Visiting the Champagne region
The Champagne region is probably one of the best-known regions in France. This wine region is located in the northeast of France. The EU law reserves the term “champagne” exclusively for wines that come from this region. The region is split into 5 districts: Aube, Côte des Blancs, Côte de Sézanne, Montagne de Reims, and Vallée de la Marne. The commercial centers of the area are Reims and Epernay, and are probably the best known.
The main grapes used to produce champagne are Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, and Pinot Meunier. In the Epernay area, you will find Pinot Meunier in particular.
Also, be mindful when you are visiting the Champagne region. The second time we were there, it was “le vendange” or the harvest of the grapes. Very spectacular to see how they do it, but you have fewer chances of tasting some champagne at the smaller houses as they are helping with the harvest.
How to get to the Champagne region
Wondering how to get to the Champagne region? The Champagne region, located in northeastern France, is easy to reach from major European cities and international destinations like the United States. Whether you prefer driving, taking the train, or joining a tour, here are the best ways to get to Champagne.
Getting to the Champagne region by car
Driving is one of the most convenient ways to reach the Champagne region and explore it at your own pace. From Paris, it takes around 1.5 hours to reach Reims, while from Brussels, the drive takes about 2.5 to 3 hours.
Having a car is especially useful if you want to visit smaller Champagne villages and wineries that are harder to access by public transport.
Getting to the Champagne region by train
Taking the train is one of the fastest and easiest ways to get to the Champagne region. High-speed trains like the TGV connect Paris to Reims in just 45 minutes.
If you’re traveling from other parts of Europe, such as Belgium or the Netherlands, you will usually transfer in Paris. You can also take a train to Épernay, another popular base in the region.
Getting to the Champagne region by tour
For a stress-free experience, consider booking a guided Champagne tour. Many tours depart from Paris and include transportation, tastings, and visits to multiple Champagne houses.
This is a great option if you don’t want to worry about logistics or driving after tastings.
Getting to the Champagne region from the U.S.
If you’re traveling from the United States or another long-haul destination, the easiest way to get to the Champagne region is to fly into Paris. From there, you can take a train or rent a car to reach the Champagne region in under 2 hours.
There are no major airports in Champagne itself, so Paris is the best gateway. Use Skyscanner to find the best flights to Paris.
💡 Travel tip: Many travelers combine a visit to Paris with Champagne, as it’s one of the easiest and most popular day trips in France.
Where to stay in the Champagne region?
We stayed at Bnb Epernay studio 86, located within walking distance of the city center. There is also free parking in front of the house. This was the perfect location for exploring Epernay and the surrounding villages. The owner gives you a lot of information and tips for restaurants in the city, and you can even rent e-bikes. Perfect to bike to Hautvillers to explore more of the Champagne region.
Prefer a hotel that includes breakfast? Then Kyriad Épernay is perfect for you. The hotel is located near Avenue de Champagne and offers free parking.
Going with a group? Then a vacation home is much nicer. We stayed in Talus-Saint-Prix in a former abbey: really a beautiful building. The house had 6 bedrooms for 2 people each and was really equipped for 12 people. When you enter, you immediately notice the large dining table. There are also 2 toilets and 2 bathrooms (each with 2 showers). There is also a separate playroom for children and a table tennis and BBQ. Talus-Saint-Prix is half an hour’s drive from Epernay and an hour’s drive from Reims. The ideal base for exploring the Champagne region.
What to do in Épernay? Attractions and tips
Epernay, the self-proclaimed capital of the Champagne region, is the home of many of the world’s most celebrated Champagne houses, like Moët & Chandon, Mercier, and Le Castellane, to name a few. It is also the perfect place for exploring the Champagne region.
Visit the champagne houses in Epernay
A lot of the champagne houses organize tours of their cellars. We did one at Mercier: The Golden Bubbles tour is a 1h audio-guided tour of the cellars followed by a tasting of 3 different champagnes. During the tour, you learn a lot about Mercier but also about how Champagne is made. During the tasting, some more explanation was given about the different kinds of Champagne.
We also did some champagne tasting along the Avenue de Champagne. At Janisson Baradon, we tasted 5 different champagnes. At Collard-Picard, we just enjoyed a glass on the terrace in the sun. If you want to try champagne from smaller champagne producers, Le 19 is the place to go.
Ballon d’Épernay: Tips for a unique view from 150 meters up
Another thing that immediately stands out as you walk through Epernay is the large balloon (not for those afraid of heights). You go to a height of about 150m, from where you have a panoramic view of Epernay and the surrounding villages. In bad weather, of course, the balloon will not take to the air. The price is €14 for adults (€24 with a glass of champagne) and €7 for children ages 3 and up. More information can be found on the website.
Hautvillers: The most beautiful village and the birthplace of Champagne
We used the e-bikes to bike to Hautvillers. Epernay is not really a bike-friendly city, but once you are outside the city, it is so nice along the vineyards. And we were pretty happy with the electrical part of the bikes because the incline is steep towards Hautvillers.
Also, visit the church where Dom Pérignon is buried. This monk is the founder of the méthode champenoise, the preparation method for making Champagne.
