Best Champagne Cellars in Reims: The Top 5 Houses to Visit in 2026

Updated June 2026

Because the finest moments in life deserve to be celebrated — and because there’s no better way to mark them than with a glass of champagne — today I’m taking you to discover the best champagne cellars in Reims, where this French icon is shown at its most beautiful.

And what better way to step into this effervescent world than a tour and tasting in the cellars of Reims, one of the two unofficial capitals of Champagne? While the most famous label of all, Moët & Chandon, is actually based in our sister capital Épernay (don’t miss its 110 kilometres of cellars along the Avenue de Champagne), Reims is home to its own legends: Veuve Clicquot, Ruinart, Taittinger and more.

Visiting these champagne houses to visit in Reims isn’t just an excursion — it’s a journey through time, a leap into the past, an invitation to explore the underground galleries that form our historical heritage. So join me on an expedition into the heart of the chalk pits for a sparkling, unforgettable experience, behind the scenes of the greatest names in Champagne.

Which cellars should you visit in Reims? Here is my personal top 5 of the most beautiful champagne cellars in Reims — plus one extra stop just outside the city that’s well worth the short drive.

ℹ️ Info: A chalk pit (or crayère) is a gallery dug to extract lime chalk. In the Champagne region, these chalk pits are used as cellars to age wine and champagne — many of them are now listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

What’s New in the Reims Champagne cellars in 2026

The houses of Reims keep reinventing the visitor experience, so here’s what changed recently and is worth knowing before you book:

• Taittinger has unveiled a completely redesigned visitor experience on its historic site, and opened Polychrome, its new gastronomic restaurant — so you can now pair a cellar tour with a full meal.
• Ruinart inaugurated a brand-new, modern reception centre, redesigned to welcome visitors in a beautiful architectural space before heading down into the crayères.
• Vranken-Pommery renews its contemporary art exhibition in the cellars every year — a fresh reason to come back even if you’ve visited before.
• A few prices have been updated for 2026 (see each house below), so it’s worth checking before you go.

Taittinger Champagne House in Reims

♥ Champagne Houses listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site

If you’re searching for the most impressive of the best champagne cellars in Reims, I have to start with a true favourite of mine: Taittinger. I visited in December, and honestly, I left completely in awe. I had high expectations — it’s a world-renowned house — but what they’ve created goes far beyond reputation.

From the moment you arrive, you feel that something special is happening. The reception area has been beautifully restored, and the design is elegant, modern and refined without ever feeling intimidating. That balance is not easy to achieve. It’s chic, but you feel comfortable. You feel welcome. And that matters.

The visit begins with a short introductory film, just a few minutes long, which gently sets the scene. It offers a glimpse into the spirit of the house — its vision, the people behind it, and the vineyards that shape its identity. It doesn’t go too deeply into history, but rather gives you a feeling for what Taittinger represents today. It’s subtle, inspiring, and the perfect way to ease into the experience before heading underground.

The welcome itself is warm and professional, setting the tone for what becomes an unforgettable experience. Then comes the real magic: the visit of the crayères, the ancient chalk cellars listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site. Walking through these underground galleries is simply breathtaking. The soft light, the silence, the depth — you truly feel the history of Champagne surrounding you. There are small pathways, carefully designed spaces, and a storytelling approach that makes the entire parcours fluid and immersive.

What impressed me most is how Taittinger has succeeded in creating a visitor experience that lives up to its international reputation. This is a major champagne house known all over the world, and yet the visit feels thoughtful, human and beautifully curated. The tasting room continues that feeling of elegance and comfort, and the adjoining restaurant makes the whole experience complete. It’s a true destination, not just a cellar tour.

Of course, the tasting is exceptional. If you can, I highly recommend upgrading your experience to taste the Comtes de Champagne. It’s simply sublime — refined, precise, unforgettable. For anyone who loves discovering prestigious houses and wants to understand the excellence behind the label, this is a must.

For me, Taittinger is absolutely one of the most beautiful and inspiring visits among the champagne cellars Reims proudly showcases. If you want history, beauty and world-class champagne in one place, this is it.

