Champagne-Ardenne Things to Do

Champagne Tour

by sue_stone

When staying in the Champagne region make sure you do a tour of one of the Champagne Houses.We did an excellent tour at Moet et Chandon, which is located in the town of Epernay, 25kms south of Reims.The tour goes for about an hour. You learn about the history and process of champagne making, have a wander through the cellars, and most importantly get to taste some of the finished product!

Moet & Chandon

by paradisedreamer

There are guided tours of the cellars which are very informative. We just arrived and managed to go on a tour straight away but it is probably worth calling ahead to book. I would recommend this as a first stop before exploring the rest of the region. You can have a taste of the champagne at the end. One thing I learnt was that the champagne in magnum bottles is of a lesser quality than the 750ml bottles. So next time you try to impress with a magnum take note!!

Rheims

by paradisedreamer

Reims is an ancient Roman city. The Germans occupied Reims in 1870, 1914, and 1940. It is at the centre of the champagne region and popular with tourists for that reason. There is not much to see in the city but there are large squares, and long, tree-lined avenues with many bars and restaurants.

Hautvilliers

by paradisedreamer

This is a lovely village on the route touristique and the Abbey is wroth a look if it is open. A monk named Dom Perignon was appointed the treasurer of Hautvilliers Abbey in in 1668. The Hautvilliers Abbey wanted to develop its wine trade and felt that Dom Perignon was the man who could achieve that goal.

Biggest fortified castle in europe

by Mique

This huge castle was build in 1424 and expanded and fortified in the centuries after. It is said to be the biggest fortified castle in Europe and with its immense 35000 m² it is very impressive. And i must say i absolutely loved it. It took me around 3 hours to explore every single nook i was allowed to investigate.One starts exploring this chateau in the bowels of the castle and slowly makes his or herway up the ramps and walls.Halfway the explorations ther eis a little sign indication to something called ' jeu du paume' and if you follow that you find yourself in this almost cathedral sized room were soldiers used to play a game that resembles tennis but is played with the palm of the hand.Finally you reach the actual chateau part of this huge fortress where there is a museum which gives an impression of how life was inside the chateau.

Picnic spots

by paradisedreamer

There are plenty of scenic places to stop off for a picnic or a walk.

Route tourstique

by paradisedreamer

The Marne Valley offers an opportunity to visit the many champagne houses and wine estates located near the banks of the River Marne, an area famous for the Pinot Meunier grape.

Market

by paradisedreamer

The markets are a great place to do some shopping for a picnic. Pick up some ripe Camembert and a baguette and a bottle of chamoagne (when in Rome.......)

Epernay

by paradisedreamer