If you like France, travel, and sparkling wine, Champagne is a great place to be. It is also a great place to learn about history through wine and get a taste of royal luxury, whether at a hotel or on a tour of the world’s best Champagne houses. There are many organised tours for those looking to do as little planning as possible, but doing this trip on your own has become increasingly easier over the last few years.
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All images by Kateryna Topol.
Getting around
If you have a designated driver, renting a car would allow you to see more of the region and make casual scenic stops. If, however, you intend to enjoy all the samples and beyond or simply just don’t want to drive, there are many options for chauffeured transport. You can hire a car with a guide, with an English-speaking driver, or simply someone to just chauffeur you around with minimal expectations.
A quick search will pull up plenty of options. Mydriverinparis.com seems to have good options, and you can send them a WhatsApp message for an instant reply. This is a popular region so booking well in advance is strongly recommended. You will also see options to hire cars with Viator or Get Your Guide, which can be better deals, but make sure to do a search for the exact company.
Day One: A laid-back arrival
There is a direct train from Paris to Gare de Champagne Ardenne station and it takes under an hour ($58+ CA per person). For day one, we recommend starting slow at a scenic wine country hotel, Château de Sacy. The hotel is located in the heart of the Sacy commune, surrounded by vineyards on all sides. You can go for a walk through the greenery, explore the small town centre, and then take full advantage of the hotel spa. Your stay includes access to the outdoor loungers and barrel tubs with a phenomenal sunset view. A glass of champagne is optional but highly recommended.
The restaurant at Château de Sacy is a local favourite. The terrace looks over the vineyards while the interior creates an atmosphere of royal luxury. The menu features a selection of classic French dishes, a range of proteins, and shareable mains [make reservations]. In the morning, guests are invited to enjoy a buffet-style breakfast. Your options include an impressive selection of fresh cheeses, baked goods, small savoury snacks, and much more.
An even more luxurious scenic alternative is the Royal Champagne Hotel & Spa. Set between Reims and Épernay the hotel is surrounded by stunning views. This is a fairly large property with a Spa and Wellness centre which includes an outdoor pool. Dining options include The Bellevue Restaurant & Terrace with a 180-degree panoramic view, The Royal restaurant (1 star in the 2025 Michelin guide), and Abyss, Bar & Terrace. The hotel team can help you plan and organise your excursions, champagne or otherwise.
Day Two: Let there be bubbly!
Make sure to check the tour schedules for all Champagne houses beforehand and book in advance. They might sell out, some champagne houses are closed on odd days, some have off hours, and English tours can book up pretty quickly. Having made all the reservations in advance, we begin our Champagne tour.
Champagne Veuve Clicquot
Veuve Clicquot offers a few tours from one to four hours in duration. Each tour includes a cellar visit and tasting; you choose which wines. The cellars are impressive and the story of Maison Veuve Clicquot is certainly one worth knowing. This woman was a pioneer in winemaking at a time when women were not even allowed to have bank accounts. The tour can be made private at an additional cost.
Reservations: veuveclicquot.com
Champagne Taittinger
Taittinger is one of the largest and most respectable champagne producers in the world. You might recognise their silver box packaging with red bubbles on the box. This visit will also include a cellar tour, but the cellars are a bit different from those you saw at Veuve. The tour will conclude in the tasting room where you can explore their champagne lineup at your own pace.
Reservations: taittinger.com
Images above and below of Lunch at Le Jardin at the Château Les Crayères, Reims.
Lunch at Château Les Crayères, Reims
Another stunning hotel with an exceptional culinary team. There are two restaurants and one bar, we opted for a three-course lunch at Le Jardin. Nestled at the back of the hotel grounds, the restaurant is shaded by greenery and nature. Guests can make an a la carte selection or opt for a coursed lunch.
Reservations: lescrayeres.com
Alternatively, have a look at lunch options at Couvert de Vignes or one of the award-winning restaurants at the Royal Champagne Hotel & Spa.
