A Sparkling Adventure
Exploring the Champagne region of France is a dream come true for wine enthusiasts and travelers alike. Known for its sparkling wines, the region offers a delightful experience, taking you on a journey through picturesque vineyards, charming villages, and prestigious champagne houses. We will guide you on a Champagne tour from Paris, unraveling the enchanting beauty and rich heritage of this celebrated wine-producing area.
Private Champagne Tour from Paris
Champagne, the world-renowned sparkling wine region in northeastern France, is synonymous with celebrations and luxury. The Champagne region offers visitors a perfect blend of history, natural beauty, and the fine art of winemaking. From picturesque vineyards to prestigious champagne houses, this region has much to offer to travelers seeking an unforgettable experience. Let’s go for a custom-made private Champagne Tour upon quotation according to your preferences, from Paris with a private driver.
- The Rich History of Champagne
Champagne’s fascinating history dates back to the Roman era when the region was already cultivating vines. However, it was the accidental discovery of sparkling wine in the 17th century that put Champagne on the map. Dom Pérignon, a Benedictine monk, is often credited with developing the champagne-making process that we know today. Throughout history, champagne has been associated with celebrations and important events. From royal coronations to international milestones, champagne has always been the drink of choice for toasting to joyous occasions.
- The Picturesque Vineyards of Champagne
The Champagne region’s unique vineyards have been recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, making it a must-visit destination for wine enthusiasts and travelers alike. The region’s chalky soil and cool climate contribute to the distinctive flavors of Champagne, giving it a unique taste that can’t be replicated anywhere else.
- Exploring Champagne Houses
Champagne is home to renowned champagne houses like Moët & Chandon, Veuve Clicquot, and Dom Pérignon. Touring these grand establishments offers a glimpse into the art of champagne making and the rich history of the region. In addition to the well-known houses, Champagne is also home to smaller, family-owned champagne producers. Exploring these boutique wineries allows visitors to discover lesser-known but equally exceptional champagnes.
- The Champagne Tasting Experience
Tasting champagne is an art in itself, and visitors can learn various techniques to fully appreciate the nuances of this sparkling wine. From the classic Brut to the elegant Rosé, Champagne offers a wide range of varieties to suit every palate. To truly appreciate champagne, one must understand the culture and the craftsmanship behind it. Learn about the traditional champagne-making process, from harvesting the grapes to fermentation and aging. Participate in champagne tastings at various wineries to discover your favorite blend and understand the nuances of different styles. Explore the unique relationship between champagne and art, as many champagne houses collaborate with renowned artists to create exceptional labels and packaging.
Cities Vineyards Champagne Tour from Paris
- Reims: The Coronation City
Exploring Reims Cathedral
The iconic Notre-Dame de Reims Cathedral is a UNESCO World Heritage site and a masterpiece of Gothic architecture. Its stunning facades and mesmerizing stained glass windows leave visitors in awe. Notre-Dame de Reims Cathedral is a Roman Catholic cathedral. It is known to have been, from the eleventh century, the place of almost all the coronations of the kings of France, including Charles VII thanks to Joan of Arc.
Champagne Houses in Reims
Reims, the largest city in the Champagne region, is home to some of the most prestigious champagne houses, including Veuve Clicquot, Ruinart, Taittinger, and Pommery. Take guided tours to delve into the history and art of champagne-making.
Gastronomic Delights of Reims
Indulge in Reims’ culinary delights by savoring local dishes, such as the famous Champagne butter biscuits and regional specialties paired with a glass of bubbly. Potée champenoise, pink biscuit from Reims, Poularde au champagne, you can taste the cuisine and specialties that have made the reputation of Reims and the Champagne region in restaurants in the city.
- Épernay city: Avenue de Champagne
Avenue de Champagne: A Luxurious Promenade
Épernay, a charming town known as the “Capital of Champagne,” is famous for its picturesque Avenue de Champagne, lined with grand champagne houses. Stroll along Avenue de Champagne, where the opulent mansions of renowned champagne producers including Moët & Chandon and Perrier-Jouët which played a major role in the history of Epernay. It is thus a “remarkable site of taste”.
