Top 5 Most Beautiful Champagne Houses to Visit in Reims

Because it is important to celebrate the most beautiful moments of our lives, and because it is sabre-rattled to mark the high points of existence, today we are showing you this French must-have, champagne in its most beautiful light, in the best Champagne Houses in Reims!

And what better way than to enjoy tours, activities and tastings in the cellars of Reims, one of the two unofficial capitals of Champagne, to enter this effervescent world. To prolong the pleasure, don’t miss a tour of the other champagne capital, Epernay, with its 110 kilometres of cellars and its famous Avenue de Champagne.

Visiting the cellars of the most beautiful Champagne Houses, including names like Moet and Chandon, is not just an excursion, it’s a journey through time, a leap into the past, an invitation to discover the underground passages that make up our historical heritage. We invite you to an expedition to the heart of the chalk pits for a sparkling and memorable experience. Take part in history for a moment, through the backstage of the greatest names in Champagne.

Which cellars to visit in Reims? Discover our top 5 most beautiful Champagne Houses in Reims.
You’ll be amazed as we start our tour of the most beautiful Champagne Houses in Reims.

Info: A chalk pit is a gallery dug for the extraction of lime chalk. In the Champagne region, chalk pits are used as cellars for wine and champagne.

Lanson Champagne House in Reims

Lanson: Visit the most beautiful and best Champagne Houses of Reims

Let me take you on a journey through time and tales, to one of the oldest Champagne houses established in 1760. Fast-forward 260 years, and here we are, still captivated by its allure, from the hidden gem that is their secret garden, to the mesmerizing depths of their cellars, buried 12 meters beneath the ground.

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

Who would’ve thought that wandering the streets of Reims, you’d stumble upon a vineyard? That’s precisely the delightful surprise that awaits you at Champagne Lanson. Nestled right in the urban heart, this tiny Chardonnay vineyard hectare is a puzzle for many a visitor. Let’s be real, I too once believed there were no vineyards in Reims. How wrong I was!

Champagne Lanson is a journey of discovery waiting for you. Everything here is an open book: from their production methods to the gleaming stainless steel vats reflecting our quaint Champagne villages, down to the tools they use, like those massive oak casks.

The tour is both enlightening and packed with information, enabling you to dive deeper into the champagne world. The visit is masterfully executed, highlighting both the magic of the Champagne-making process and the house’s rich and captivating history. It’s a mix of education and pure charm, a perfect thing to add to your list of things to do in Reims.

• Price: Starting from 26 € for an adult ticket
• Tour Duration: Approximately 1h30
• More Info: 66 Rue de Courlancy, 51100 Reims
• Getting there: The nearest tram stop “Courlancy” is just 450 meters away. Perfect for a Reims champagne tour.

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, née 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 that we now consider quintessential to champagne making. Thanks to her, we can relish the delightful complexity of rosé champagne blends. She revolutionized the riddling process with the creation of the riddling table, significantly 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 continues to influence the champagne world to this day.

• Prices: from €30 for an adult entry
• More info: 1 Rue Albert Thomas, 51100 Reims, France

Vranken Pommery Champagne House in Reims

♥Champagne Houses listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site

On your way to explore this estate of more than 50 hectares, discover this Champagne House of Reims. You’re not dreaming, you’re about to set foot in a place of incredible historical French heritage, where more than 60 Gallo-Roman chalk pits follow one another along the 18 kilometres of wine cellars.

• For visitors who prefer to be in their own bubble and enjoy this unique experience, the House offers audio-guided tours of the Pommery Estate, Reims. Sail from the buildings to the cellars at your leisure while enjoying the audio commentaries of the House’s experts before ending this moment tasting a few bubbles.
• Those who prefer to learn from an enthusiast will be taken on a tour of the estate, attentive to the comments and anecdotes of the guide, before tasting the vintage Pommery Grand Cru Royal.
• To learn all about champagne and become an expert among connoisseurs, give yourself the experience of attending a master class alongside a sommelier from the House, with the best possible finale: the tasting of emblematic cuvées. To complete this sensory experience, a free tour of the cellars is planned.

The Villa Demoiselle, a little jewel of Art Nouveau, is a must-see place on the estate. It is possible to combine a day tour visit to the estate and the Villa.

Art lovers should take advantage of their visit to Domaine Pommery to tour the temporary exhibition.

• Prices: from €23 for an adult ticket
• More info: 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. It was the very first of the houses to establish itself in Reims, paving the way for its sisters to offer the world the best champagnes. We suggest you travel again, but this time for a return to the future. Immerse yourself in the chalk pits where Ruinart champagnes have made their home since the middle of the 18th century, before returning to the present to savour an exquisite moment thanks to the tasting of two of the House’s cuvées, under the commentary of an expert sommelier.

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

• Prices: from €70 for an adult ticket
• More info: 4 Rue des Crayères, 51100 Reims, France

Taittinger Champagne House in Reims

♥ Champagne Houses listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site

Through the passion for champagne that drives them, the Taittinger family wishes to pass on the heritage from generation to generation, with the desire to make its heritage shine throughout the world. In this Champagne House, the family spirit blends with the soul of the place to offer you excellence.

• At Taittinger, the visit may be unique, and it is a tailor-made experience that is offered to you, leaving you in control of the choice of the cuvée you will taste. But before savouring these bubbles, go back in time to discover all the secrets of champagne through the cellars of the House, the famous Gallo-Roman chalk pits from the 4th century, and then go to the remains of the Saint-Nicaise Abbey from the 13th century.
• For the more impatient, a virtual tour of this unique experience is available on the site, guaranteed to amaze.

The Maison Taittinger opens its doors to you for the organisation of your private receptions. In a place as exceptional as its cellars, the former residence of the Counts will make your events unforgettable.

Taittinger House, one of the most prestigious champagne houses in Reims, recently announced its temporary closure for renovation work.

This will allow the house to modernize its facilities and prepare for the future of its exceptional vintages. In the meantime, Taittinger House has set up a unique experience called “A la table de Thibaud IV“. This immersive experience allows visitors to discover the history of Taittinger House and taste its finest champagnes in an exceptional setting.

If you are a champagne lover looking for an unforgettable experience, don’t hesitate to book now!

Before you’ve even come to Reims, we’re sure you’ve already realised that you can’t have a holiday here without a dive into the heart of the most beautiful Champagne Houses. Discovering the incredible characteristic chalk pits and tasting the best vintages, like Moet and Chandon is a must for locals and visitors alike.

After discovering the secrets of champagne, we invite you to discover our beautiful Champagne region, as sparkling as the bubbles in your glass, between gastronomy, historical heritage and natural sites. We guarantee you will be totally charmed with all the activities that Reims has to offer.

Bubble lovers will be delighted to discover the best brewers in Epernay, because in Champagne, you can also find excellent craft beers. Right here, we’re going to enjoy an excellent beer in our favourite local breweries.

We toast to the wonderful memories you will make!

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.