Grand Est · France
Where bubbles were born — vineyards, cellars and centuries of tradition.
The Champagne region lies in the Grand Est of north-eastern France, roughly 150 km east of Paris. Its gentle chalk hills — the coteaux champenois — have been cultivated with Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier grapes for over a thousand years, producing the world's most celebrated sparkling wine.
In 2015, the hillsides, houses and cellars of Champagne were inscribed on UNESCO's World Heritage List, recognising the unique interplay of natural landscape and human ingenuity that goes into every bottle. The region's two principal cities — Reims and Épernay — serve as ideal bases for exploration.
Reims is home to the awe-inspiring Gothic cathedral where French kings were crowned for nearly a thousand years. Épernay's famous Avenue de Champagne is lined with the grand houses of Moët & Chandon, Perrier-Jouët and many others, all sitting atop a labyrinth of chalk cellars stretching for hundreds of kilometres underground.
A Gothic masterpiece and UNESCO site, coronation church of French kings for nearly 1,000 years.
Épernay's prestigious boulevard — the most expensive square kilometre of land in France — lined with legendary Champagne houses.
Cycle or drive the Champagne wine routes through the Montagne de Reims, Côte des Blancs and Vallée de la Marne.
Tour the vast chalk crayères beneath Reims — some carved by the Romans — where millions of bottles quietly mature.
Rolling vineyards inscribed on the World Heritage List in 2015 for their outstanding universal value.
Enjoy local specialities such as jambon de Reims, andouillette and the famous pink biscuit rose de Reims.
Spring (April–May) for flowering vineyards and autumn (September–October) for harvest season — the most atmospheric time.
Reims is 45 minutes from Paris Gare de l'Est by TGV. Épernay is 25 minutes by regional train from Reims.
Grand hotels in central Reims, boutique maisons de champagne with on-site cellar tours, or charming chambres d'hôtes amid the vines.
A cellar tour with tasting at one of the grandes maisons, local cheeses paired with a blanc de blancs, and a flute of vintage Champagne at sunset over the vineyards.