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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. 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 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 ageing in 120 kilometers of cellars carved out of the chalk soil over hundreds of years. The most famous 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.
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 it 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.
Tours to Reims and Epernay from Paris
Epernay, Reims and Chalons-sur Marne are the three towns most associated with the great Champagne Houses but few allow tastings and tours of their cellars. Epernay dominates the industry with its famous rue de Champagne and premier producers: Moet et Chandon, Dom Perignon, Mercier, Perrier Jouet, and Pol Roger.
All private tours are customized to make sure you get the most out of your visit to the region. From our experience visitors love a combination of small and large houses so they get a better feel of the people and processes involved in making the world's most celebrated wine, and they get to do more tastings!
If you want to arrive under your own transport, one of our great English speaking guides will meet you there. We offer both private and semi private tours. More Details
Inquiry Form for Private Tours
Scheduled Classic Day Tours
Visit Reims, capital of Champagne, and the UNESCO cathedral where most Kings of France were crowned. Cellar visits include Moet in Epernay & Avenue de Champagnes and Mumm in Reims.
more details
115€ pp
Classic Coach Tour
Duration: 10 hrs
Departures : 7:45am
April 1st to October 31st:
Departs: Tuesday, Thursday and Sunday + Saturday from May 1st to October 30th
November 1st to March 31st:
Departs: Friday (+ Tuesday on November, December and March)
Cost: 115€pp Secure Online Booking
Includes:
Central Meeting point on rue Rivoli near the Louvre
Cellar Visit at Moet* and Mumm
Transport by Air-Conditioned Luxury Coach
Description: 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 "Mumm" champagne "Caves"
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 in Paris around 6.30 PM.
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Semi Private Guided Tour by Mini Van
Duration: 10 1/2hrs
Departures :
Summer: April 1st to October 31st: departure 7:30am Everyday except Sunday.
Winter: November 1st to March 31st: departure 7:30am Wednesday and Saturday.
Cost: 179€ Secure Online Booking
Includes:
Hotel or Apartment Pick Up and Drop Off
Cellar Visit at Moet* , small producer and Lunch
Transport by Air-Conditioned MiniCoach - max 8 people
Description: Our minibus will pick you up from your accommodation and drive Champagne 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.
In the morning, vine growing work is explained before a visit to a local grower situated close to Epernay where you will see the press, vats, stored bottles, and learn about the key stages in making champagne, followed by a tasting session (one glass of champagne).
Lunch at Epernay followed by a traditional set menu (drinks included).
In the afternoon we take you to visit the wine cellars of world famous Moet & Chandon* where the grape harvest and wine-making process is explained before a visit to the cellars and discussion of the history of the brand and insight into the making of this prestigious label. This is followed by a final free champagne tasting.
Return to Paris via the Marne Valley.
* or equivalent if unavailable
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Scheduled Vineyard Day Tours
The only scheduled tour which offers an in depth visit to a vineyard. Small groups with transfers by minivan. Tastings and lunch included.
more details
Semi Private Guided Tour by Mini Van
Duration: 10hrs
Departures : Daily at 7:30am except Sunday
Cost : 189€pp
Available as a scheduled or private tour. Use the Inquiry Form above.
Includes:
Hotel or Apartment Pick Up and Drop Off
Large Cellar Visit , Small producer visit, breakfast and Lunch
Transport by Air-Conditioned minibus
Description: 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.
7:30am After pick up we will offer you hot and cold drinks, croissants, and newspapers
10:30am Discovery of the 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 (Brasserie le Boulingrins, Brasserie Flo, or La Table Champenoise.
2:00pm Visit 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 Rheims and its underground chalk cellar (Taittinger, Pommery, Mumm or Lanson) 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.
5:00pm Depart Reims.
Champagne House Visits and Lunch locations change daily.
Harvest tours sell out 30 days and 3 weeks in advance during high season for requests of 2 or more people..
