For many years, the Epernay en Champagne Tourist Office has been committed to quality initiatives aimed at continuously improving its services and enhancing the destination’s appeal.
Renewed in 2023, the Qualité Tourisme™ certification has helped us streamline our organization, professionalize our practices, and ensure a high-quality experience for our visitors.
In 2026, the Tourist Office aims to obtain the “Destination d’Excellence” certification, which is gradually replacing the “Qualité Tourisme™” label by incorporating stricter requirements regarding quality and sustainable development.
TOURISM OFFICE QUALITY STRATEGY
To make the Epernay en Champagne Tourist Office a leading brand in the Grand Est region.
How? Building on a solid and consistent quality strategy and a network of local partners committed to a vibrant, dynamic destination that makes a significant contribution to local development. This strategy is built on the technical skills and personal qualities of the staff at the Tourist Office, who, through their professionalism, motivation, creativity, and dedication, develop, highlight, and promote our destination.
The Quality Policy of the Epernay en Champagne Tourist Office is centered on our ambition—the Epernay Agglo Champagne 2026–2028 strategic vision—and specifically:
- A warm welcome that reflects the spirit of our region;
- Realistic and measurable goals to assess the quality of our services;
- Ensure the quality of our support services for local service providers;
- To promote the identity and reputation of Epernay in Champagne through a unified and consistent communication strategy…
2026 GOALS
With our “Qualité Tourisme” certification—which is coming to an end—having earned the “Destination d’Excellence” designation, the Epernay en Champagne Tourist Office must now comply with the new “Destination d’Excellence” standards.
The “Destination of Excellence” framework is based on two complementary pillars that cannot be offset against one another:
Quality Pillar: 85%
- Marketing / Communications
- Home Strategy / Home / Store
- Event Planning
- Marketing
- Customer Feedback (5 required criteria)
- Quality of Services
- Destination Quality Group (bonus)
- Internal Commitments to the Community and Social Partners
- Management Structure
- Workflow Management (New)
- Promotion of Accessibility Labels (new)
Eco-Responsible Pillar: 60%
- Access and Mobility – Goal: To reduce the impact of travel
- Communication and Digital Technology Use – Objective: To optimize uses and platforms
- Social and Societal Aspects – Objective: To uphold equality, facilitate dialogue, and foster knowledge transfer
- Energy Efficiency – Goal: Reduce Waste
- Energy Consumption and Production – Goal: To improve systems and adopt alternative production methods
- Water Consumption – Goal: Reduce demand and conserve the resource
- Cleaning Products – Goal: Use eco-labeled and natural products
- Waste – Goal: Take Action and Raise Awareness of Best Practices
THE COMMITMENTS OF A CATEGORY 1 TOURISM OFFICE
In France, a Category 1 rating represents the highest level of recognition awarded to tourist offices. Awarded by the Ministry of Tourism, this rating is based on rigorous standards designed to evaluate the quality of hospitality and services provided to visitors. The Epernay en Champagne Tourist Office ( ATOUT FRANCE Registration No. IM051120002) was classified as Category 1 by Prefectural Order on April 2, 2024. In 2026, we also aim to renew this classification.
OUR MISSIONS
A shared strategy and coordinated actions.
- Welcome customers, provide advice, and act as a sales representative for our clients;
- Increase the destination’s visibility, the appeal of its offerings, and its digital presence; organize events;
- Expand the sales force, promote the destination, and maximize revenue;
- Bring together and support the network of stakeholders and municipalities in the region;
- Observe in order to better target our customer segments and manage our data;
- Oversee the internal organization of the tourist office in coordination with Destination d’Excellence.
The labels we support and work with!
- Vignobles & Découvertes
The Vignobles & Découvertes label is a national certification program created in 2009 by Atout France that aims to promote wine-tourism destinations in France and high-quality wine-tourism experiences. It recognizes the full range of complementary wine tourism services available at these destinations—including wineries, lodging, restaurants, cultural sites, and activities—to ensure visitors receive a professional and welcoming experience. The label promotes networking among local members and helps enhance the tourist appeal of wine-growing regions. Awarded for a three-year term, the label currently includes 72 certified professionals in our destination.
- Accueil Vélo (Bikes welcome label)
A national certification that guarantees high-quality hospitality and services along cycling routes for touring cyclists. An “Accueil Vélo” establishment can be a lodging facility, a bike rental or repair shop, a tourist office, a tourist attraction, a restaurant, and more.This certification helps promote active transportation and more sustainable tourism. Epernay Agglo Champagne and our Tourist Office will be launching a certification initiative across the region. Learn about the Accueil Vélo certification
- Tourisme & Handicap (Tourism for disabled people label)
The Paris 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games have accelerated progress toward accessibility in France. It is essential to maintain this momentum to ensure it becomes a lasting asset.
