Champagne Region Tours
Champagne:
Champagne & Vineyards
The Champagne wine region is a historic province in the northeast of France. The area is best known for the production of the sparkling white wine that bears the region's name. EU law and the laws of most countries reserve the term "Champagne" exclusively for wines that come from this region located about 100 miles (160 km) east of Paris. The viticultural boundaries of Champagne are legally defined and split into five wine producing districts within the administrative province-the Aube, Cote des Blancs, Cote de Sezanne, Montagne de Reims, and Vallee de la Marne. The towns of Reims and Epernay are the commercial centers of the area.
Located at the northern edges of the wine growing world, the history of the Champagne wine region has had a significant role in the development of this unique terroir. The area's close proximity to Paris promoted the regions economic success in its wine trade but also put the villages and vineyards in the path of marching armies on their way to the French capital. Despite the frequency of these military conflict, the regions developed a reputation for quality wine production in the early Middle Ages and was able to continue that reputation as the region's producers began making sparkling wine with the advent of the great Champagne houses in the 17th and 18th century. The principal grapes grown in the region include Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, and Pinot Meunier. Pinot Noir is the most widely planted grape in the Aube region and grows very well in Montagne de Reims. Pinot Meunier is the dominant grape in the Vallee de la Marne region. The Cote des Blancs is dedicated almost exclusively to Chardonnay
Dom Perignon at Hautvillers
Hautvillers, was founded in 658 and is known as being the cradle of Champagne. At the age of 28 years old Dom Perignon was appointed cellar master at the Abbey of Hautvillers. He is often attributed with the invention of Champagne, even if there are earlier recorded instances of the production of sparkling wines by the Champagne method. Dom Perignon is the prestige cuvée of the giant Moët et Chandon Champagne house. It is named after the famous monk, who was the most important early influence in the development of Champagne into the sparkling wine we know today. It was not the first Champagne to use his name, as early in the last century small proprietaire-recoltants (farmer-growers) at Hautvillers, employed it for their wine. Unfortunately for them they did not register the name, Dom Perignon, as a trademark.
Reims
Reims has 4 UNESCO listed World Heritage Sites.
Notre-Dame Cathedral
A masterpiece of Gothic art, the Cathedral of Our Lady was started in 1211. It was the cathedral of coronations for French kings in memory of the baptism of Clovis by Saint Remi, probably on Christmas Day 498. The left portal on the west front carries the famous Smiling Angel statue.
Tau Palace
The former Archbishop's Palace was built by Mansart and Robert
de Cote in 1690. Today, it houses the cathedral's museum with
tapestries, sculptures and artifacts from the kings' coronations.
The Salle du Tau, once used as a banqueting hall after coronations,
is most noteworthy.
Saint-Remi Basilica
It is the largest Romanesque pilgrimage church in northern France. It was built as a shrine to Saint Remi. The nave was consecrated in 1049 whereas the apse was built in the late 12th century and is an example of early Gothic style.
Saint-Remi Museum
The famous Benedictine Abbey of Saint-Remi, the shrine of the Holy Ampula used for French kings' coronations, is a magnificent building in the classical style. It now houses the city's Museum of History and Archeology with impressive collections from Prehistory to the Renaissance as well as a large military history section. 12th-13th centuries chapter house.
Epernay
Epernay is at the heart of the world's most prestigious vineyards. 20,000 hectares of vineyards stretch all around you, whilst under your feet lie 200 million bottles of champagne ageing in 120 kilometers of cellars carved out of the chalk soil over hundreds of years. The most famous champagne producers amongst the many grand houses and mansions lining the Avenue de Champagne allow Epernay justly to lay claim to the coveted title of the Capital of Champagne.
Champagne Notes
Visit the Cellars at Moet
Moet et Chandon
Moet et Chandon can trace its history back to 1743 when it was established in Epernay by Claude Moet, a wine trader descended from an old family resident in the Champagne region since the 14th century. In the company's archives can be seen an invoice of 1743 when Moet shipped Champagne to Paris for t he first time. The real rise of Champagne was in the reign of Louis XV and became a favorite for romantic suppers for the king and his favorites, including Madame de Pompadour. Moet et Chandon expanded and its Champagne was shipped to new markets: From 1750 to England, then Germany, Spain, Russia, America, Poland, and Bohemia in 1791
In 1794 Claude Moet bought the walls and the vineyards of the former Abbey of Hautvillers, the same Abbey where Dom Perignon founded the method for producing Champagne. Hautvillers is a charming flower-filled wine village with sweeping views of the Marne River valley, and the Abbey has now been converted into a museum describing the process of making Champagne.