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Private Discovery Tour
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. Here are a few options below.
more details
Private Guided Discovery Tour
Duration: 10hrs
Departures : Daily at 7:45am/8:00am
Includes :
Hotel or Apartment Pick Up and Drop Off
Transport by Air-Conditioned minibus or Rover 75 Sedan
Description: After an hour on the highway we turn off on to the picturesque Route du Champagne that winds through the vineyards and crosses the villages where Champagne has been produced for centuries.
En route we stop at Chatillon sur Marne and see the 25 meter high statue of Pope Urban II with his arm outstretched pointing over a magnificent panoramic view of the Marne Valley.
Option 1: Grand Tour - 3 tasting visits
1st Cellar : Large Prestige : World famous Moet et Chandon on the Avenue de Champagnes in Epernay (75mins)
2nd Tasting : Family Producer : Visit Hautvillers, a picturesque village and home to Dom Perignon, for a multi tasting. (30mins)
3rd Cellar : Large Prestige Taittinger, Veuve Cliquot or Ruinart in Reims (75mins)
End the day with a visit to one of France's great Gothic cathedrals.
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Option 2: Epernay and Marne Valley Tour - 3 tasting visits
1st Cellar : Large Prestige : Moet et Chandon or Dom Perignon (75mins)
2nd Tasting : Family Producer : producer's homes. (30mins)
3rd Cellar : Mid Size Producer like Billecart Salmon (75mins) (Mon to Thurs)
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Option 3: Reims and Reims Mountains - 3 tasting visits
1st Cellar : Large Prestige Houses : Taittinger, Veuve Cliquot, Pommery or Ruinart in Reims (75mins)
Visit one of France's great Gothic cathedrals.
2nd Vineyard and Cellar : Family Estate Grand & Premier Cru (75mins)
3rd Tasting : Grand Cru Pinot Noir (30mins)
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Lunch :We will be pleased to make recommendations to suit all budgets from a picnic to lunch at Les Crayeres.
Please note
*Veuve Cliquot and Ruinart need to be booked way in advance during the summer.
*Bollinger, Krug, Perrier Jouet, Pol Roger, Crystal and Laurent Perrier do not offer visits.
*Dom Perignon (80euro per person for a private visit)
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Sommelier's Choice Tour
These tours are for those wanting in depth expertise at hand, specialist tastings or are interested in purchasing. You will learn how to identify different Champagne styles and grape varieties by your guide/sommelier as he drives you to his favorite producers.
more details
Private Sommelier Guided Varietals Tour
Duration: 10hrs
Departures : Daily at 7:45am
Includes :
Hotel or Apartment Pick Up and Drop Off
Transport by Air-Conditioned minibus and licensed guide/sommelier
Description: 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 the Montagnes de Reims. Pinot Meunier is the dominant grape in the Valley de la Marne. The Cote des Blancs is dedicated to Chardonnay and adds fruitiness to an assemblage.
On this tour you will be given technical tastings by a private sommelier and the itinerary is planned by him in order to discover "your style" and understand through tastings the difference between grape varieties, fermentation times, metal vs barrel ageing and terroir.
Sample Itinerary:
Morning
To start the day your sommelier generally likes to stop in Chatillon sur Marne for a Panoramic view of Marne Valley & to explain the Terroir. All small producer tastings are commented by your guide.
Stop 1 : Small producer Grand Cru Tasting in the Marne Valley or Cote de Blancs
Stop 2 : Small producer tasting in Ay or Avize.
Afternoon
Stop 3 : Cellar tour and tasting at Moet et Chandon or Taittinger, Veuve
or visit 2 more small family producers to discover more grape varieties.
If there is time we can end the day with a short visit to the abbey of Dom Perignon in Hautvillers or Cathedral in Reims depending on the tasting route.
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Varietal Tastings Tour
There are no cellar visits or touristic visits of large producers on this tour. It's all about the champagne. On this tour you will have the time compare regions, grapes, blends and fermentation times at family and boutique producers.
more details
Private Guided Tasting Route Tour
Duration: 10hrs
Departures : Daily at 8:00am
Includes :
Hotel or Apartment Pick Up and Drop Off
Transport by Air-Conditioned minibus or Rover 75 Sedan
Description: This tour has been designed to cover all 3 regions to compare regional differences as well as blending differences.
