Explore Champagne, France: Top Attractions, Vineyards And Travel Tips

Forbes

9 hours ago

Champagne region in France at sunrise. getty
"I only drink Champagne on two occasions, when I am in love and when I am not." Coco Chanel
If you haven't had the pleasure of visiting the Champagne region in north east France and its beautiful villages, vineyards and Champagne houses, this is the year to do so. July 4, 2025 marks the 10-year anniversary since Champagne hillsides, houses and cellars became a UNESCO World Heritage site. And there will be major festivities on the day including a big party in Champillon, in the heart of the historic hillsides, that will include a picnic, music, dance and birthday cake. Festivities will continue throughout the month to celebrate the world's most prestigious sparkling wine.
On July 14, 2025 on the Avenue de Champagne in Epernay there'll be a picnic, toast and party with fireworks. July 19th will feature a picnic concert of the Flâneries Musicales at the Parc de Champagne, in Reims.
Champagne vineyards Comite
Champagne is unique to the Champagne region and is a protected appellation (AOC); recognised in more than 130 countries worldwide (although not, surprisingly in the United States). It is so highly prized that a special committee controls every aspect of the sparkling drink from how many grapes are grown in the region and when they'll be harvested, to the number of bottles that are to be sold each year. Since 1941, the CIVC (Comité Interprofessionnel du Vin de Champagne) has promoted the common interests of Champagne houses and growers and ensured the wine has retained its prized status globally. The Comité records all transactions, track the movement, manage the reserve and protect the appellation against counterfeit products.
Champagne grand cru sparkling wine production in bottles in rows in dark underground cellars, Reims, Champagne, France getty
But Champagne is not just simply prized and enjoyed thanks to the efforts of the Comité but because of the unique qualities of the actual product itself, created every year by over 16,000 winegrowers from grapes harvested by hand by 120,000 pickers. The cool climate and unique terroir (chalk soil) where the three main grape varieties are grown (Pinot noir, Chardonnay, Meunier) contribute to the wine's unique flavors. Champagne has long been associated with special occasions, joyful moments, success and positivity. As Charles Dickens said: 'Champagne is one of the elegant extras in life.'
View of the Avenue de Champagne, Épernay, France getty The wine of Kings and the King of wines
The Champagne vineyards date back to Roman times when they were planted in the 5th century (or possibly even earlier). From 816 to 1825, France's royalty was crowned in Champagne's Reims Cathedral, where Champagne was the prized drink of coronation banquets and it was customary to gift these wines to any royalty visiting the region. This has included British royals since the 17th century when King Charles II first enjoyed the sparkling wine while Queen Victoria was the first British monarch to issue royal warrants to Champagne producers. So Champagne came to be known as the wine of coronations and referred to as "the wine of Kings and the King of wines.' Champagne's revered reputation was so firmly established by the twentieth century that even Winston Churchill famously said to motivate his troops, "Remember gentlemen, it's not just France we are fighting for, it's Champagne." Today, the UK is Champagne's second biggest export market (after the United States) in volume and in value. And although the wine became the drink of Royalty, in Champagne today, you'll find it in most households throughout the region. In fact, Champagne makers will tell you that in the region, Champagne is 'vin de pays' — nothing pretentious, easy drinking and not just for special occasions.
Reims,France - Storage of bottles of champagne getty Champagne houses, Cooperatives and Growers to Visit
There are 16,200 winegrowers in Champagne, 130 Cooperatives and 370 Champagne houses that produced 271.4 million bottles of Champagne in 2024. Many are open to visit. The Avenue de Champagne in Epernay is a great place to start. Many of the well known Champagne Houses including Moët & Chandon, Perrier-Jouët and Pol Roger are located here and offer tastings and tours and of course, the option to buy bottles. Also, there's an excellent shop, Trésors de Champagne, that offers a wide selection of Champagnes, starting as low as 18 euros a bottle, some of which you can try by the glass.
After experiencing Champagne Avenue, venture out to some of the houses and growers including these five that will give you a good range of Champagne styles from large and medium houses to small, independent growers.
Champagne Pommery was founded in Reims in 1836 by Monsieurs Alexandre Louis Pommery and Narcisse Greno. Initially, the company focused on wool production before moving into Champagne. But it was the genius of Madame Louise Pommery who not only created the first vintage "brut" Champagne in 1874 but greatly expanded the business with production increasing from 300,000 bottles to 3 million. Today, the house sells around six million bottles annually and stores 25 million in reserve in its cellars. It has an impressive visitor offering with extensive tours in 18 kilometers of Roman cellars, various tasting packages and a lovely Art Nouveau villa to visit. And since 2003, Pommery has had ambitious annual art exhibitions in the cellars.
Champagne Besseraat de Bellefon, founded in 1843 in Epernay, is a medium size house, producing 700,000 bottles a year. They use the Meunier grape, the only indigenous grape to Champagne and using a unique process and less sugar results in a unique taste and bubbles that are 30 percent finer than other Champagnes. The house has a shop and you can stay on site in one of three lovely suites.
Champagne Vincent d'Astrée, launched in 1956 in Pierry, is a cooperative of five families buying from 170 growers. It has a lovely tasting room and offers a cellar tour where you can see the world's largest Champagne flute (160 bottles are required to fill it). It's a boutique operation headed by a female winemaker and produces 50,000 bottles a year consisting of 4 vintage and 4 non-vintage.
Champagne Jacquart in Reims opened in 1964 and today has a stellar signature collection (all aged at least 3 years) ranging in price from 38 to 130 euros. You can buy these from their shop and try the wines by the glass on their charming terrace, including the priciest Alpha 2014, just released this summer.
Christian Muller is a small grower in Mailly Champagne that produces 20 -25,000 bottles a year of 4 different Champagnes, all excellent. Their stunning new terrace above their shop overlooks their own vineyards and is an idyllic spot for a tasting. Where to Stay and Eat in Champagne
Notre-Dame de Reims, Listed as World Heritage Site by UNESCO getty
A good base for a visit to the region is Hotel Margaux, a new 4-star property in Epernay with 27 elegant rooms and suites.
Unsurprisingly, visitors are spoiled for choice of excellent restaurants. Table Kobus in Epernay is a fantastic bistro with four prix fixe options with French classics like Foie Gras and duck magret. For an upscale dining experience, La Brasserie Le Jardin is in the beautiful grounds of Le Domaine les Crayeres in Reims. Chef Christophe Moret offers a seasonal, local menu a la carte or prix fixe. And while in Reims, be sure to visit the magnificent Cathédrale de Reims. Rotisserie Henri IV in Ay offers a casual outdoor dining experience with daily specials like roast chicken and various salads. Top tips for the perfect Champagne serve
Tasting of brut and demi-sec white champagne sparkling wine from special flute glasses getty
The recommended serving temperature is between 8 and 10°C. To chill a bottle of Champagne, place in an ice bucket filled half with water and half with ice, 30 minutes before serving. Or chill at the bottom of the fridge a few hours before opening.
When opening a bottle of Champagne, start by removing the wire cage and its foil cap. Keep a firm grip on the cork and be sure not to point the bottle at anyone. Next, still keeping a firm hold on the cork, hold the bottle by the body and rotate it gently, removing the cork from the neck without letting it escape. When serving, do not hold the person's glass when pouring.
As glamorous as it looks, the coupe is not the best glass for Champagne. Choose a fairly tall and tulip-shaped – bulbous at the bottom glass to give the bubbles enough room to develop but which tapers at the top to fully concentrate the aromas.