Tips for the French Champagne region – a (weekend) trip
Extensive vineyards, picturesque towns and champagne in abundance. That can only be one French region, the Champagne region. At about a five-hour drive from Amsterdam, you're surprisingly close. Perfect for a (long) weekend away or as a getaway from Paris (2 hours drive). Don't expect an abundance of you-of-itaddresses, because strangely enough, they're scarce here. But that's precisely what makes it so special: it's the hidden gems that make this region so special. You just have to find them. And that's exactly what we did. From charming hotels to atmospheric restaurants and local vineyards where you'll want to (and will) linger. Everything you need to create your ideal weekend tour through France's Champagne region. Cheers!
Do you really want to get the most out of that trip? The very best tips for the Champagne region can be found in the France Barts E-Booklet.
So, a weekend tour: leave Friday, return Sunday – a tight schedule. It's smart to plan your route strategically: on Friday, you'll drive straight to Épernay. A relatively small town that can rightly call itself the epicenter of Champagne. Along the Avenue de Champagne (the name couldn't be more fitting), the grand houses line up: Moët & Chandon, Perrier-Jouët, Pol Roger, and Mercier, and beneath the city stretch some 110 kilometers of impressive chalk cellars.
Then on to Reims, just as important and enjoyable, historical and with ample champagne production. Big names are featured here: Taittinger, Veuve Clicquot, Pommery, and Ruinart. Besides Épernay and Reims, don't forget the vineyards themselves: they are spread throughout the region, from the Montagne de Reims to the Vallée de la Marne and the Côte des Blancs. In short: there's no shortage of champagne.
We give you tips on where to sleep and eat, which champagne houses are worth a visit, which farmers you can put bottles in the trunk of, what a black is when in Reims and how to keep that champagne feeling bubbling at home.
To start at the beginning: the most searched question “Where do we sleep near Reims? Below is our answer. Because the list would otherwise be endless, we'll highlight a few addresses, and you can find the rest via the links. Don't worry: each one is equally good.
Passport, phone charger, sunscreen: everyone knows the standard packing list. But the credit card is often forgotten, and that is a shame. Because it is indispensable, especially when traveling. You will want to take one with you to Champagne, too. Whether it involves booking a charming stay among the vineyards (for example, at the Royal Champagne Hotel & Spa), paying a deposit at your accommodation, or making a last-minute upgrade, a credit card is handy because the amount is not debited directly from your bank account. And should something unexpected happen, a credit card offers extra security.
Are you visiting champagne houses in Epernay Or dining at Le Jardin Les Crayères? Then you’d better have your credit card with you. Even if you have the latest debit card, with a credit card almost all your purchases are insured against loss, theft, and damage for 180 days. There you go, extra security during a weekend full of bubbles.
When you think of the Champagne region, you quickly picture romantic châteaux and soft hotel beds. But did you know that this region is at least as much fun for adventurers? Let's Stay wild. Here you rent a cool Jeep Gladiator of Jeep Renegade, complete with roof tent and camping gear. Tour from vineyard to vineyard, taste the finest bubbles along the way, and don't worry about the return trip: your bedroom simply travels with you.
Chateau de Picheny
This charming little castle, once built as a hunting lodge in 1869, is just such a champagne-ripe base you want when traveling to Champagne. From Chateau de Picheny You dive right into the fields. Charming outside, thankfully no different inside. The Napoleon III style has been preserved, with original oak floors and complemented by Toile de Jouy-wallpaper and fabrics. The whole place remains small and intimate: there are only three rooms. Peace and quiet are guaranteed, although that doesn't mean there's plenty of room – so booking is recommended.
Relais & Châteaux Hostellerie Briqueterie & Spa
Nestled in the heart of the Champagne region, a stone's throw from Épernay and less than half an hour from Reims, Relais & Châteaux Hostellerie La Briqueterie & Spa. Here you are not only sitting among the vines, but also among a herb garden, a rose garden and even a small orchard – nature all over the place.
You're here for champagne, of course, but the hotel itself is also quite something. There's a spa, a restaurant, and in 2024, everything underwent a major renovation, giving the hotel a fresh new look. In good weather, you can sit outside on the terrace overlooking all this greenery, and if the weather turns, that's no problem at all – a fireplace and an equally pleasant atmosphere await you inside.
Cabanes de la Presle
We're trying a different approach: no hotel this time, but wooden cabins. Instantly that outdoor feeling. Cabanes de la Presle offers three accommodations, and Cabane Plume is our favorite. A real treehouse, lots of wood, abundant greenery, and—importantly—a hot tub. Here, you'll truly enjoy the outdoors. Cook for yourself, wrap up in a blanket in the evening, and of course, pick up a bottle of champagne from a local farmer to complete the atmosphere.
