Champagne

Come discover one of France’s most beautiful regions, full of culture, heritage, gastronomy, and of course, lots of Champagne! Either through the landscapes and vineyards or through its three top cities of Troyes, Reims, and Epernay, Champagne is waiting for you.

Its name sparkles with the promise of celebration – Champagne, with its UNESCO listed cellars, domains and vineyards, is a fitting location for the king of wines! Its grand Champagne Houses are the founders of a festive lifestyle best savoured in the heart of the vineyards. But Champagne also has a long and illustrious history. The Cathedral of Reims is where the coronation of the Kings of France took place and the ancient city of Troyes is a marvel of medieval architecture. And its chalky hillsides are dotted with memories of the Great War.

There are 114 wineries and six marked circuits on the Champagne tourist route, making a tour of the vineyards an easy experience. At the end of summer, when the hillsides are full of sweet, ripened fruit, it’s time for the harvest. Watching this stage of Champagne production is a fascinating window into the exceptional knowledge required to create the famous fizz.

But to fully appreciate the mysteries of Champagne, you need to go underground. In Reims an astonishing network of cellars is carved into the Hill of Saint-Nicaise. Here, six of the grand Champagne Houses store tens of millions of bottles, maturing in racks in medieval chalk pits like underground cathedrals. Take a tour to discover how Champagne is created, view the cellars and of course, enjoy a delicious tasting. At Vranken-Pommery, the annual exhibition of contemporary art makes the visit even more memorable.