The Champagne region lies in a lovely countryside setting filled with rolling hills and vineyards. Located just over an hour by train to the northeast of Paris. The region is famed for Champagne production in its major centres of Reims and Épernay. Our comprehensive guide to visiting the Champagne Region will take you through the magical villages and towns scattered throughout the Montagne de Reims area. Champagne can only be so designated for production of the sparkling wine made here. The unique climate and chalky soil conditions have created an uneven fermentation. This lead to the discovery of bubbles in the wine in the 17th century by the Benedictine monk Dom Pérignon, and the rest is history!
REIMS
Reims is the largest city in the area. A great northern starting point to explore the Champagne region, with easy train connections from Paris. The city has a rich history. From Roman roots to the place where royal coronations were held. It was also the site of the German surrender ending WWII in Europe. And, plays a role as unofficial capital of the Champagne region.
Reims boasts several UNESCO World Heritage Sites, including the magnificent 13th century Cathedral of Notre Dame, where kings were crowned for hundreds of years, and the former Abbey of Saint-Rémi. The Gothic Cathedral has rich sculptural decoration and a series of stained-glass windows by Marc Chagall, while the Abbey Museum contains a collection of art, archaeology, and military history.
The Palais du Tau, another UNESCO site, is a 17th century palace that was an archbishop’s residence. Here you’ll find a museum with items from the Cathedral’s Treasury. And the city’s Roman roots are seen at the impressive 3rd century Porte de Mars, a triumphal arch. Check out the 1920s Art Deco Halles du Boulingrin food market and relax in the pedestrian-only main square of Place Drouet d’Erlon.
Start your explorations of the area’s wines at several Champagne houses within the city including Taittinger, Martel, Piper-Heidsieck, Ruinart, Mumm, Veuve Clicquot and the House of Pommery, whose estate also includes innovative modern art installations that can be seen as part of your tour.
MONTAGNE DE REIMS
South of Reims lies an enchanting countryside area known as the Montagne de Reims. Home to a famous wine route leading through charming villages, vineyards and champagne houses. All open to tasting and purchase of the local bubbly. This is one of five regions in the Champagne area, and the most celebrated, with nine of the seventeen grand cru villages. Here you’ll find the beautiful Montaigne de Reims Natural Regional Park. As well as delightful towns like Verzenay, Ay and Bouzy and champagne houses open to visits like Bollinger and Gosset.
One unusual (and highly recommended) attraction is the Lighthouse of Verzenay, which was built in 1909 to attract visitors to the champagne house of Joseph Goulet. Today visitors can climb to the top for 360-degree views of the beautiful Champagne countryside.
HAUTVILLERS
South of the Montagne de Reims lies the picturesque small town of Hautvillers. Surrounded by vineyards, Hautvillers houses several small family-run champagne producers who offer tastings. The most visited attraction is the Abbaye d’Hautvillers, founded in the 7th century. It was here that Dom Pérignon worked as a cellarmaster and made his sparkling discovery, and where he is now buried. Some of the top houses to visit in Hautvillers include Tribaut and Gobillard. Hautvillers is perched on top of a hill, and there are beautiful views over the vineyards, particularly from the Belvedere Dom Pérignon on the road to Épernay.
ÉPERNAY
The Champagne region is bordered on its southern end by Épernay, just south of Reims. Visit some of the top Champagne houses here in the city, including Moët & Chandon. A tour here includes a visit to the cellars, an informative history of the firm and a tasting. In the mansion’s courtyard stands a statue of Dom Pérignon himself. Be sure to stroll the elegant Avenue de Champagne, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, lined with the opulent champagne houses such as Mercier and Perrier-Jouet, with their underground cellars.
Here you will also find Champagne de Castellane with its Tower, standing over 200 feet tall – a landmark on the Épernay skyline. Built in the early 1900s, it originally served to attract visitors to the business. Today the tower can be climbed for its views of the town and surroundings. The Château Perrier contains the town’s museum, with exhibits about Champagne and the region, as well as archaeology and the 19th century Belle Époque era. The 19th century Church of Our Lady with its silver spire also graces the town’s skyline and was built on the site of a former Ursuline convent.