1st stop : Family producer which specializes in Pinot Meunier. Our first tasting is a an easy to drink light 95% pinot meunier / 5% chardonnay followed by a more structured 50% Pinot Noir 50% Pinot Meunier at a specialist of Pinot Meunier.
2nd stop : Another family producer with a large range of Champagnes. Here we compare 2 blends of standard Brut and a Brut Nature with no added sugar.
Lunch in Epernay with a quick pass by of the abbey of Dom Perignon in Hautvillers.
3rd stop: Visit a producer of Gastronomique Champagnes in Ay with 17th century origins. We start with the exceptional Vintage Grand Cru Brut blend given 92 points by the 2007 Best Sommelier in the World Tasted Journal 2nd only to Krug. Followed by the Original Brut.
4th stop : Visit to a Grand Cru Cooperative, try a Rosé which is colored by the grape skin and not the red wine followed by one of the most popular Grand Cru Champagnes that beat all the other brands in a blind tasting test.
Return to Paris at 4:00pm
If time:
5th stop : A small family producer visit where we will compare the previous filtered Rose tastings with a blended Rosé which is colored by red wine to compare. We end with a rare tasting of a champagne produced from pre phyllox roots.
Please note that some producers may offer more that the 2 tastings we suggest and as such if you enjoy a particular place we may not have time for a 5 tasting at which point you will have already samples 10 champagnes.
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Discover the Aube
Discover the lesser known Cote de Bar. Learn about the wine legacy and cellars of the Monks de Clairvaux and medieval Troyes home to the Knights Templars. Taste the evolution of Champagne from clear wine to prestige Champagne. A perfect complement. to Reims or Epernay.
In depth Champagne Visits and Tastings in Bar sur Seine
Private tours : All Year
Available : Daily
Duration : 12 hrs
Includes :
*Transportation in a comfortable minivan
*English speaking guide
Itinerary :
Morning in Bar sur Seine:
Pick up from hotel in Paris or with supplement take the train and get picked up in Troyes.
First Tasting Visit
Visit one of the prestige producers housed in an 19th century mansion. considered one of the most prestigious Champagne in the Aube and served in 3 star Michelin restaurants like Pierre Gagniere and Guy Savoy as well as Alain Ducasse at the Dorchester, L'Atelier de Joel Robuchon and Corriagan's Mayfair London's 2010 Restaurant of the year awarded by Decanter magazine, so you know it must be good and from personal experience I can attest to that,.
We follow with a visit to the largest Maison de Vignerons since 1956 in the Aube bringing together 130 wine growers covering about 325 hectares with 90% producing Pinot Noir. The soil, vines faces south-south east with sheltered exposure so the grapes can be harvested at full maturity and fill around 750,000 bottles a year.
Second Tasting Visit
At about 11:30 am we will arrive at the largest Maison de Vignerons since 1956 in the Aube bringing together 130 wine growers covering about 325 hectares with 90% producing Pinot Noir. The soil, vines faces south-south east with sheltered exposure so the grapes can be harvested at full maturity and fill around 750,000 bottles a year.
Here you will see the mega large Aluminum tanks and have a brief overview of the company and Coopérative where Pinot Noir is the specialty. You will then enter the a small room in the cellar where you see the soil samples and do a tasting of the clear wine for introduction to the evolution of the process and tasting from clear to final product.
Lunch will be served at a local restaurant on the side of the Seine or in the vineyards with enough notice and minimum of 4 people.
Afternoon
Third Tasting Visit
Visit the heart of the Cote des Bar in the little village of Les Riceys filled with narrow streets and old stone houses and churches. It is the only area allowed to produce 3 AOCs. Champagne, Coteaux Champenoise and the Rose de Riceys a red "still wine" with an extraordinary orange/red color. This is the wine that Louis IX loved. We will spend time with the owner of a small family estate who will introduce to his wine and Champagnes in his cellar.
If time, at the end the day we will stop by medieval Troyes home to the Order of the Knights Templar for a cup of tea before heading to Paris, Epernay or further south to Burgundy.
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