Champagne Route
Route Touristique du Champagne
A scenic driving route through rolling vineyards in the heart of the Champagne region, connecting prestigious wine villages and estates. The landscape of UNESCO-listed chalk hillsides dotted with vines offers stunning views and opportunities to visit famous champagne houses.
Things to do
- Champagne House Tours in Reims — Visit prestigious houses like Veuve Clicquot, Taittinger, and Pommery to explore cellars carved into chalk and taste prestigious cuvées.
- Épernay Avenue de Champagne — Stroll the grand boulevard lined with ornate champagne house mansions and visit smaller producers along this iconic street.
- Hautvillers Village and Abbey — Explore the picturesque village where Dom Pérignon lived and discover the monks' historic contribution to champagne production at the abbey.
- Montagne de Reims Scenic Drive — Navigate the winding roads through south-facing slopes with terraced vineyards offering panoramic views of the chalky landscape.
- Cramant Village and Chalk Quarries — Visit this charming Côte des Blancs village to see traditional Chardonnay vineyards and learn about chalk extraction that shaped the region.
- Grower Champagne Tasting — Seek out small family vignerons to taste artisanal champagnes directly from producers who cultivate and bottle their own wines.
- UNESCO Chalk Hillside Walks — Hike the designated trails through the Listed UNESCO landscape to experience the distinctive white chalk terrain and vine-covered slopes firsthand.
Food to try
- Mousseline de Quenelles — A delicate local specialty of light pike or fish dumplings in a creamy sauce, often paired with Champagne.
- Jambon de Reims — A traditional pale ham from Reims, cooked in Champagne broth and served cold, reflecting centuries of local culinary tradition.
- Andouillette de Troyes — A celebrated tripe sausage from nearby Troyes with a distinctive peppery mustard crust, a robust regional specialty.
- Biscuits Roses de Reims — Delicate pink-hued almond biscuits that traditionally accompany Champagne as an elegant aperitif treat.
- Coq au Champagne — Tender chicken braised in local Champagne with mushrooms and pearl onions, a signature dish of the wine country.
- Cheese and Champagne Pairing — Sample local Époisses or Chaource cheeses paired with dry Brut or Blanc de Blancs Champagnes at regional fromageries.
Local customs & good to know
- Plan visits around harvest season — September through October is when the region buzzes with activity, though book champagne house tours well in advance as they fill quickly.
- Respect cellar etiquette — Cellars (crayères) maintain cool temperatures year-round; wear layers and follow guides closely as some tunnels are extensive and historic.
- Learn the classification system — Understanding Grandes Marques versus Récoltants-Manipulants helps you appreciate the difference between prestigious houses and small family producers.
- Embrace the ritual of tasting — Champagne tastings are social occasions; sip slowly, engage with the producer about their methods, and appreciate the craftsmanship rather than rushing through.