A few of the experiences on offer:

• « L’Instant Rosé »: An introduction to the House paired with a tasting of the Brut Reserve and the Prestige Rosé.
• « L’Instant Gourmet »: A gourmet experience centered around a food and champagne pairing crafted by Michelin-starred Chef Philippe Mille, featuring the Brut Vintage and the Prestige Rosé.
• « L’Instant Signé »: A sensory tasting journey through the Brut Reserve, Prélude Grands Crus, and the prestigious Comtes de Champagne Blanc de Blancs Grands Crus, highlighting Taittinger’s heritage and culture.

Practical info:

• Price: from €40 per adult ticket
• Hours: open daily; hours vary by season (roughly 9:30 AM–6:00 PM) — book ahead
• New in 2026: redesigned visitor experience + the new “Polychrome” gastronomic restaurant
• Address: 9 place Saint Nicaise, 51100 Reims
• Parking: on-site — simply drive into the Taittinger courtyard

Veuve Clicquot Champagne House in Reims

♥ Champagne House listed as UNESCO World Heritage Sites

Have you ever stumbled upon a story so captivating it stays with you long after you’ve heard it? That’s how I felt about the tale of the Grande Dame of Champagne, Madame Clicquot. Not many know her story, but it’s one that deserves to be told far and wide.

Madame Clicquot, born Barbe-Nicole Ponsardin, became a widow (“veuve” in French) at the young age of 27. In a time when women were seldom seen in the business world, let alone leading it, she took over her late husband’s champagne business. Her journey wasn’t just about creating exceptional champagne; it was about breaking barriers and setting new standards.

She introduced the world to several innovations we now consider quintessential to champagne making. Thanks to her, we can relish the delightful complexity of rosé champagne blends. She revolutionised the riddling process by inventing the riddling table, dramatically improving the clarity of champagne. And it was under her guidance that the first vintage champagne was produced.

Visiting the Crayères of Veuve Clicquot is like walking through chapters of history. Each step in their cellars, each story shared and every sip of their exquisite champagne is a testament to Madame Clicquot’s legacy.

I don’t think I need to spell out how much I adored my visit. But I will say this: to truly understand the essence of champagne, one must experience the journey where it all began. I invite you to explore the storied halls of the Veuve Clicquot champagne house. Believe me, it’s more than a tour — it’s an immersion into a rich, historical tapestry that still shapes the champagne world today. And don’t leave without lingering on the terrace of the Café Clicquot for a relaxed bistro-style moment.

Practical info:

• Price: from €36 per adult (Brut Carte Jaune visit, about 1 hour); higher tiers available up to the prestigious La Grande Dame tasting
• Hours: open Tuesday to Sunday, roughly 9:30 AM–5:30 PM, with a seasonal calendar — the cellars close in winter and reopen in spring (booking strongly recommended, especially in summer)
• Address: 1 Rue Albert Thomas, 51100 Reims, France
• Good to know: the Café Clicquot terrace is open to all visitors

Lanson Champagne House in Reims

Let me take you on a journey through time and tales, to one of the oldest champagne houses, established in 1760. Fast-forward more than 260 years, and here we are, still captivated by its allure — from the hidden gem of its secret garden to the mesmerising depths of its cellars, buried 12 metres below ground.

No chalk pits to be found here, but caves brimming with just as many mysteries.

Who would have thought that, wandering the streets of Reims, you’d stumble upon a vineyard? That’s precisely the delightful surprise waiting for you at Champagne Lanson. Nestled right in the urban heart, this tiny one-hectare Chardonnay vineyard puzzles many a visitor. Let’s be honest — I once believed there were no vineyards inside Reims itself. How wrong I was! Lanson is, in fact, the only Grande Maison in the centre of Reims to include a working Clos (a walled vineyard plot) in its tour — and standing among the vines with the cathedral towers rising in the distance is a genuinely magical moment.