Champagne Ruinart
This visit is unique in more ways than one. The property itself feels like an armoury, once you are past the gates, you are greeted by a mansion that houses not just wine but an impressive art collection (Ruin-art). These small group tours are informative and entertaining (at least our guide was). As you navigate through these oddly shaped cellars, you will continually cross various unique, often custom-made pieces of art. The tour ends back in the tasting room with a guided tasting.
Reservations: ruinart.com
Domaine Vranken-Pommery
If time permits, spend a few hours at Vranken-Pommery. Another female-led classic champagne house with a wealth of history. From first glance, Domaine Vranken-Pommery looks different, almost like an amusement park destination. Colourful architecture is paired with interactive installations and various art corners throughout the property. The guided tour skips through quite a few of them, a self-guided tour might be a better option if to like to stop and take pictures or explore the art.
Reservations: vrankenpommery.com
Day Three: With a casual strolling pace
A short scenic drive will take us to Avenue de Champagne in Epernay. The street is just about a kilometre long so you can walk it at all with a leisurely stroll, which makes it perfect for an overnight stay. But first, champagne! Some of the houses can only be visited with a tour, some you will notice have open terraces that welcome walk-ins.
Check in at Épernay or on Avenue de Champagne
The idea is to stay directly on Avenue de Champagne so we can have dinner and a nightcap without having to call a car.
Unpack at La Villa Eugene, a 19th-century Mercer family hotel. There are only 15 rooms, a lovely pool, and a classy little bar. Le 25bis by Leclerc Briant is a boutique hotel option with classic decor and clawfoot tubs. The BB Suites, Champagne Besserat de Bellefon might have the most spacious suites in the area if space and luxury is what you are looking for. And then, of course, there is Hotel Jean Moët, located at the top of the avenue with a short walk to Épernay centre.
Champagne Moët & Chandon
Moët & Chandon is a champagne powerhouse and needs no introduction. The shape of the cellars varies based on location, and the ones that run under Avenue de Champagne are quite different. The tours are 1.5 hours, and there is an option for a small group 2-hour Tasting Workshop or a 2-hour Grand Vintage Collection tasting. Moët & Chandon also have an interior restaurant and a garden terrace with a great menu so you can visit it without a tour [reservations strongly recommended].
Reservations: moet.com
Champagne Mercier
A champagne house founded by a twenty-year-old Eugène Mercier, who was on a mission to make champagne available to the casual folk. The tour takes you through 18km of cellars on a driverless train and includes a stop at the working production site. The range of tours includes one, two, or three glasses of wine. The caves tour is done on an open train car, which curves through the cellars while a guide talks you through the house’s story. Some of the tours also include a vineyard visit before the tasting.
Reserations: champagnemercier.com
Atelier 1834, Champagne Boizel
Another historic mansion and home to a long generation of winemakers, founded by a young couple in 1834. There are three different tours available, all of which include a journey through the Boizel House from the cellars to the stainless-steel vats. The difference, of course, is in the champagnes you taste. Boizel also has a courtyard terrace open to walk-ins if you are opting out of the tour.
Reservations: boizel.com
Sips between the tours
Perrier Jouët Champagne House has a spectacular garden terrace with a lovely menu. They do not offer tasting flights, but you can taste their collection one glass at a time. Nearby is Champagne de Vignerons, a syndicate of smaller regional champagne makers producing interesting and often sustainable wines. The shop has a selection of 100 wines for purchase and those interested in sitting down for a tasting can choose 3 of 6 wines of the day to try.
Épernay dining options
There are quite a lot, and your eye might be drawn to specific places based on your personal interest. A common practice in the region is set 3+ course meals with some predetermined options. La Table Kobus, La Grillade Gourmande, and La Cave à Champagne are all good options in Épernay. Moët & Chandon Bar and Maison de Champagne Perrier-Jouët are great options on Champagne Avenue [reservations recommended].
