France's most sparkling vineyard
From the chalk cellars of Reims to Épernay's Avenue de Champagne and the UNESCO-listed slopes.
Latest articles
Practical guides, explainers and good addresses for enthusiasts and travellers alike.
The Best Champagne: How to Choose It by Budget and Taste
There's no single best Champagne, only the one that's right for you. Our guidance by budget, style and occasion so you never get it wrong again.
Cellar Tours in Champagne: The Complete Guide (Reims & Épernay)
How a Champagne cellar tour works, where to book in Reims and Épernay, what it costs, and our tips for choosing the right one.
What to Do in Épernay: The Avenue de Champagne and Our Must-Sees
Visiting Épernay, the capital of Champagne: the Avenue de Champagne, the houses to tour, the cellars, and our tips for a great day out.
Champagne Tasting in Reims: Where and How to Taste
Where to enjoy a Champagne tasting in Reims: grand houses, UNESCO chalk cellars and Champagne bars. Our tips for tasting like a pro.
The Grape Varieties of Champagne: Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Meunier
Which grape varieties go into Champagne? Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Pinot Meunier and the forgotten varieties: the role, character and terroir of each.
Crémant or Champagne: What's the Difference (and When to Choose Which)?
Crémant and Champagne: same method, different terroir and rules. Understand what sets them apart and which to choose depending on the occasion and budget.
Where to start
Tours & Tastings
Cellars, chalk crayères and champagne houses to visit in Reims, Épernay and the vineyard: practical info, prices and booking.
Trips & Day Tours
The Champagne tourist routes, day trips from Paris and tailor-made tours between Reims and Épernay.
Getaways & Weekends
Wine weekend ideas, where to stay and all-inclusive breaks to discover Champagne at your own pace.
The Vineyard & Terroirs
Montagne de Reims, Marne Valley, Côte des Blancs, Côte des Bar: understanding the terroirs and grapes of Champagne.
Understanding Champagne
Production, tasting, serving, food pairings and storage: everything you need to know about champagne.
Choosing & Gifting
Big brands or growers, brut, rosé, organic or vintage: how to choose and gift champagne well.
Plan your visit
Getting to Champagne, when to go, getting around: the visitor’s practical guide, with our travel partners.
Directory, cuvées, glossary & vintages
Our reference bases to recognise the houses and great cuvées, understand the vocabulary and place the great years.
Champagne houses
18 houses listed: founding year, town, style, grape and flagship cuvée.
Iconic cuvées
Dom Pérignon, Cristal, Ruinart Blanc de Blancs… the great cuvées and their style.
Champagne vocabulary
Brut nature, disgorgement, blanc de blancs, dosage… every term explained simply.
The great years
Champagne's landmark vintages and the character of each year.
Houses to visit
Ruinart
The oldest established Champagne house, founded in 1729 in Reims. Ruinart cultivates a Chardonnay-focused style and offers tours of its Gallo-Roman chalk cellars listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site.
Moët & Chandon
Founded in 1743, Moët & Chandon is the most widely distributed Champagne house in the world. Its cellars on the Avenue de Champagne in Épernay are among the longest in the region.
Veuve Clicquot
Founded in 1772, the house owes its fame to Barbe-Nicole Ponsardin, the widow Clicquot, who perfected the riddling table in 1816. Chalk cellar tours in Reims.
Piper-Heidsieck
Founded in 1785 in Reims, the house offers a themed guided tour of its cellars and a range spanning from brut to the prestige champagne Rare.
Perrier-Jouët
Founded in 1811 in Épernay, known for its Belle Époque cuvée and its bottle decorated with Art Nouveau anemones designed by Émile Gallé.
Laurent-Perrier
Founded in 1812, the Tours-sur-Marne house is a benchmark for rosé champagne, made by maceration, and offers tours of its production site.
Plan your stay
Transport, accommodation and weekend ideas: find our tips in "Plan your visit", in partnership with the travel magazine allovoyages.fr.
Plan your visit