the City of Kings
Visit Reims
Situated just 35 minutes from Epernay, the Capital of Champagne and only an hour and a half northeast of Paris lies the Coronation city of Reims where for over 1,000 years, 33 French kings were crowned in the breath-taking UNESCO World Heritage site of the Cathedral of Notre-Dame de Reims, renowned for its stained-glass windows and Gothic carvings. The nearby Palais (Palace) du Tau and the Saint-Remi Abbey and Basilica have also been listed as UNESCO World Heritage sites since 1991.
Reims is also famous for its impressive Champagne Houses, their outstanding Romanesque and Gothic architecture and their Gallo-Roman chalk cellars. The cellars of Champagne G.H. Martel (also a UNESCO World Heritage site), Veuve Clicquot, Pommery, Taittinger, and Ruinart and Charles Heidsieck to name just a few, welcome you on guided tours of their cellars with delicious Champagne tastings.
On May 7, 1945, it was in Reims that the German Third Reich signed their unconditional surrender at the Supreme Headquarters of the Allied Expeditionary Force (SHAEF).
Sparkling Venice
Visit Châlons-en-Champagne
The city of Châlons-en-Champagne bears the nickname of ‘sparkling Venice’. Enjoy a laid-back boat trip on the waterways through the old town. Day trip: l’Eau’dyssée or night trip: Métamorph’eau’ses.
Be sure to include a visit to the Notre-Dame-en-Vaux Collegiate Church, the Basilica of Notre-Dame de l’Epine and of course the famous Joseph Perrier Champagne house which supplied Champagne to Queen Victoria and King Edward VII.
A MEDIEVAL CHARM
Visit Troyes
A city of art and history, dating back as far as the Roman era. Troyes is rich in architecture with many of the buildings, including the half-timbered houses dating from the 16th century, protected as historical monuments.
Troyes and the department (region) of Aube are home to the largest and most stunning collection of painted stained-glass windows in Europe, which can be admired at the great Cathedral of Troyes and many mansion homes in the city.
With its half-timbered houses, the historic centre of Troyes is ideal for a relaxing stroll through its pedestrianised alleyways. On the bend of one of these alleys you will find the door to the Cité du Vitrail (stained glass city). Housed within the Hôtel-Dieu-le-Comte, this space highlights the unique glass heritage of Aube en Champagne.
For those who love to shop, you’ll be spoilt for choice for designer goods as Troyes in Champagne is the city with the most factory outlets (stores) in France, such as Marques Avenue and Mac Arthur Glen.
cradle of champagne
Visit Hautvillers
The renowned Benedictine monk, Dom Pierre Pérignon, resided at the Abbey of St. Peter in the picturesque village of Hautvillers, where he perfected the method of Champagne production as we know it today. Hence Hautvillers is nicknamed the ‘Cradle of Champagne’ (Le Berceau du Champagne) and was designated a UNESCO World Heritage site in 2015.
Dom Pierre Pérignon’s resting place and tombstone can be found along with those of another famous monk, Dom Thierry Ruinart, in front of the alter in the Abbey church which is open to the public.
For more information on how to make the most of your visit to Hautvillers, the cradle of Champagne, plan your trip with the local tourist office:
https://www.tourisme-hautvillers.com/en/panoramic-tour-2/
Top tip!
When you come out of the Abbey, turn left and left again, follow the road for a couple of minutes (by foot or by car) around to the back of the Abbey where there are stunning views which are great for photographs.
There are also several other stunning panoramic viewpoints from the village and surrounds of Hautvillers with sweeping views over the Champagne vineyards, the meandering Marne River with its distinctive light green coloured water and the nearby town of Epernay, the capital of Champagne.
One of the best ways to visit the picturesque village of Hautvillers is to take advantage of the guided tours offered by the local tourist office. They are very reasonably priced, and you’ll learn lots of interesting facts from the expert local guides and ambassadors.
Guided tour of Hautvillers – Nose in the air! :
– Discover the history of the famous wrought iron signs
– Visit the resting place of Dom Pierre Pérignon in St. Peter’s Abbey
– Extra option – Champagne tasting with a local grower
https://www.tourisme-hautvillers.com/en/item/PCUCHA051V50N1RH/
Guided tour of Hautvillers – In the footsteps of Dom Pierre Pérignon:
- Discover the history of the founding of the abbey and the legend of Dom Pierre Pérignon
- Learn about the history of the famous wrought iron signs
- Learn about the surrounding hillsides listed with UNESCO World Heritages sites
- Extra option – Champagne tasting with a local grower
Birthplace of the poet Rimbaud
Visit Charleville-Mézières
In 1606, Charles I Gonzaga the self-proclaimed Prince of Arches and Charleville founded an entirely new town and named it Charleville after himself. It was laid out in a geometric pattern, and the arcades and pavilions of the Place Ducale are a joy to admire. It was merged with the smaller medieval town of Mézières 300 years later. Charleville-Mézières is also the birthplace and resting place of the famous nineteenth-century poet Arthur Rimbaud.