There are also a few farmers’ market options and various bakeries and charcuterie shops. Halle Saint Thibault is open on Wednesday and Saturday mornings. Here you will find local fruits, vegetables, and fully cooked meals to pack a picnic basket with.
Above: Lunch at La Table Kobus, Épernay. Below: Musée du vin de Champagne et d’Archéologie régionale.
Would rather go on a planned tour? Here are some options
Small-group Champagne tour with lunch
From: Reims, small group (max 8ppl)
Inclusions: 6-hour guided tour, visit Avenue de Champagne, workshop on Champagne, tastings, visit to a family winery, and lunch.
Private full-day tour with lunch
From: Reims, private (max 2ppl)
Inclusions: 8-hour private guided tour in a Mercedes Minivan, multiple champagne growers and houses visits, historic stops, and lunch in Épernay.
Full-day Champagne tour from Paris
From: Paris, Paris’ Gare d’Est train station, small group (max 8ppl)
Inclusions: Train tickets from Paris to Reims, Veuve Clicquot visit and 2 other Champagne houses, ten champagne tastings, and lunch. Roughly 11 hours.
Day trip by van in Champagne with lunch
From: Reims, small group (max 8ppl)
Inclusions: 8.5-hour tour with a local guide, visit multiple Champagne houses, traditional French lunch, and historic stops.
2 days in Champagne tour
From: Reims or Epernay
Inclusions: One overnight stay at a 4-star hotel in Reims. Visit big Champagne houses and small producers, historic stops, breakfast, and lunch. Ask for 2nd day accommodation
3 days in Champagne, “Aromas” experience
From: Reims or Epernay
Inclusions: Two nights at a 4-star hotel in Reims city centre and private transportation. Two breakfasts, two lunches, visit big Champagne houses and small producers, and historic stops. Ask for 3rd day accommodation.
Your pictures make champagne look absolutely incredible! Will definitely have to add it to my list of stops in France!
Thanks!
I would adore doing this multi-day tour and tastings of champagne. Lucky you!
I went to Provence last year wine tasting and now after reading your great post on Champagne, I really want to go. Thanks for putting together such a great and informative guide. Saving for a definite future trip!
Wow! This certainly must have been an indulgent trip. Love such guided tours.
This looks wonderful. Do you have a favourite tour? I love sparkling wine, but it doesn’t have to be champagne. In fact, my only sparkling wine experience was in a cave in Moldova (it was cheap, it was really good). Since Champagne is a classic, I would love to visit.
Veuve Clicquot but very closely followed by Ruinart :). And yes there are many great sparkling wine, I’ve been really into Pét-Nat these last couple of years as well
This looks absolutely divine. I love visiting wineries but visiting the home of Champagne would be absolutely next level. And 3 days is probably a good idea so that you don’t have to cram them all into one day!
Absolutely, you could do a day trip if that’s all you have time for of course, but 3 days felt like a good pace
I do enjoy a glass of bubbly or two so would love this part of France. And the food looks good too.
Very informative post! I have a friend who would absolutely love to do this, so I might share it with her. The food and champagne look amazing!
Well this is the post I didn’t know I needed. I’m adding to my list of things to do on my next visit. Your photos are really beautiful.
Thank you! Have the best time when you go 😀
Beautiful pictures and a great Champagne adventure guide, Kateryna! You make planning simple with all the detailed reservations and recommendations for each day.
I’ve been to Reims but sadely was only able to do only one tour. This is making me want to go back and do all the available tours!
It sounds like a perfect itinerary! I’m not a champagne drinker myself, but I would love to have a glass of French wine and enjoy their cuisine.
This sounds like the perfect way to experience this part of France! Adding to my bucket list.
We love bubbly champagne and sadly have not yet visiting this region in France. I like the idea of chauffeured transport so we can sample our way from winery to winery. Veuve Cliquot would definitely be on my list to visit!