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.