There’s no drink quite like champagne. Popping open a bottle instantly conjures up images of celebration and glamor and makes even an ordinary occasion something special.
A trip to the region is of course a must for wine lovers and gastronomes, but it also offers a welcome break in nature as you drive past sloping vineyards to visit domains and explore charming villages along the way.
If you’re traveling from Paris, Champagne makes an easy day trip – you can reach Reims in 45 minutes and Épernay in just over an hour. But with so many domains dotted around the two towns and the beautiful countryside, you can easily fill a long weekend with endless champagne tastings, tours and activities for a rich introduction to the winemaking process and the fascinating history of the region.
These are the top eight things to do in Champagne, including plenty of suggestions for which domains to visit.
1. Take a tour of the big-name champagne houses
While you might not be able to take a look inside some of Champagne’s most prestigious houses (Krug and Dom Pérignon are both closed to the public) you can still enjoy a taste, literally, of some of the world’s most famous champagnes. Ruinart, Pommery and Veuve Clicquot, located just by Reims, or Bollinger, Moët & Chandon and Perrier-Jouët, if you’re staying in Épernay, all open their doors to visitors for tours (in English or French) of their historic cellars.
Planning tip: With so many champagne houses to choose from, it can be hard to know which to pick. Taking a look at any extra highlights on the tour might help you decide which to prioritize.
Ruinart will take you down to the deepest and most impressive hand-dug chalk tunnels (or crayères) in the region. At Perrier-Jouët you can visit the largest private collection of French art nouveau in Europe; if you want to get out into nature, Veuve Clicquot also offers vineyards tours. And over at Pommery, you’ll find a subterranean contemporary-art exhibition on display in the chalk pits.
2. Pay a visit Hautvillers
The incredibly charming Champagne village of Hautvillers was made famous by Dom Pérignon, who carried out his winemaking while overseeing…
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