The “Tourisme & Handicap” label, managed by Atout France, encourages tourism professionals to offer accessible services and guarantees an inclusive experience. Given the large target audience, expanding this initiative is key to enhancing the appeal of France and the Champagne region. Facil-e-bike in Épernay offers an accessible and community-oriented biking option for seniors and people with disabilities.
- Accommodation Ratings
The classification system for tourist accommodations (hotels, campgrounds, vacation apartments, resort villages, etc.) is designed to meet increasingly high customer expectations, with star ratings remaining a key benchmark. France has therefore updated this system to better align with international standards.
- CléVacances :
Created in 1995, the Clévacances certification has established itself as an essential benchmark in the field of tourist accommodations, thanks to rigorous inspections and demanding criteria. The certification is based on three fundamental pillars: quality, freedom, and choice. Each property is certified in accordance with the demanding Clévacances Quality Charter, which is based on more than 300 criteria.
- The Clef Verte
Hotels, campgrounds, vacation rentals, furnished tourist accommodations, bed-and-breakfasts, tourist residences, vacation villages, and vacation centers, youth hostels, and restaurants are committed to an effective environmental approach with the goal of continuously improving to meet the best practices recommended by the Clef Verte eco-label. Developed in France since 1998, the Clef Verte label is, based on the number of certified establishments and its long history, the leading eco-label for tourism establishments in France. Certified establishments in our region include: Best Western Le Relais du Vigneron in Vertus, Hostellerie Briqueterie & Spa – Champagne in Vinay, Ibis Epernay – Centre Ville in Epernay, Linterfaces Chambres d’Hôtes in Epernay…
- Values of the Regional Nature Park (Montagne de Reims)
Abrand that embodies the values of the Parks: a deep connection to the region, a strong human and social dimension, and the preservation and promotion of cultural heritage. It applies equally to agricultural products, artisanal goods, lodging and tourism services, and educational initiatives. The Montagne de Reims brand, created in 1976, is based on the commitment of 61 municipalities working together to preserve landscapes, support transitions, and promote local expertise.
- Ville d’Art et d’Histoire (Town of Art & History label)
In early 2026, the Ministry of Culture awarded the “Ville d’art et d’histoire” designation to the City of Épernay. This distinction marks the culmination of a long process of cataloging and promoting its cultural heritage. By joining the prestigious network of “Cities and Regions of Art and History,” the City of Épernay is committed to fostering an innovative approach to heritage that aligns with current and future expectations, and to continuing to develop and make accessible a diverse range of cultural offerings (guided tours, publications, exhibitions, lectures, etc.) for a broad audience (residents, young people, and tourists). With the support of numerous local partners, the “City of Art and History” designation serves as a powerful vehicle for promoting the city of Epernay and enhancing its appeal.
- Entreprise du Patrimoine Vivant (Living Heritage Company label)
Created in 2005, the “Entreprise du Patrimoine Vivant ” (EPV) label recognizes French companies—whether artisanal or industrial—that are renowned for their rare expertise and excellence. Among our partners holding this label are: the Champagne houses Gosset in Épernay and Pommery in Reims, Biscuits Fossier in Pierry and Reims, Chantelle in Épernay, Tonnellerie de Champagne in Hermonville, and others…
- Petites cités de caractère (Small towns with character)
The ” Petites Cités de Caractère® ” concept was created in the mid-1970s to highlight unique towns that are both rural in terms of their location and small population, and urban in terms of their history and heritage. In our destination, the town of Vertus (Côte des Blancs) qualifies for this designation.
- Villes et Villages fleuris
This certification recognizes communities that provide a pleasant living environment for their residents and visitors. This distinction (ranging from 1 to 4 Flowers), displayed on signs at the entrances to towns, enhances their appeal. Epernay, which has held the “4 Flowers” designation since 2015, takes special care to protect the environment.
- Station Classée de Tourisme (Tourist Resort municipality)
Epernay has been a “Station Classée de Tourisme” since 2017. This national distinction, awarded for a 12-year term, recognizes destinations that offer a well-organized, high-quality tourism experience. In the Marne department, only three destinations currently hold this classification: Épernay, Reims, and Lac du Der.
TOGETHER TOWARD EXCELLENCE
Earning the “Destination of Excellence” designation is the result of a collective effort. Working alongside the Tourist Office, local businesses, local governments, and all stakeholders in the region contribute every day to enhancing the quality of hospitality, the sustainability of practices, and the appeal of Epernay in Champagne.
“For professionals who are hesitant to take the plunge, don’t hesitate! It’s a demanding but incredibly rewarding process that not only allows you to improve your offerings and practices, but also to become part of a positive collective effort toward the sustainable tourism development of our beautiful region.” The team at the Epernay Tourist Office in Champagne.
Thank you to all the partners involved in this effort toward continuous improvement for the benefit of our destination.