What makes Lanson special is that the whole visit follows the champagne “from the vine to the flute.” You begin in the Clos, watching the vineyard cycle unfold right there in the city, before moving on to the technical stages in the vat room and down into the cellars. Everything here is an open book: the production methods, the gleaming stainless-steel vats that mirror our quaint Champagne villages, the tools, the massive oak casks. I especially loved learning that Lanson keeps a more traditional approach, choosing not to put its wines through malolactic fermentation — a detail that gives its champagnes that crisp, lingering freshness you taste in the glass.

The tour is both enlightening and packed with detail, letting you dive deeper into the champagne world. It’s masterfully executed, highlighting both the magic of the champagne-making process and the house’s rich, captivating history. It’s a mix of education and pure charm — a perfect addition to your list of things to do in Reims. By the end, glass in hand, the connection between the vine outside and the wine in your flute feels obvious and very, very satisfying.

• Price: from €32 per adult (the “Création Originale” experience with a tasting of Le Black Création); other tiers go up to the “Vintage” experience for serious collectors
• Tour duration: approximately 1h30 to 2h, in French and English
• Address: 66 Rue de Courlancy, 51100 Reims
• Getting there: the nearest tram stop, “Courlancy,” is just 450 metres away

Vranken Pommery Champagne House in Reims

♥Champagne Houses listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site

From start to finish, this visit is a true “wow” experience. If you have an artistic soul, or simply love creativity, this is the champagne house you must visit… and revisit. I was lucky enough to take a guided tour, with fascinating explanations about the house’s history that made the experience even more memorable. Honestly, I’m already planning to return, this time on my own, to take my time and fully enjoy the art exhibition displayed throughout the cellars.

Discover this champagne house in Reims, which boasts more than 50 hectares of vineyards. You’re not dreaming — you’re about to set foot in a place of incredible French heritage, where more than 60 Gallo-Roman chalk pits follow one another along 18 kilometres of cellars. To reach them, you descend the dramatic 116-step staircase down to the galleries, 30 metres below ground. The best part? You can explore at your own pace with an audio guide, soaking in the annual temporary exhibitions. Some artworks blend so naturally into the space that it feels like they were always meant to be there — and indeed some pieces remain because they seem made for this place.

As you can tell, I absolutely love visiting this champagne house in Reims, and I highly recommend it. (If it’s your first cellar visit, have a look at my tips for visiting champagne houses before you go.)

• Price: from €30 per adult (with a tasting of the Brut Royal)
• Hours: open 7 days a week; free parking on site (note the 116 steps down to the crayères)
• Good to know: the contemporary art exhibition in the cellars is renewed every year; the Villa Demoiselle, just across the road, can be visited too
• Address: 5 Place du Général Gouraud, 51100 Reims, France

Ruinart Champagne House in Reims

♥ Champagne Houses listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site

Welcome to the doyenne of champagne houses, born in 1729. Ruinart was the very first house to establish itself, paving the way for its sisters to offer the world the finest champagnes. We suggest you travel through time once more — but this time for a return to the future. Immerse yourself in the chalk pits where Ruinart’s champagnes have rested since the middle of the 18th century, before returning to the present to savour an exquisite moment with a tasting of two of the house’s cuvées, guided by the commentary of an expert sommelier.

These crayères are extraordinary: dug up to 40 metres deep, they form vast white cathedrals of chalk and are the only site within the city of Reims inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage list. In 2025 the house unveiled a brand-new, modern reception centre, so the visit now begins in a beautiful contemporary space before you head down into the silence of the caves.

Food lovers will be delighted to visit at the weekend — the perfect opportunity to enjoy a local brunch made with fresh produce by chef-in-residence. In the heart of the superb garden, emblematic vintages and refined dishes mingle on your table, to the delight of your taste buds.