In Hautvillers, you can visit several champagne houses; we visited four: Joseph Desruets, G. Tribaut, Jean-Philippe Bosser, and JM Gobillard et Fils.
You can also book an organized tour from Épernay to Hautvillers. You’ll visit not only Hautvillers but also Mareuil-sur-Ay in a classic car. Or book this tour, which includes six drinks.
There are also tours from Reims to Hautvillers, where you can enjoy delicious champagne.
Visit the Pressoria Champagne Museum in Aÿ-Champagne
In Aÿ-Champagne (about a 15-minute drive from Épernay), you can learn more about what makes the Champagne region so unique. Discover which grapes are grown there, how the harvest takes place, and how champagne is made. It’s an interactive museum where you can also smell the different aromas of the various grapes and experience the difference between a ripe, unripe, and overripe grape. You’ll finish with a tasting of two champagnes while enjoying a stunning view of the surrounding vineyards. You can easily buy tickets online.
Reims Cathedral
Reims is best known for its cathedral and as the largest city in the Champagne region. You can also visit some major Champagne houses such as Veuve-Clicquot, Lanson, Taittinger, Pommery …. Besides the cathedral, there is also the Basilica of Saint-Rémi, the Archbishop’s Palace, the Porte de Mars, or a visit to the Fossier factory (the pink biscuits). For car enthusiasts, there is also the automobile museum.
It is ideal to visit for a day while staying in the area. A tip for eating is Gueuleton: tasty steak tartare and marrowbone, two French classics.
Verzenay Lighthouse: Panoramic view of the vineyards
The lighthouse in Verzenay was built in the early 1900s by a champagne farmer as a promotional stunt among the vineyards. Today, you can climb the 101 stairs to get a 360° view of the surrounding vineyards. Moreover, there is also an ecomuseum on the history of Champagne, and you can also taste Champagne. I think on a sunny day in summer, the view will be more beautiful than what we have seen now.
Prices: €3 for adults and €2 for children (ages 6-16) to climb the lighthouse. The combination with the museum costs €9 and €5 respectively. If you only want to visit the museum, it costs €8 and €4.
Where to eat in the Champagne region?
We had 2 delicious meals in Epernay: more traditional French food at Au Petit Fourneau and French food with a modern twist at Why Not. It is recommended to reserve a table for both of them as they are very popular, not only with tourists but also with locals.
In Sézanne, a group of 11 of us went to eat at Duo Braisé where they only serve roast chicken and pizza. The pizzas are really very tasty and the drink prices are not too bad either. Definitely recommended if you are staying somewhere nearby.
Tips for Champagne
- Hatton et Filles in Damery: Cuvee Renee Haton and Cuvee Agathe
- Joseph Desruets in Hautvillers: Cuvee Nature and Blanc de Blancs
- G. Tribaut in Hautvillers
- JM Gobillard et Fils in Hautvillers: Brut Blanc de Noirs
Also, do not drink and drive! Always make sure you have somebody with you who doesn’t drink.
Frequently Asked Questions About the Champagne Region
When is the best time to visit the Champagne Region?
The best time is spring (May/June) or early fall (September). The vineyards are beautifully green then, and the weather is ideal for walking or cycling. However, if you want to taste champagne at the smaller local vineyards, try to avoid the grape harvest season (September/October). During the vendange, most small houses are busy in the fields and in the press house, so they are often closed to visitors.
What are the best cities to visit in the Champagne region?
The best-known and most charming towns are Épernay and Reims. Épernay is often called the capital of the region and is home to the famous Avenue de Champagne. Reims is the largest city and is known for its impressive cathedral and major champagne houses such as Veuve Clicquot and Taittinger.
Can I visit the champagne houses without an appointment?
At the large, well-known houses (such as Mercier or Moët & Chandon), it is necessary to book a tour in advance. At smaller houses in villages like Hautvillers, you can sometimes drop in spontaneously for a tasting, but during the grape harvest, you’re less likely to be able to visit the smaller houses.
What’s the best way to explore the vineyards?
One of the best ways to explore the Champagne region is by e-bike. From Épernay, you can easily cycle through the vineyards to nearby villages like Hautvillers. For longer distances between districts, such as the Côte des Blancs or the Montagne de Reims, a car is the most practical option.
Plan your trip to the Champagne Region like a pro
✈️ Book your cheap flights to Paris on Skyscanner
🏨 Reserve a hotel, apartment, or holiday home at Booking.com
🚕 Need a transfer from the airport? Use Welcome Pickups or download the Bolt or Uber app
🛜 Use Airalo eSIM to avoid roaming fees. Use SHARON9895 to get €3
📺 Use NordVPN to keep watching your favorite programs or movies on the go
🚗 Need to rent a car? Use DiscoverCars or Local Rent
🚆 Buy train tickets from Omio
💳 Use Wise to pay in France at the real exchange rate and avoid expensive foreign card fees
🎟️ Pre-book tours, entrance tickets, and activities via Viator or GetYourGuide
🏥 Get travel insurance at World Nomads or Safety Wing
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