Uncovering Épernay’s Historical Gems
Discover the town’s rich heritage by exploring its historic museums, public gardens, and charming squares. Starting with the Champagne Wine and Archaeology Museum of Épernay, one of the cultural treasures of the city. Located in the Château Perrier, in the heart of the mythical avenue de Champagne, it houses the second most important national archaeology collection and a remarkable heritage on the history of champagne. Another museum not to be missed in Epernay and its villages, in Aÿ-Champagne: Pressoria. Unique in its kind, the new Centre d’Interprétation Sensorielle des Vins de Champagne invites you to live a unique sensory journey.
- The Captivating Vineyards
A Visit to the Montagne de Reims Vineyards
Explore the vineyards of Montagne de Reims, renowned for Pinot Noir grapes, a key ingredient in many champagnes. Everywhere around you will see beautiful vineyards which you can easily access to just wandering around a bit. Bring some baguette, cheeses and a bottle of Champagne, and you have the perfect French Picnic.
Delights of the Vallée de la Marne Vineyards
The Vallée de la Marne vineyards are famous for their Pinot Meunier grapes, adding unique flavors to champagne blends. Vallée de la Marne wine region is a part of the famous Champagne region. It has 9 villages, out of which, one is Grand Cru (regional wine classification that designates a vineyard known for its favorable reputation) and 8 Premier Crus (refers to classified vineyards, wineries, and wines). Some of the most famous villages in this appellation are Avenay-Val-d’Or, Bisseuil, Champillon, and Aÿ.
Exploring the Côte des Blancs Vineyards
Discover the Côte des Blancs vineyards, celebrated for their Chardonnay grapes, which lend finesse and elegance to champagne. The Côte des Blancs is one of the gems of the Champagne vineyard, running from northeast to southwest and lying perpendicular to the Marne Valley. The Côte des Blancs is an exclusively white appellation, with the Chardonnay planted as a stand-alone varietal, except in Vertus, in the extreme south, where its supremacy is challenged by the Pinot Noir.
- Off the Beaten Path: Charming Villages
Hautvillers: The Birthplace of Champagne
Hautvillers is the village where Dom Pérignon, a famous Benedictine monk, first produced champagne. Visit his tomb and enjoy a serene atmosphere. The latter discovered the champagne production method by mixing different grape varieties. In the 17th and 18th centuries, Hautvillers Abbey played a pivotal role in the development of Champagne. It was from grapes grown on these historic hillsides under the direction of the abbey’s winery that, between 1660 and 1700, the wine evolved from still to sparkling.
The Serene Ambiance of Cramant
Cramant, a peaceful village, is known for its grand cru vineyards, producing exceptional Chardonnay grapes. Cramant is located southsoutheast of Épernay, as one of the villages on the “genuine” Côte des Blancs slope. The village itself is located in the middle of the slope, along the D10 road that runs from Épernay to several other Côte de Blancs villages.
Bouzy: A Hidden Gem
Bouzy is a hidden gem renowned for its rich, red wine and splendid views over the vineyards. Bouzy is a Champagne town of under 1000 residents to the southeast of Montagne de Reims and is around a twenty minute drive from the city of Epernay. The symbol of the town is a cockerel and so you’ll find emblems of the rooster all around town, including a larger than life statue right in front of the town hall (mairie).
- Dormans: Commemorating History
The Memorial Chapel in Dormans commemorates soldiers who lost their lives during World War I. The monument provides breathtaking views of the Marne Valley. Memorial Dormans 1914 – 1918 is a grand monument built in 1921 on a site chosen by Marshal Foch, to commemorate the two Battles of the Marne. The set consists of a crypt, a large chapel with stained glass windows of exception, a cloister leading to an ossuary containing the remains of 1,500 unknown soldiers. Access to a walkway, by a stairway of a hundred steps, offers a breathtaking view over the valley of the Marne.
The Memorial of the Battles of the Marne is a chapel located in the upper part of the town of Dormans (Marne). It is one of the four national monuments dedicated to the First World War with the Douaumont ossuary (Meuse), Notre-Dame de Lorette (Pas-de-Calais), and the Hartmannswillerkopf (or Vieil Armand) in the Vosges mountains.
Cultural Champagne Tour from Paris
Champagne Tour from Paris is a must do. We prefer personalized customer relationships because we believe this is the only way to deliver the highest level of service. We also believe in real cultural exchange and social links. Paris based, we create a unique trip thanks to strong readiness, to our expertise and our fabulous Parisian network.