• Price: from €90 per adult (from €50 for children aged 7–17, as of January 2026)
• Duration: visit + commented tasting, approximately 2 hours
• Good to know: new visitor reception centre opened in 2025; weekend brunch with the chef in residence
• Address: 4 Rue des Crayères, 51100 Reims, France

Champagne Canard-Duchêne – An extra stop near Reims (Ludes)

Beyond Reims, into the vineyards

Looking for a champagne house around Reims with a unique touch? Escape the city limits and venture about 15 to 20 minutes by car to the charming village of Ludes, home to the renowned Champagne House Canard-Duchêne. This scenic drive takes you through the heart of the vineyards, with breathtaking views over the rolling hills and sprawling vines of the Montagne de Reims. (Good to know: Canard-Duchêne is not in Reims itself but in Ludes — you’ll need a car, taxi or bike to get there, but it’s well worth the trip.)

Canard-Duchêne offers the chance to experience a larger champagne house while still enjoying an intimate, personalised tour. They’re especially famous for the thrilling Sabrage experience, where you learn to open a champagne bottle with a sabre. (Disclaimer: I may or may not have ended my own sabrage session showered in champagne… but that’s a story for another time!)

On sunny days, the tasting takes place in their beautiful gardens, nestled right at the foot of the vineyards. It’s the perfect setting to savour their champagnes and soak in the beauty of the region.

Practical info:

• Price: from €21 per adult (the sabrage experience costs more — around €95–100)
• Hours: Monday to Friday in January–February, Monday to Saturday from March to December, 10:00 AM–6:00 PM; guided tours at set times — booking recommended
• Getting there: a 15–20 minute drive from Reims — 1 Rue Edmond Canard, 51500 Ludes

The best guided tours departing from Reims

Enhance your visit to Champagne Houses in Reims with guided tour

When planning a visit to the champagne houses in Reims, a guided tour is an excellent way to make the most of your experience. You’ll benefit from the expertise of a local guide and enjoy seamless transport between locations, so you can relax and fully appreciate the tastings. Most tours combine a major champagne house with a smaller, independent producer, giving you a well-rounded view of how champagne is made.

⫷ For a detailed look at the best guided tours of Reims, check out my comprehensive guide to the best champagne tours from Reims with all my insider tips. ⫸

Here are a few of my top recommendations for exploring Champagne Houses of Reims on a guided tour:

• Wine tour: 100% Winegrowers’ Private Day in Champagne, from Reims:
  • A must-do after experiencing the grandeur of the larger Champagne Houses of Reims has to offer. This tour takes you off the beaten path to discover the passion and craftsmanship of independent winemakers. (Lunch included).
• Wine tour: Exclusive private day in Champagne, from Reims:
  • Indulge in the ultimate luxury with a private tour! Enjoy the undivided attention of your guide as you visit two producers and one of the renowned Champagne Houses of Reims is known for, enjoying a tasting of nine Champagnes. (Lunch included).
• Wine tour: Afternoon Hautvillers e-bike tour, from Reims:
  • Exploring the vineyards by bike is an absolute must-do! This tour picks you up in Reims and transports you to a charming village, where your cycling adventure begins.
• Wine tour: Champagne Full Day Wine Tour and winemaker’s meal, from Reims:
  • I’ve had the pleasure of experiencing several activities with this tour company, and they consistently deliver excellence. This tour offers the perfect blend of education and enjoyment.

Remember: No designated driver needed on a guided tour – cheers to that!

---

Before you’ve even arrived in Reims, you’ve probably already realised you can’t have a holiday here without diving into the heart of its most beautiful champagne cellars. Discovering these remarkable chalk pits and tasting the best vintages is a must for locals and visitors alike.

If you’re lucky enough to spend several days in the region, consider a trip to Épernay, just 30 minutes from Reims, to continue your champagne discovery in a town famous for its prestigious cellars. While you’re there, don’t miss the chalk-carved village of Hautvillers, the birthplace of Dom Pérignon — one of my favourite spots in the whole region.

👉 Check out our selection of the most beautiful cellars to visit in Épernay.

Because we love to give you our best advice and we are in love with our region, we invite you to book your stay in our gîtes to spend your best nights.

Alcohol abuse is dangerous for your health. Please drink responsibly.