Wine region · France

Champagne: chalk cellars and grower villages

Down in the chalk cellars under Reims and Épernay, the air is cool and still and smells faintly of yeast. Up above, rows of vines run over soft hills to villages with church spires. Champagne is the most accessible great wine region in Europe, and the bubbles are only the start.

Vineyards sloping down towards the rooftops of Hautvillers in the Marne valley
Hautvillers, view to Cumières, Champagne · Dguendel · CC BY 4.0

The lie of the land

The two hubs are Reims, with its Gothic cathedral and several grand houses, and Épernay, whose Avenue de Champagne is lined with famous names. Between and around them are the main vineyard areas. The Montagne de Reims is known for Pinot Noir, the Vallée de la Marne for Meunier, and the Côte des Blancs south of Épernay for Chardonnay. The village of Hautvillers, above the Marne, is closely linked to the monk Dom Pérignon.

The "Champagne Hillsides, Houses and Cellars" have been on the UNESCO World Heritage List since 2015.

Grand houses or growers?

Do both. The big houses run polished cellar tours you can book online, and the scale of their chalk galleries is unforgettable. Grower producers, who make wine from their own vines, offer a more personal visit, often in a family kitchen or a small cellar in a village. Many growers need an appointment and may close at weekends.

Where to base yourself

Reims is best if you are coming by train and want a city. Épernay is smaller and closer to the vines. A village guesthouse in the Marne valley or the Côte des Blancs is perfect if you have a driver.

See our Champagne and Burgundy by train itinerary.

Want this trip planned for you?

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Quick answers

Can I do Champagne as a day trip from Paris?
Yes. Take the TGV to Reims and book one or two cellar tours within walking distance. An overnight stay lets you add Épernay or a grower.
Do I need to book Champagne house tours?
Yes. Most have timed tours with limited places, and these sell out at weekends and in summer.

Official sources to check before booking

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