
- Champagne Henri Goutorbe
- Champagne Bauchet
- Champagne Dauby Mére et Fille
- Champagne Hénin Delouvin
- Champagne L. Bénard-Pitois
- Chamagne René Geoffroy
Awaken your Senses with an Immersive experience!
Don’t miss the immersive and interactive experience provided by ‘Pressoria’ in the village of Aÿ-Champagne. Discover the geology, climate, secrets of the vine, harvesting and the method of producing Champagne in this innovative centre.
#4 Mareuil-sur-Aÿ - Life in green & blue
Visit the UNESCO World Heritage Sites:
- Coteaux de Mareuil-sur-Aÿ
- Cave de Mareuil-sur-Aÿ – Underground
Champagne House Cellars and Tastings:
- Champagne Guy Charbaut
- Champagne Philipponnat
- Champagne Hebrart
Romantic Stroll along the Canal!
Don’t miss the opportunity to take a relaxing, romantic stroll along the canal which traverses the quaint village of Mareuil-sur-Aÿ!
#5 Reims - the City of Kings
Visit the UNESCO World Heritage Sites:
- The Cathedral of Notre-Dame, Former Abbey of Saint-Remi and Palace of Tau
- Hill of Saint-Nicaise (Colline Saint-Nicaise), where the Champagne houses and their chalk cellars are based
- The cellars of Pommery, Ruinart, Veuve Clicquot, Charles Heidsieck, Taittinger and G.H. Martel Champagne Houses
Champagne House Cellars and Tastings:
- Champagne Veuve Clicquot
- Champagne Pommery
- Champagne Taittinger
- Champagne Lanson
- Champagne Charles de Cazanove
- Champagne Mumm
- Champagne G.H. Martel & Co.
- Champagne Palmer & Co.
- Champagne Pol Couronne
- Champagne Vranken
Ancient Monument, Top-Notch Technology!
The evening Regalia show in Reims is a multimedia show, combining music and video projection onto the Notre Dame Cathedral and the Saint-Remi Basilica, depicting special moments from the coronation of 33 Kings of France. (Duration 15 mins, free)
#6 Châlons-en-Champagne - Sparkling Venice
Visit the UNESCO World Heritage Sites on the Pilgrimage Route to Santiago de Compostela:
- Notre Dame-en-Vaux Collegiate Church
- The Basilica of Notre Dame de l’Epine
Champagne House Cellars and Tastings:
- Champagne Joseph Perrier
- Champagne G.H. Martel
- Champagne J.B. Hery
- Champagne Famille Carbot (museum and Champagne tastings)
Relaxing boat trip through the historic city centre!
- Eau’dyssée Boat Trip (by day)
Take a leisurely, electric powered boat trip on the meandering waterways of the city while admiring the many bridges, monuments, lush greenery and wildlife along the way, and even passing through two underground galleries measuring 300 metres long.
- Métamorph‘eau’ses boat trip (by night)
Take a night-time boat trip to experience the light and sound show which illuminates the bridges and monuments as you drift by through the darkness and learn about the ancient history of this enchanting city, narrated by Ondine, the Nymph of the Mau and Nau rivers.
https://en.chalons-tourisme.com/discover/10-must-sees-in-chalons/metamorpheauses-boat-trip/