We invite you on a journey to discover Hautvillers, a small French village with beautiful views over Epernay and the Champagne valley, and the home of Dom Pérignon, the monk who became famous for his talents in the wine industry.
Welcome to our home. We are Sarah and Romain, in love with the Champagne region, sharing with you our favourite places in and around Epernay and Reims. Today, we’re zooming in on Hautvillers, a small picturesque village located about ten minutes from Epernay and 30 minutes from Reims. Hautvillers is a must-see during your stay in the Champagne region, France.
What should I do in Hautvillers? What are the places and tours not to be missed? We’ll take you on the road with our best suggestions, for an unforgettable time in Champagne, in the heart of this village, between history and heritage.
Hautvillers: Dom Pérignon’s village
Between the hills of the valley stands the small village of Hautvillers, the one nicknamed the cradle of Champagne, in the heart of the prestigious hillsides listed as a World Heritage site by UNESCO.
This small village of winegrowers shines thanks to champagne. It owes its fame much to its rich history and in particular thanks to the famous Dom Pérignon, the spiritual father of champagne. He rests today in the choir of the church of Saint-Sindulphe, a place to put on the programme of your day tour in Hautvillers.
The story goes that Dom Pérignon wanted to create the best wine in the world, and it was in the former Abbey of Saint-Pierre Hautvillers, he discovered the secret of making champagne. If the house that bears his name and the worldwide fame of champagne are anything to go by, his dream has come true.
Guided tours with the Tourist Office, Hautvillers
Those who prefer to be in the company of experts who are passionate about Hautvillers and its region will gladly make an appointment for one of the guided tours organised by the tourist office of Hautvillers. A sparkling atmosphere for bubble lovers, with a tasting of Champagne from a local winemaker, all in the heart of the village cellars.
And if you want to discover Hautvillers on your own without missing out on the valuable information provided by the guides, a small booklet with the village’s must-sees will help you along your free champagne tour.
Adventurers will be happy to take a tour full of little riddles, discover the village while having fun with family or friends, and, most importantly, solve the main riddle.
Info: on request and reservation, the tours can be commented in English or German.
- Further tour information: https://www.tourisme-hautvillers.com/en/
- Tour Prices: from €7
The must-see view of Hautvillers
What if you could see Hautvillers in all its splendour? It is possible, and from one of the most beautiful spots in the area!
Head for the Royal Champagne Hôtel & Spa 5*, located in the heart of the valley and the Champagne vineyards. It is the perfect place to enjoy a panoramic view of Hautvillers. It is the ideal time to appreciate a gourmet break at the bistronomic or gastronomic restaurant of the premises or to be tempted by a glass of wine at the bar.
We recommend this hotel for an enchanted break with a sumptuous view while enjoying a luxury quality service. We tell you more in our article compiling the best hotels in Épernay.
- Address: 9 Rue de la République 51160 Champillon, France
- Tel: 03.26.52.87.11
- Menus and reservations: https://royalchampagne.com/en/restaurant.html
Walks in Hautvillers: a day between vineyards and forest
Nature lovers will be delighted to go green in the heights of Hautvillers, where there is a superb natural area labelled an Exceptional Forest. For us, this is a place to go, so as not to miss the numerous viewpoints on the region and spend a moment in one of the most beautiful landscapes in our region.
While sports enthusiasts rush to the fitness trail, hikers can tour the various paths on offer, with routes suitable for children.
Our advice: put on your trainers and walk the pic noir trail, which is accessible to all and designed for families. It is a small 2.5 km loop, along which you will come across the animals of the forest, with playful signs to educate the young and old.
We also recommend the monks’ circuit for a short 3.5 km hike, starting in Hautvillers. This route alternates between ascents and descents, during which you can enjoy a superb view of the valley and a crossing of the village, as well as some passages in the heart of the vineyards.
The winegrowers of Hautvillers
Champagne Marion Bosser
After these tours you deserve to enjoy some tastings, so we suggest you visit the local wine producers, who offer gourmet and sparkling tastings. There are also some restaurants in Hautvillers, but they are rare. Next, we recommend that you go and visit the small vineyards of the area.
