I recently returned from a whirlwind travel agent FAM trip to Champagne, France, where officials from the Champagne tourism offices in the area wined, dined and toured us through their beautiful region.
If you are planning a trip there, here are my top picks for a great stay, which you can use as your personal guide to Champagne, France.
A few days in Champagne can be a great addition to a river cruise vacation starting in Paris, since it is so easily accessible. But, if you really love Champagne, plan on staying at least 4-5 days so you can see the variation among the sub-appellations of Champagne and have time to explore the smaller villages.
Getting There
You can easily access Champagne using high speed TGV train from Paris, which takes about 45 minutes, or by car if you prefer to drive. If you are planning on visiting champagne houses and really want to see the country side, you will probably want to have a car to facilitate getting around.
Where to Stay
There are lots of hotels for every budget in the area, but here are my picks:
Hostellerie La Briqueterie, a five-star boutique hotel and spa located just a few kilometers from Epernay, in the countryside, offers a quite retreat with beautiful grounds and charming decor. There is an indoor pool, a spa, tennis courts and many amenities. Part of the Relais & Chateaux family, it features a Michelin-starred restaurant
Hotel de la Paix in Reims, is a wonderful four-star hotel in the heart of Reims and walking distance to many sights important sights.
For a less expensive alternative, the Holiday Inn in Reims is a great affordable place to stay.
Champagne House Tours & Tastings
Where do I begin? On my last trip to Champagne I had the opportunity to visit more than ten of the area's champagne houses and producers. But I will spare you a ridiculously long list and just give you my top five champagne tasting and tour experiences. To really learn about champagne and experience the variety that is available, you should visit both large and famous champagne houses and smaller producers and growers. Here are five that stood out from my last visit.
Champagne Voirin-Jumel
This was one of my favorites. Located in the village of Cramant, Voirin-Jumel makes champagne from Chardonnay grapes grown in its Grand Cru vineyards. The tasting room is open Monday to Friday from 9:00am to Noon and from 1:30pm to 5:00pm, and on Saturday from 10am to Noon and from 2:00pm to 4:30pm. Alice, the owner, will greet you with glass of champagne and take you on a stroll through her family's Grand Cru vineyards before a visit to the cellars and overview of how her champagne is made. Reservations are recommended.
Champagne Gallimard
Located in the charming village of Les Riceys, Champagne Gallimard treated us to a picnic in the vineyards, where we sampled local cheese, charcuterie and their lovely Le Rose des Riceys, a rose of Pinot Noir found only in this village. After our picnic, Arnaud Gallimard toured us through his winery's cellars and allowed us to sample several of his family's champagnes. Tours and tastings are by appointment only.
Champagne Dom Caudron
Located in the village of Passy-Grigny, Dom Caudron stands out as specialists in making champagne from the Pinot Meunier grape. Our host Victor, gave us perhaps the most entertaining and educational cellar tour we had the entire week. Highly recommended for the great service and excellent tour, as well as delicious champagne.
Champagne Collet COGEVI
This was one of the most beautiful champagne houses we visited, located in the Grand Cru village of Ay. They stood out for their beautiful museum, which traces the history of the Champagne cooperative which is Collet COGEVI since it's founding in 1921. The tour includes a visit into the century-old chalk cellars.
Champagne Devaux
This was probably my favorite of all of the tastings we experience. At this champagne house, we were able to taste the reserve wines that are used to make champagne. Have you ever tasted a white still wine made from Pinot Noir? Neither had I until this tasting. The guides allowed us to taste Chardonnay and Pinot Noir reserve wines that thier expert wine makers blend to make their champagne. Champagne Devaux offered the most educational tasting, and everyone learned something new that day, even the wine experts among us!
Restaurant Recommendations
Resources for Planning Your Trip
You can call us, and we will arrange everything for you! Or you can contact the tourism board for ideas. Most champagne houses require reservations for tours, and most offer unique experiences, such as dinners in the caves and special tastings, that are only available if you arrange them in advance. Roux Wine Tours can assist you with all of the details. Just give us a call at 888.251.3096 or click here.
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Photos used with permission from Bitter Glitter.
