Top Tips For Visiting The Champagne Region In France, 2025

Last updated on December 20th, 2024 at 09:36 am

Planning Your Trip To Champagne

Champagne Region in France Map

How Far Is Champagne From Paris?

Located in the northeastern part of France, about 160 kilometres east of Paris, the Champagne region is home to the famous bubbly of the same name. 🥂

But don’t be fooled into thinking it is just a landscape dotted with champagne vineyards because it isn’t. It’s a mosaic of villages, each with its own story and contribution to the champagne we know and love. 

A Handy Guide To Visiting The Champagne Region

• Where to base yourself: Épernay has easy access to numerous prestigious Champagne houses located along the famous Avenue de Champagne. Whilst Reims, being a larger city, offers more in terms of hotels, restaurants, and other cultural attractions. Both are good places to base yourself.
• How long do you need: Plan for 2-3 days which will give you enough time to explore, plus enjoy both major and smaller champagne houses.
• Do you need a car: Reims and Épernay are connected by an easy train ride. However, if you want to explore some of the smaller villages and see more of the sights I’d recommend renting a car. The other options is to take a couple of tours so you don’t need to drive.
• Visiting Champagne Houses: Booking tours at champagne houses in advance is essential, especially during peak times like weekends and summer months. Consider both famous houses like Moët & Chandon and smaller, local producers for a more intimate experience​
• Best Time to Visit: Travelling outside of harvest time (late September to October) can be less crowded and more pleasant. However, visiting during the harvest can be a unique experience as you get to see the winemaking process in full swing.
• Exploring the Countryside: Beyond the bubbles, take time to drive through the picturesque vineyards and stop by some of the little villages like Hautvillers, where Dom Pérignon lived and worked.
• What to Pack: Champagne cellars are cool and damp, so it’s wise to pack a few sweaters and a pair of comfortable shoes as tours can involve a lot of walking on uneven surfaces.
• And Apart From Champagne: The region is rich in history, so don’t miss out on visiting the UNESCO World Heritage sites in Reims, like the Notre-Dame Cathedral and the Palace du Tau.

A Snapshot of 10 ‘Must Visit’ Champagne Vineyards France

Name	Town	Type of Estate	Tours
Moët & Chandon	Épernay	Large, historical	YES, guided tours
Veuve Clicquot	Reims	Large, historical	YES, includes tastings
Champagne Mercier	Épernay	Large, popular	YES and a cellar train tour
Maison Ruinart	Reims	Oldest Champagne house	YES, it sells out fast
Taittinger	Reims	Large, renowned	YES, comprehensive tours
Champagne Dom Caudron	Passy-Grigny	Cooperative of small growers	YES, includes champagne and chocolate pairing
Benoît Marguet	Ambonnay	Small, family-run	By appointment only
Bonnet-Ponson	Chamery	Family-run, organic	By appointment only

Everything You Need To Know About The Champagne Region in France

Ready to dive in and discover everything you need to know about the Champagne region, including where to stay, tour, eat and drink? Let’s get to it and help you to have an epic trip.

No 1. Villages And Towns In Champagne To Visit

Épernay

First on the list is Epernay, home to Avenue de Champagne, a boulevard lined with mansions housing some of the most famous champagne houses. Perfect for a romantic getaway.

Beneath these grand homes lies a network of subterranean cellars. Some, like Moët & Chandon’s, stretch over 28 kilometres. 

It’s in these cool, chalky tunnels that millions of bottles undergo the secondary fermentation that endows champagne with its effervescence.

Hautvillers

Not far from Épernay is the village of Hautvillers, the home of Dom Pérignon, a Benedictine monk. Legend has it that he stumbled upon the method of creating sparkling wine quite by accident.

Either way, he contributed significantly to the development of the champagne-making process in the 17th century. 

The village is perched above the vineyard slopes, offering stunning views of the Vallée de la Marne.

And as well as being known for the Abbey where Dom Perignon is buried, it’s also known for its pretty little streets lined with wrought-iron signs and rich cultural heritage.

Aÿ

Moving north, you’ll find the village of Aÿ, known for its grand cru vineyards. Aÿ’s reputation for producing some of the finest Pinot Noir grapes goes back centuries.

In fact, the wines from Aÿ were so highly regarded that they were shipped to the royal court and even sold under their own name before champagne became a thing.

City of Reims

Then there’s Reims, the unofficial capital of the Champagne region. Reims is not just a city famous for champagne, it also has a royal history. 

The Reims Gothic Cathedral, an architectural marvel, was the coronation site for quite a few French kings, linking the city and its produce to a regal past.

Le Mesnil-sur-Oger

If you go deeper into the region, the village of Le Mesnil-sur-Oger stands out for its Chardonnay grapes.

These grapes are the backbone of the highly sought-after Blanc de Blancs champagnes, known for their elegance and finesse.

The village’s south-facing slopes are perfect for the slow ripening of grapes, which is crucial for developing the nuanced flavours characteristic of the region’s champagne.

Cramant

Cramant, another village celebrated for its Chardonnay, produces champagnes that are a confluence of minerality and complexity.

The village’s grand cru status is a testament to the quality of its produce.

The chalky soils here not only provide excellent drainage for the vines but also impart a distinctive minerality to the wine.

Verzenay

Lastly, the village of Verzenay is noteworthy for its Pinot Noir grapes and its iconic lighthouse, which oddly stands amidst the vineyards, far from any sea. 

The lighthouse is home to a museum that offers insights into the history of champagne production, while the surrounding vineyards contribute to some of the boldest champagnes in the region.

No 2. Where To Stay In The Champagne Region

Depending on your budget, there are lots of great options, from grand chateaux to cosy B&Bs. To help you make an easier choice, I’ve broken this down into three categories, luxury, mid-range and budget.