The Farm
If you go away with friends or with the whole family, you really only want one thing: space, atmosphere and no fuss. The Farm Le Farm has it all. An old farmhouse that has been tastefully renovated – wooden beams, linen, warm sandy tones. A long table awaits for an hour-long drinks session. Six bedrooms, three bathrooms, so no one needs to schedule a shower in the morning. Self-catering is allowed, but not required, as there's also a restaurant. Le Farm is fully equipped.
Sacy Castle
Should we Sacy Castle To put it succinctly, it boils down to this: a relaxing and romantic stay in a small castle, blissfully surrounded by vineyards, just a few minutes by taxi from the Champagne-Ardennes train station. Opulent theatricality is the common thread. Every room is unique, the headboards are towering, and the draped beds are extravagant. Note: a night in the castle isn't necessarily cheap, but it's worth it. And if you don't, you can always join us for dinner at Château de Sacy. Enjoy the atmosphere, not the price (well, a little).
The sleeping tips are adding up, so here are 6 more inns via the links:
Here are two for the chic the fidget-category. Sleeping might be a bit pricey, but popping in for a glass of champagne and a long lunch is an excellent alternative.
Small champagne houses? They're only open on Fridays and Saturdays. Big houses? Plan those for Saturdays and Sundays. So, keep this in mind, dear TV viewers, or you'll find yourself facing a closed door at the smaller ones.
Which Champagne houses should you visit and which small champagne growers should you stock up on?
There are the large, often commercial, houses (though we don't mind a little commercialism either; a little is nice too) and then there are the small champagne producers. The idea: you go to both!
A list of the big names (extensive, but not complete) to let your imagination run wild.
Reims
In Reims you will find impressive crayères (chalk cellars), which is a sight in itself. So which one should you visit?
- Veuve Clicquot: with a lot of history surrounding Madame Clicquot
- Taittinger: for the beautiful Gallo-Roman cellars (UNESCO)
- Ruinart: the oldest champagne house (1729)
- Pommery: with art installations in the basement
Epernay
In Épernay you will find the line-up of champagne houses and so you hop from one to the next. These are:
- Moët & Chandon: no explanation needed right?
- Pol roger: often cited as a sommelier favourite, but there's no accounting for taste, plus for Churchill fans
- Mercier: There's a little train! Through the cellars!
- Leclerc Briant: for your biodynamic glass of champagne
And then you move on to the addresses where you really get your feet wet: the farmers of ChampagneSave them, make an appointment and go and taste.
Everyone wishes for a champagne-drinking godmother who knows all the small producers like the back of her hand. We have one—and we're happy to extend that favor to you. These addresses are: tried & tested (more than once) and passed the selection process with flying colours.
Off you go:
Be sure to check out the hotels mentioned above. They often provide delicious lunches and dinners, and you'll feel like royalty. Other places to satisfy your hunger (or thirst) include the following:
And then: the best horse in the stable: The Perching Bar. The kind of place you see everywhere you look up anything about the Champagne region. It's almost impossible to miss. A treehouse for adults: an architectural marvel perched high amidst the vineyards. A view over the vines, a glass of champagne in hand, and that's exactly what you're here for.
Don't miss at 10:45 pm: Dream of colors
Wthem in Reims, make sure you are at the city's cathedral at 23:00 PM on Saturday evening. During the summer months (from May to October) there is a 3D light show place. Spectacle much and perhaps not directly on you Champagne wish-to-do list, but seeing is understanding. And that for 25 minutes.
The trunk is, of course, full of boxes of bubbly to enjoy for weeks to come. But suppose it was too small, or—purely hypothetically—the supply dwindled faster than planned. Fortunately, there are a few solutions closer to home.
Bar du Champagne, Amsterdam
Bar du Champagne Belongs to L'Atelier du Champagne, located in the heart of Amsterdam, on Rokin. It won't come as a surprise what you'll find here: a champagne bar. it is, where around 120 types of champagne are on the menu, with another 400 cuvées in the back of the shop. Besides an abundance of champagnes, you can also find small dishes and so-called bar bites.
Maison Champenoise, Amsterdam
Also nice: Maison Champenoise in the Jordaan. A small French restaurant that focuses on the savory tart from the Champagne region – golden-brown pastry, rich fillings, exactly the kind of food you'd order there after a tasting. Suitable for lunch. aperitif or a casual dinner, and just the right combination with… that's right, a glass of bubbly.
Webshop Brouzje
Is there still a need for your own stock? Then there is always a webshop BrouzjeA kind of digital wine cellar: from small, lesser-known producers to the major houses (even Joseph Perrier, purveyor to the British royals). Just scroll down, order, and you'll have something cold ready for the next time you're pretending the weekend in Champagne is still going on.
