Reims & Champagne full day trip from Epernay (private)
8 hours
Commentary: Audio · en
Epernay, France
About this activity
Enjoy a day in Champagne, visiting Reims and the famous Veuve Clicquot winery. Explore historic sights, learn about champagne production, and savor tastings of the finest bubbly.
Highlights
- Visit Notre Dame de Reims, a Unesco site
- Tour world-famous Veuve Clicquot winery
- Stop in Hautvillers village and learn about Dom Perignon
Full description
Meet Your Expert Guide:
Meet your English speaking guide who is an expert on Champagne Wines and who will go over the program and itinerary of your private wine tour with you. Then, board your Premium, air-conditioned vehicle and begin your private tour to discover the regional capital of Reims.
Program & Itinerary :
Pick up at your accommodation in Epernay
Visit Reims and its Cathedral with your guide
Visit & Champagne tasting at Veuve Clicquot winery
Optional Champagne pairing lunch - can be selected during booking process
Stop at Hautvillers village
Visit & Champagne tasting at family owned winery
Return to Epernay
Drive through the Champagne wine region
Begin your day with the scenic Route du Champagne. It meanders among the vineyards and picturesque villages, offering a charming bucolic landscape. We take you to the Côte des Blancs for a sightseeing of some of the most famous Grandes Maisons de Champagne such as: Bollinger, Gosset, Deutz, etc. En route the countryside is enamelled with beautiful Grand Cru villages like Ay, Hautvillers, Bouzy, Le Mesnil, or Vernezay. A stop will be possible in the village of Hautvillers during the day to celebrate Dom Perignon.
Guided tour of the Cathedral of Reims
Listed as a Unesco World Heritage Site, the 13th century Notre-Dame de Reims Cathedral is one of Europe's most important Gothic structures. Let yourself be captivated by the unique stained glasses and the exceptionally rich statuary - over 2 300 statues - among which the famous Smiling Angel.
It is here that King Clovis was baptized around year 498 giving birth to the Kingdom of the Franks and starting a long lasting tradition: except for just two of them, all the Kings of France were crowned here!
Visit & Wine Tasting at Veuve Clicquot Winery (or similar)
Founded in 1772 by Philippe Clicquot-Muiron, the house played an important role in establishing champagne as a favored drink of Bourgeoisie and Nobility throughout Europe. After the death of her Husband, in 1805, Barbe Nicole Ponsardin known as the widow Clicquot (veuve in French) became the first woman to take over a Champagne house.
Under Madame Clicquot's guidance, the firm focused entirely on the last, to great success. She will also revolutionize the techniques of the Champagne making process. Because of this she was named “La Grande Dame de la Champagne”.
Upon arrival, follow your first Champagne tour of the day. We have booked for you the Bubbly workshop visit. This workshop will help you discover, through a 15 minute walk, the atmospheric cellars and you will be introduced to the making-process of our iconic cuvée the Yellow Label associated with a vintage cuvee
Optional Champagne Pairing lunch at a local domain
The Foureur family vineyard has been Champagne producers since the 16th century. In 1875, they began producing Champagne under their own brand. They are located in the Grand Cru village of Ambonnay. They own 4 hectares of grand cru vineyard, especially renowned for their Pinot Noir. This allowed them to produce 20 000 bottles, mainly sold in France.
Your private Champagne tour continues far from the commercial aspect of the Grandes Maisons where you will discover here the ancestral methods for the making process of champagne and meet passionate people.
Visit & Wine tasting at a family estate
The House was created in 1875 in the little village of Damery located in the Marne’s Valley. Laure and David are proud to be today the Fifth generation of winemakers. They are focused on the respect of both traditions and ancestral working methods. Their champagne Plaisir d’Antan is for instance a good example of this philosophy.
Made of a 100 percent Chardonnay, this Cuvée is aged in oak casks as it was before the creation of stainless steel vats giving a unique taste to the Champagne. They work as independent winemakers with 12 hectares of vineyards and produce 80 000 bottles.
After the Champagne tasting, it will be time to return to Epernay and this will be the end of our small group full day tour. Please note that we also organize private tours of the Champagne vineyard that include the visit of Epernay and Champagne tastings on the Avenue de Champagne.
Note : In the event that the Champagne House we had originally planned to visit is not available, it will be replaced with a similar Champagne House. The tour of the Champagne House may be conducted with other people, depending on the size of the group. This is common practice in order to provide everyone with an enjoyable and informative experience.
Included / Excluded
- Pick up and drop off in Epernay
- Bubbly Tour in Veuve Clicquot winery (or similar)
- Sightseeing tour in the vineyards
- Visit Hautvillers village, home of Dom Pérignon
- English-speaking local guide, expert in Champagne
- Personal insurance and expenses
- Meals, drinks unless mentioned in program
- Eventual gratuities
- Tour & Champagne pairing lunch (100€ per person)
Meeting point
Start Location
Épernay, France
Important information
Know before you book
- Visit in 2 or 3 wineries including Veuve Clicquot
- Tour is operated in English, other languages on request
- Tour is not wheelchair accessible
- Prices are per group from 2 to 8 persons (255€ per person based on a group of 8 persons)
Know before you go
- 8 hour private Champagne Wine Tour from Epernay
- Tour available all year round (except May 1st, Dec 25th and Jan 1st)
- Tour involves some walking, comfortable walking shoes are recommended
- Visit in 2 or 3 wineries including Veuve Clicquot
Cancellation policy
Free cancellation up to 24 days before the activity starts
Cancellation Policy : Up to 7 days before the tour : 100% refund – Less than 7 days before the tour : no refund available. (modification of the date available according of availability)
Reviews
Kristin Owens
Sep 20265.0
Rodolphe was amazing! He is an expert on wine and made our tour incredibly educational
Joshua Ra
Sep 20265.0
Helene was absolutely amazing and had an immense amount of knowledge that exponentially increased my appreciation and enjoyment of the wines we tasted. I learned so much and her encyclopedia-like expertise on wine, processes, chateaus, and history, paired with her friendliness made this an unforgettable experience. Thank you Helene!!!
Carey Manza
Sep 20265.0
Violet is an exceptional tour guide! She met us promptly, made sure we were comfortable and began our tour. She happily shared her knowledge of the region and made sure we had a beautiful day. A true delight. Thank you!
Additional information
- Please note that we do not distribute water bottles anymore to limit our environmental impact. We strongly recommend that you bring a reusable bottle.
- If Veuve Clicquot isn't available, we'll substitute with a similar winery.
- Please note that Maison Moët & Chandon will be closed during the 2024 Olympics Games, from July 22nd to August 11th and from August 26th to September 8th 2024.
- If Veuve Clicquot isn't available, we'll substitute with a similar winery.
- Please note that Maison Moët & Chandon will be closed during the 2024 Olympics Games, from July 22nd to August 11th and from August 26th to September 8th 2024.