We invite you to push open the door of Champagne Marion Bosser in the heart of Hautvillers. Tasting trilogies from 18 euros. Champagne by the glass from 6 euros (and real wine glasses! 10cl please!).
This local family welcomes you every day (yes, even on Sundays) from 10 am to 7 pm in summer (6 pm in winter) with a smile. Visiting with this friendly family is a great opportunity if you want to learn a little more about the history of this house and its champagnes.
- Tel: 03.10.15.30.94
- Address: 1 rue de la Croix de fer 51160 Hautvillers, France
- Opening hours: 10 am to 7 pm
Marion Bosser’s shop, Hautvillers
Champagne Bliard-Labeste
For an equally convivial moment, do not hesitate to stop by the Champagne Bliard-Labeste tasting cellar! We had the pleasure of tasting their different wine batches, and we also spent a great moment with Florian and Manon who gave us a visit.
The family has decided to be a cooperative harvester with their 3 hectare estate, which means that they take care of the vines and the harvest, and then delegate the processing and bottling before the production is sold.
Indeed, the Bliard-Labeste champagne is the result of work carried out all year round on the family vineyard, before the grapes are handed over to the Hautvillers winegrowers’ cooperative for production.
The tasting costs only €4 a glass, so you don’t have to go without, and even more so if you take your own bottles home. I truly enjoyed this gourmet moment in an intimate and warm atmosphere.
To pursue the immersive experience in Champagne, Florian offers a tour of the vineyard including tastings on board a superb van combi. And to top it all off, you can even enjoy a picnic with regional products to taste in the middle of the vineyards or treat yourself with a visit to the cooperative’s cellars.
- Address: 167 Rue des Buttes, 51160 Hautvillers
- Opening hours: 10am-6pm on Saturday and Sunday
Champagne Joseph Desruets
I had the chance to visit the Joseph Desruets family estate together with Sabine who is very pleasant and shares some really interesting information about the estate and the production of champagne.
The family spirit is everywhere, even in the making of Champagne, as evidenced by the old press that is still in use. It was installed in 1888 and is the oldest press in the Champagne region still in use. Do I have to say something else to convince you it’s a must-see?
I fell in love with this house, both for the champagnes and for the quality of the visit which is done in small groups of up to 8 people. it’s the perfect way to discover another production process, especially for the pressing which is very different from a press that has more than 130 years of history and work experience in its hands.
The organic transformation of the farm illustrates the commitment of these independent winegrowers who love the Champagne terroir and perpetuate the tradition every day. While most growers have vines in several locations, the entire Joseph Desruets vineyard is located in Hautvillers, the very village where champagne was born.
The tasting was quite simply awesome, and I really enjoyed tasting their wine batches which I would recommend to you eyes closed. Along with the champagnes, you will find some côteaux champenois, delicious white or red wines that are vinified in an ovoid ceramic sandstone tank.
I encourage you to taste the Coeur de Pinots cuvée, an extra-brut premier cru produced from the family’s historic vineyard parcels.
Entrance to the Joseph Desruets estate including 3 tastings is only €15, and it’s free if you return with two bottles, which you’ll want to do after the champagne has enveloped your palate. It is mandatory to book your visit, so be sure to call ahead to get a reservation.
The entrance fee to visit the Joseph Desruets is waived if you purchase two bottles, which you will want to do once the champagne has coated your palate. As the experience is by reservation only, remember to call ahead before your visit to secure a time slot and ensure you don’t miss out on the chance to visit Hautvillers.
For those of you who visit the Champagne during the harvest period, Joseph Desruets organizes an annual open house during which you can taste the freshly pressed grape juice, a real must-do experience.
- Address: 85 Rue de Bacchus, 51160 Hautvillers
Though Hautvillers is the cradle of Champagne, there are no huge cellars like in Epernay or Reims. And there is a good reason for this: there are many water sources in the subsoil, which is a natural barrier that did not allow for the digging of chalk pits.
To better understand this, let’s go back in time and picture the first cellar constructions at a time when the waterproofing of the soil was not yet under control. Since these places are UNESCO World Heritage treasures and for the sake of preservation, it is now forbidden to dig in the village’s soils.