Overnight Tours
We plan overnight packages to arrive by TGV in Reims and stay over the first night and return the next day to maximize your time. We can of course pick you up from Paris however it very much depends on the kind of tour you are looking for and the availability of our guides.
Quick Links to Places near Paris:
Tour Champagne Regions Reims and Epernay
Epernay, Reims and Chalons-sur Marne are the three towns most associated with the great Champagne Houses who give tastings and tours of their cellars. Epernay dominates the industry with its Rue de Champagne and premier producers: Moet et Chandon, Perrier Jouet, Charbaut, De Venoge and Pol Roger.
Ask about our new all inclusive private overnight tours departing from Reims starting at 395 euro per person.
Inquiry Form for Private Tours
Scheduled Classic Tours
Visit Reims, capital of Champagne, and city where most Kings of France were crowned. Then Moet et Chandon in Epernay & Avenue de Champagnes.
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106€ pp
Coach Tour - Duration: 10 hrs
Summer Departure : April 1 - Oct 31: 8:00 am Tuesday, Friday and Sunday
Winter Departure : Nov 1 - Mar 31: 8:00 am Friday (except 12/24
+ 12/31) + Tuesday (except Jan & Feb)
Orientation tour of Reims
Visit Piper Heidsieck Cellars
Visit to Moët & Chandon
106€pp
Enjoy a drive to Reims, capital city of the Champagne region, but also the city of coronations where most of the Kings of France were crowned. Enjoy an orientation tour of Reims including a guided visit of the gothic cathedral followed by a guided visit of "Piper Heidsieck" champagne "Caves" where you will embark for a magical visit in small carriages.
Free time for lunch on your own.
In the afternoon we visit Epernay and the prestigious wine cellars of "Moët & Chandon"* and a Champagne tasting.
Arrive back in Paris approximately 6.30 PM.
From December 1 Mumm Champagne instead of Piper Heidsieck.
Semi Private Guided Tour by Mini Van Duration: 11 hrs
Departures : 7:30 am Monday, Wednesday, Thursday and Saturday
Reims Cathedral Visit to Mumm Champagne House Moët & Chandon cellars
152€
Our minibus will follow the Champagne Route through the heart of champagne country to discover the history and secrets of the mythic drink.
The morning tour begins in the city of Reims, capital of the Champagne region where you will visit the famous Reims Cathedral for guided tour around this gothic masterpiece, where kings of France were crowned.
This is followed by a visit to one of the world-renowned champagne houses – MUMM. Here you will have an explanation of harvesting, processing and bottling followed by a free tasting.
Free time for lunch (not included) and city walks followed by an early afternoon bus journey through Reims Mountain regional park to Epernay. Here there will be a guided tour of the Moet & Chandon cellars with history and insight into the making of this prestigious label. Its quality comes from the skill of its Oeneologists and the experience of cellar masters down the generations. A tasting will be followed by a visit to the shop and discovery of the celebrated Dom Perignon.
Entrance tickets included. Hotel Pick up and drop off included.
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Vineyard Tours
The only scheduled tour which offers an in depth visit to a vineyard. Small groups with transfers by minivan. Tastings and lunch included. Harvest tours sell out 30 days in advance.
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149€ pp
Semi Private Guided Tour - Max 7 persons
Daily Departures at 8am from your hotel or apartment
149€pp To book this tour use the Inquiry Form above
On this tour you will meet a wine grower, have a traditional French lunch, visit the UNESCO cathedral in Reims and visit a prestigious champagne cellar
Highlights of your day include :
- Hot and fresh drinks, croissants, newspapers offered on board.
- 10:30am : Discovery of Champagne vineyard around Reims. Once in the vineyard, the guide will explain the Champagne soil, the three main grape varieties in Champagne, the vines through the seasons from pruning in winter to ripening and harvest in autumn.
Followed by a visit and a wine tasting in a small champagne producer.
- 12:30pm : Traditional French lunch in a restaurant in Reims.
