Why the Champagne Region Should Be Your Next Getaway ?

Whether you’re a local, a holidaymaker from the other side of France or a foreign tourist, we want to tell you the reasons to visit Champagne, France. Discover the Champagne vineyards, the Champagne Houses, Reims and Épernay, and we promise you a sparkling stay.

We are Sarah and Romain, as well as welcoming you to our apartments in Épernay. We want to offer you the best of the area, help make your stay unforgettable so that you can create the most beautiful memories.

Here we present our top 6 reasons to visit Champagne, history and heritage, through the Champagne vineyard and the French characters, but also to explore its iconic monuments.

Discovering a Unesco listed heritage site

Imagine stepping into a world where history whispers through ancient cellars, where the rolling hills are blanketed in vineyards, and where every glass sparkles with celebration – that’s the magic of the Champagne region. And one of the best reasons to visit? You’ll be walking through a living, breathing UNESCO World Heritage landscape!

Let me, your local guide Sarah, share why this place is so special:

• We’re not just talking about a few random spots, you know. Since 2015, UNESCO has recognized the entire Champagne story as a vital part of world heritage. That means those picture-perfect villages like Hautvillers, where Dom Pérignon himself perfected Champagne, are waiting for you to discover them. We can explore charming Aÿ-Champagne and Mareuil-sur-Aÿ too – think cobblestone streets and hidden wine cellars – before heading to grand Champagne Houses for cellar tours and tastings. And of course, no trip to Epernay is complete without a stroll down the dazzling Avenue de Champagne, home to some of the biggest names in bubbly. I’ve even written a whole guide on the Avenue de Champagne just for that!
• Then there’s Reims, a city that takes your breath away with its history. Picture yourself standing in the magnificent Notre-Dame de Reims Cathedral, imagining French kings being crowned in that very spot. We can wander through the Palais du Tau and the ancient abbey of Saint-Rémi, feeling the weight of 2000 years of history.
  I’ve shared all my favorite Reims tips in my blog posts so you won’t miss a thing :
  • Visit Reims: The Best Things to Do and See
  • Things to Do in Reims in One Day
  • Best Champagne Tour from Paris

Ready to plan your own unforgettable Champagne adventure? I’ve got you covered. Check out my tips for visiting Champagne Houses to avoid common mistakes, and discover why harvest season is a truly magical time to visit.

Visit the Champagne region and discover the secrets of champagne production

You can’t visit the Champagne region and NOT taste the stars of the show! But trust me, there’s more to Champagne than meets the eye (or the palate). It’s a story centuries in the making, a blend of history, science, and a little bit of magic.

Want to unlock those secrets? Join a passionate local guide for a day tour that’ll take you behind the scenes. You’ll learn how those tiny grapes transform into the world’s most celebrated drink, from the moment they’re harvested to the final celebratory “pop.”

Imagine yourself descending into cool, silent cellars where millions of bottles rest, patiently aging to perfection and hearing the fascinating stories of the Champagne-making process, from pressing to fermentation to riddling.

For a truly authentic Champagne adventure, I recommend experiencing both worlds: the grandeur of a famous Champagne House and the intimacy of a small independent winemaker.

• Immerse yourself in the history and legacy of a renowned Champagne House in Reims, like Champagne Veuve Clicquot or Champagne Lanson, where you can explore grand cellars and taste exquisite cuvées. My guide to the Best Champagne Houses to visit in Reims for First-Timers can help you choose.
• Then, discover hidden gems among the top Champagne houses in Reims, each with their own unique charm and character.
• For a more personal experience, venture off the beaten path and visit a small Champagne producer. In my guide to visiting Winegrowers in Champagne, I share my favorite family-run estates where you can meet the passionate winemakers and taste exceptional Champagnes.
• And if you’re looking for a great place to start your Epernay adventures, check out my guide to the 5 Must-Visit Champagne Houses in Epernay for First-Timers. Don’t forget to also explore the most beautiful cellars in Epernay, a journey through the heart of Champagne production.

No matter your preference, a Champagne tour is a journey that will captivate your senses. From the most beautiful cellars in Epernay to the charming vineyards of small independent producers, the Champagne region awaits with a glass of bubbly in hand!

Take a tour and learn how to saber Champagne

For an original experience and a visit that will leave you with lifelong memories, we suggest that you learn how to saber Champagne. The bubbles will only taste better!

What makes their tours a little extra special is that your introduction to sabering takes place in the heart of the vineyards and is then followed by a tasting of the bottle sabered by you.