Today, Charleville-Mézières is home to only a handful of puppetry schools left in the world and is the proud host of the biennial World Festival of Puppeteers, which will take place from 19th to 28th September, 2025.
A fun attraction to visit in the town centre is the Clock of the Great Puppeteer. Every day, on the hour, every hour between 10am to 9pm you can watch a display of one of 12 different scenes depicting the legend of the sons of Aymon. At 21:15 every Saturday all 12 scenes are shown in succession.
Green Cabaret (Cabaret Vert) Festival! 15th – 18th August 2024
With a world class line-up, don’t miss out on this year’s famous Green Cabaret (Cabaret Vert) in Charleville-Mézières!
A 4-day festival with 5 stages and music ranging from R&B, Pop, Rock, Indie, Rap, Electro, Metal, Post Punk, Hip-Hop and more.
With incredible acts including Teddy Swims, Queens of the Stone Age, Macklemore, PJ Harvey, 21 Savage, Ninho, Justice, The Libertines, Korn, Shaka Ponk to name just a few, this is a unique opportunity to check out your favourite bands !
The Green Cabaret (Cabaret Vert) has been a signatory to an environmental charter since its inception and prides itself on locally sourced food and beverages and enhanced waste management with its own sorting platform.
Home of the Largest Fortified Castle in Europe !
Visit Sedan
High up on the banks of the river Meuse, dating from as far back as 1424 lies the Fortified Castle of Sedan. This historical monument has been home to no less than eight princes and a princess, who over the centuries created the largest fortified Castle in Europe with a surface area of 35.000 sq. m.
Sedan has been the location where many battles were fought throughout the ages including the War of 1870, World War 1, and more recently World War 2 when the German troops invaded neutral Belgium and crossed the Meuse River to win the Second Battle of Sedan, which ultimately allowed them to win the Battle of France. There are many museums, monuments, cemeteries and burial grounds dedicated to these battles to visit in the area.
Nowadays, Sedan hosts several medieval festivals, exhibitions and seminars each year, and it is also possible to sleep and dine in the historical Castle of Sedan itself!
The theme of this year’s medieval festival is ‘Fire’ and will be held on the 11th and 12th of May, 2024.
Don’t miss out on the opportunity to visit the War and Peace Museum (Musée Guerre et Paix) in nearby Novion-Porcien. This unique museum, opened in 2018, is dedicated to highlighting the history of the area spanning 75 years during which 3 major conflicts occurred in 1870, 1914 to 1918 and 1939 to 1945.
the Champagne Hillsides, Houses and Cellars
Visit the UNESCO World Heritage sites of the Champagne Region
The vineyards of Champagne are included on the UNESCO World Heritage Site list in terms of the landscape and hillsides and historical monuments. For more in depth details please visit the UNESCO website:
https://whc.unesco.org/en/list/1465/maps/
2025, celebration of the 10th anniversary of the inscription of the hillsides, houses and cellars of Champagne on the Unesco World Heritage List
A few examples of events in Champagne :
January : Parade of the Archiconfrérie des vignerons de la Champagne in Epernay.
July 4 : Show in Champillon by Ismaël Taggae, former world breakdance champion (registration limited to 4,000 places for security reasons).
December : 25th edition of the Habits de Lumière.
Tip : Book your stay in advance (accommodation, restaurant, etc.)
Largest Artificial Lake in France
Lac du Der
From May to November 2024, Lac du Der en Champagne celebrates its 50th anniversary with Extralac, a celebratory period full of cultural and sporting festivities. Since its inception in 1974, the Lac du Der has transformed into a tourist beacon, attracting visitors from all over the country and an increasing number of water-loving, foreign tourists.
For a full programme of the exciting events taking place click here.
Created in 1974, Lac du Der is the largest artificial lake in France and home to a wide array of resident and migratory birds – an ornithologist’s paradise! Covering an impressive 48 square kilometres.
Water sports enthusiasts will not be disappointed with a wide array of equipment to rent and activities to enjoy, from electric surfboards, paddle boards, canoes, pedalos, kayaks, power boats, yachts, fishing, and lakeside bike rides. With several beaches, marinas, fishing spots and play areas there is something for everyone, old and young, to enjoy.
Green lung of Champagne
Montagne de Reims regional natural park
Situated between Reims and Epernay, the vast plateau of the Montagne de Reims and its surrounding natural park is rich in biodiversity and offers spectacular views over the rolling hills of Champagne vineyards and villages. The perfect place to hike or bike through the leafy forest and follow the trails through the dedicated Tourist Route of Champagne. There are several breath-taking viewpoints along the route which are perfect for a romantic picnic