- 2pm : Guided tour of the Reims cathedral, a gothic masterpiece where the kings of France used to be crowned.
- 3:30pm : Guided visit of one of the most famous champagne houses in Reims and its underground chalk cellar (Taittinger, Veuve Cliquot, Ruinart) to discover step by step technical wine making "from grape to champagne" through pressing, first fermentation, blending, bottling, second fermentation, remuage, disgorgement, corking and finally labeling. A glass of champagne will be served at the end of this tour.
- 5pm : Depart Reims.
Private Tours available on request.
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Private Guided Tours
With a private tour you can select the champagne houses you would like to visit and the restaurants where you want to eat. We can focus on large producers, small or mid size producers or a combination so you can get a sense of the difference.
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The Grand Tour - Reims and Epernay
Moet Chandon cellar tour and tasting Tasting in Hautvillers and 2 Tastings at small producers in Reims.
We drive east from Paris to the enchanting world of champagne: home of the fabled drink, and over 19,000 producers. We arrive in Epernay where we will do a cellar tour and tasting at the world famous Moet et Chandon on the Avenue de Champagnes.
As an interesting comparison you will then visit Hautvillers a picturesque village and home to Dom Perignon where you will do a tasting of 3 champagnes and a ratafia at a small family producer.
Then lunch and we will be pleased to make recommendations to suit all budgets.
A little more than an 30 minutes north is the site of one of France's great Gothic cathedrals at Reims.
To end the day you will do your final tasting at another large Champagne producer or 2 small producers.
If you wish to change the schedule and visit other houses please let us know your selection and we will check if they offer cellar visits. You may also extend the tour to add an additional small producer and we can also arrange a different champagne with each course at lunch.
Secret Champagne - A focus on variety
After an hour on the highway, you will take the picturesque Route du Champagne that winds through the vineyards and crosses the villages where Champagne has been produced for centuries. You will head towards Epernay where you will stop at Moet et Chandon to do a guided visit of the cellars followed by a tasting of their famous cru.
It is now time for lunch at one of our favorite local where each dish is served with a different Champagne (optional).
After lunch, your will go further into the heart of Champagne country for another tasting at the Cave des Associations where you will experience a selection of a few small producers
From there you will head to Hautvillers the village where Dom Perignon elaborated "blending". You will visit the chapel where he is buried and have another tasting at a small local producer.
From Hautvillers, you will drive along the Marne River to reach the highway that brings you back to Paris. On the way and if time you may want to stop for yet one final tasting of a organically gown champagne.
Please note: Dom Perignon charges 70euro per person for a private visit and is available on request.
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Paris Champagne Cruise
Inside a private room at the front of the boat you will cruise down the Seine River while sipping Champagne. You'll soon be cruising down the Seine River with the Champagne bubbles flowing while chatting, laughing and enjoying your sommelier's champagne presentation..
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40€pp
Wine around France
Adults 40€pp
1. Cruise on the Seine River in the center of Paris in a private saloon
2. Champagne Appreciation Class
3. Champagne making Presentation
4. History of Champagne
5. Champagne region overview
6. Monuments of Paris comments
7. Three Champagne tasted (Demi sec, Blanc de blancs, Rose)
Your cruise with the Vedettes de Paris will start from the dock by the Eiffel Tower promptly on the hour. The sommelier will reveal the secrets of the king of wines while you discover—or rediscover—the marvels of Paris, by day or by night. Evenings on the foredeck’s glass panorama room are reserved exclusively for our champagne cruise guests.
Inside a private room at the front of the boat you will cruise down the Seine River while sipping Champagne. You'll soon be cruising down the Seine River with the Champagne bubbles flowing.
Your cruise will take you past some of Paris' most famous monuments.
Your sommelier will provide insight on the history and meaning of these monuments throughout the cruise.
During the cruise you'll taste three Champagnes: Brut, Demi sec or Blanc de blancs and Rosé. The cruise will last an hour and you'll return to the same place you boarded from. All tastings take place upstairs, therefore they are accessible to disabled people
Possibility to buy Champagne after the tasting
We invite you to come directly to Vedette de Paris embarkation pier with the voucher you will receive by mail, address and access map will be sent to you at the issue of your booking.
Thursday, Friday, Saturday
Presentation 5:45pm - cruise at 6pm - Duration: 1:00