There’s nothing quite like the thrill of sabering a bottle of Champagne in the heart of its homeland : Champagne Region. This dramatic and elegant technique, known as sabrage, dates back to the days of Napoleon’s cavalry, who celebrated their victories with Champagne and a saber in hand. Today, you can step into their boots — figuratively, of course — and add a touch of tradition and flair to your visit to the Champagne region

Why Sabering is a Must-Try in Champagne Region ? It’s an experience that blends skill, fun, and a touch of theatrics, leaving you with not just bubbles in your glass but a memory to cherish forever.

How to Plan Your Champagne Adventure

To make the most of your time in the Champagne region, I recommend using platforms like Rue des Vignerons, Viator, or Winalist. These tools make it easy to plan your visit by letting you input the dates you’ll be in the area, select your preferred tour language, and explore available experiences. You’ll find everything from vineyard tours to sabering sessions, complete with prices and detailed descriptions, all in one place.

If you’re ready to turn your trip to Champagne into a story worth telling, sabering is the perfect way to start. It’s bold, it’s fun, and it’s undeniably Champagne. So, grab your saber (or let the professionals guide you), raise your glass, and toast to an unforgettable adventure in the land of bubbles. To find the best places to try sabering, check out my detailed guide

Discovering the Towns and Villages of Champagne

When you think of Champagne, the first things that come to mind are probably the vineyards and the famous cellars. But there’s so much more to this region! It’s dotted with picturesque towns and villages, each offering its own charm, history, and unique experiences. Here are a few places you simply can’t miss:

Walk down the wealthiest avenue in the world

A must-see in the Champagne region, the Avenue de Champagne, also known as the richest avenue in the world, awaits you in the heart of Epernay, the capital of Champagne.

It owes its fame to the treasure it preserves more than 200 million bottles of Champagne on more than 110 kilometres of pits beneath the houses.

Classified as a Unesco World Heritage Site since 2015, the Avenue de Champagne is an expression of our heritage par excellence, thanks in particular to the Champagne Houses that have taken up residence there.

These Champagne Houses welcome you. Visit and discover the history of the Champagne houses, which invite you to explore their cellars, each one more beautiful than the next.

Visiting Champagne is also an opportunity to taste some bubbles on the terraces before visiting the museum and the town hall, both located in the heart of the Avenue de Champagne.

Champagne: A Quick Escape From Paris!

You might be surprised to learn that getting to Champagne from Paris is actually a breeze! Imagine this: you’re stepping off the plane at Charles de Gaulle Airport in Paris, and within 45 minutes, you could be sipping Champagne in Reims, the heart of the region! That’s right – it’s faster than getting to the center of Paris itself!

And if you’re already in the city, a quick 45-minute train ride from Gare de l’Est will take you directly to Reims. Just be sure to choose the “Reims Centre” station, not “Champagne Ardennes TGV,” for the most convenient access to the city center.

For a direct trip to the heart of Champagne, hop on the train from Gare de l’Est to Epernay. The journey takes about 1 hour and 40 minutes, and the last 20 minutes offer a truly enchanting view – you’ll be treated to breathtaking panoramas of the rolling Champagne vineyards. It’s the perfect way to get a sneak peek of the region’s beauty before even arriving!

Here are the best ways to come and explore our two champagne capitals from Paris!

Epernay

• Car: via the motorway, Epernay is 1 hour 40 minutes from Charles de Gaulle airport, Paris and 1 hour 50 minutes from Orly airport.
• Train: from Paris Est station, it takes 1 hour and 40 minutes by TGV to get to Épernay.
• Bus: several companies offer bus services from various stations within Paris to Épernay.

Reims

• Car: Reims is located 1 hour and 30 minutes from Charles de Gaulle airport, Paris and 1 hour 45 minutes from Orly airport.
• Train: by TGV, and from Paris Est station, you can reach Reims in 45 minutes with a direct link.
• Bus: several companies offer bus services from various stations within Paris to Reims.

And for those who like to socialise, we invite you to try a carpooling trip from Paris to Reims and Épernay.

But the Champagne region is about more than just history and bubbles (although those are pretty amazing!). It’s about the friendly locals, the delicious food, and the stunning landscapes that are just begging to be explored by bike, on foot, or even in a vintage car! I’ve written all about the best ways to experience the Champagne region – from quirky accommodations to my favorite local restaurants.

We know that our top 5 reasons for visiting the Champagne region have whet your appetite. We assure you that there are many more must-sees in Épernay and its surroundings. We will help you discover the best addresses to visit the Champagne region.

Book your visit at one of our apartments, and come and tour the Champagne region. Staying with us means spending time with two passionate local people of the beautiful Champagne region, France.

We are waiting for you, with a glass of Champagne! See you soon!

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