Hautvillers is the good place for a half-day visit, but as lovers of the Champagne region, we suggest you spend a weekend there. It is a nice location to discover the best stops in Epernay and the surroundings.
Photo credit: My Vintage Tour Company
Hautvillers : Practical information
Best way to go to Hautvillers
By car / By taxi / With a touristic guide
- The only way to go to Hautvillers is by car.
- If you have booked a tour with a guide like “My vintage tour” or “Ay Champagne Experience”, do not hesitate to ask them if this Champagne village is part of the trip.
- The taxi is another way to go to Hautvillers with an average price around 20 euros to go there.
I recommend the company A’Gil Taxi. I did call them many times for my guests apartments, and they are always on time and present: + 33 3 26 59 01 44
By bike
An electric bike is more than recommended! Hautvillers is a small village located up to the hill. It is possible to rent one at the Epernay office. It will take you 30 minutes (relatively sporty at the end even with assistance!) to reach Hautvillers from the center of Epernay.
Money
There are no ATMs in Hautvillers. The nearest distributors are in Ay-Champagne or even in Dizy.
Market day
- Thursday morning in the central square
Bakery
- Closed Sunday afternoon and Monday
Restaurants
- Au 36
- Café d’Hautvillers
Viewpoint
- Belvédère Dom Pérignon : Panoramic view of the Marne Valley at the Dom Pérignon site
- Panoramic site of the Saint Joseph
- Picnic Area “Les Tuileau”
Car Park
- Hautvillers is a very small village, and parking spaces are scarce in town. A large secure car park is located at the bottom of the village of Hautvillers: Le Parking du Jard Kiedrich
Our advice: don’t miss any of the sights during your tour through the narrow streets of the village. We suggest that you take time to look up and discover 140 old stone houses and the facades of Hautvillers.
Where to stay in Hautvillers?
Comfortable cottages in Hautvillers
Extend the pleasure by spending a night in the heart of Hautvillers and enjoy the charm of the village at nightfall and under the first rays of sunlight on the valley.
Danielle and Eric offer you the flats Au Terminus, Au Terminus 2 and Au Terminus 3, all fully equipped and comfortable, but also ideally located to enjoy our beautiful Champagne region for a weekend.
Spending the night in these Hautvillers apartments is a guarantee of authenticity and comfort. We really recommend these cosy and warm accommodations. As the many positive reviews show, we are not the only ones who appreciate this cocoon in the heart of the Champagne vineyards, and it is also effortless to find.
♥ our favourite: living right next to the apartments, Danielle and Eric are happy to give you their best local advice and help you discover the area in a unique way. Ask Danielle to tell you her own version of the discovery of Champagne 😉
Au terminus 1
Au terminus 2
Au terminus 3
Camping-car parking area in Hautvillers
Visit Hautvillers and discover its charm and beauty with the convenience of a camping-car parking area. The free parking area is located at the bottom of the village, near the secure Parking du Jard Kiedrich, offering a beautiful view of the vineyards.
With five available spots and a nearby public restroom, this parking area is the perfect option for your visit to Hautvillers.
If you are looking to visit Hautvillers, please note that it is unfortunately not possible to spend the night there in a camper. However, I invite you to head to the Mareuil sur Ay camper area which offers a very nice view of the canal, a playground for children, and a greenway ideal for cyclists and walkers.
By staying here, you will be just a few minutes’ drive from Hautvillers, a famous Champagne village known for its abbey and wine-making history. So don’t hesitate any longer and plan your visit to Hautvillers now!
Looking to discover an underrated gem in Champagne? Don’t miss the village of Châtillon-sur-Marne and its breathtaking landscapes.
Because we love to share moments with you, we welcome you to our comfortable apartments located just a stone’s throw from the Avenue de Champagne and the town centre of Epernay, France.
Come and spend your weekend in Epernay, Reims, and Hautvillers in the Champagne region, discovering the best bubbles in the world and the places that make up its rich heritage!
Hautvillers
Ay-Champagne
Epernay
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