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Champagne Region Tours
Champagne:
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
Attractions
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.
Champagne is a great day trip for groups. It takes 2 1/4 hours each way and once there we can arrange private lunches, champagne games and tastings and special visits to the lighthouse in Verzenay or a whisky tasting made right in Champagne.
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.
Inquiry Form for Private Tours
Full Day Classics
Best Selling Tour by Coach
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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From 104€ 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
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.
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Champagne Tour
Semi Private Guided Tour
Champagne tastings, Cathederal in Reims and Dom Perignon's birthplace.
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From 148€ pp
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
148€
book tour RC+
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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Private Guided Day Tours
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 for our first cellar tour & tasting at the world famous Moet et Chandon on the Avenue de Champagnes.
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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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Private Guided 2 Day Tour
A luxury tour for 2 days starting in Reims or Paris to really discover the region, its wine, culture and food.
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The Heart of Champagne
Sample itinerary:
Day 1
We start the day with a guided tour of the late gothic style cathedral where most of the French kings were crowned
We follow with a guided tour of Pommery in cellars dating from roman time and tasting, with the possibility to taste their special cuvée "Louise".
Lunch at a gastronomic restaurant in Epernay.
After lunch we will discover Hautvillers where champagne was born, and visit the church where Dom Pérignon (the monk) is buried, before going to a little nearby winegrower to taste his champagne.
We'll end the day in the village of Verzenay in the Montagne de Reims area, land of Pinot noir, where you can enjoy a wonderfully museum about local traditions and the possibility to stop at a family run house for another tasting wines.
We'll photo stop at the impressive wind mill before coming back to Reims and your hotel.
Day 2 :
We'll start the day at Moet et Chandon,more than 30 Km of cellars, the most glamorous winery, where you can taste different champagnes : brut, rosé, vintage in a private salon...
We'll then visit Philiponnat where you will taste organic champagne, and their exceptional "Clos des Goisses" cuvée...
Lunch at a lovely local restaurant in Epernay.
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.