Holiday in Champagne

About Champagne

Champagne, located about 150 kilometers east of Paris, is the home of the world's most famous sparkling wine. Only here, in this strictly protected growing area with its chalky soils and cool climate, can Champagne bear its name. Over 34,000 hectares of vineyard area, divided among around 16,000 winemakers, produce more than 300 million bottles of this noble drink each year. Reims and Épernay are the two capitals of the region. In Reims, where over 30 French kings were crowned in the Gothic cathedral, large houses like Veuve Clicquot, Taittinger, and Pommery invite visitors for cellar tours through kilometers of chalk cellars that were dug into former Roman limestone quarries. Épernay impresses with the Avenue de Champagne, which Forbes called the "most expensive street in the world" — beneath the pavement lie over 200 million bottles. The gently rolling hills of Champagne, a UNESCO World Heritage site since 2015, are best explored by car or bicycle. The Montagne de Reims, the Côte des Blancs, and the Marne Valley form the three main sub-regions with their Grand Cru locations. Small family winemakers open their doors for tastings, which are often more personal and authentic than those at the large brands. The culinary offerings range from Chaource cheese to Boudin Blanc to Biscuits roses de Reims. The best time to visit is September during the grape harvest when the villages buzz with activity.