2 days in Epernay: escape to the heart of the bubbles

DAY 1 - 10h00

Discovery of the Moët et Chandon House

As the capital of Champagne, Epernay is the ideal place to visit a Champagne House!
Head for Moët et Chandon, on the Avenue de Champagne, and its cellars, the largest in the region. This famous house, founded in 1743, opens its doors to 3 centuries of heritage spread over 28 kilometres of underground galleries: spectacular! We begin a descent 30 metres below ground to reach the chalk pits where the bottles rest peacefully: between transmission and passion, the cellar masters tell us some of the secrets of making this world-renowned Champagne. The tour ends with a guided tasting session, an opportunity to hone our palate in the company of top sommeliers.

12h00

A stroll along the Avenue de Champagne

It's known as the Avenue des Champs-Elysées champenoise: grandiose châteaux, charming hotels and the headquarters of the Champagne houses follow one another for more than a kilometre, along which you can allow yourself to bubble! Visit the courtyards of honour, bask in the glow of the water mirror and stroll through the gardens: there's no doubt that this avenue is a true celebration of the art of living in the Champagne region, while underfoot you can imagine 200 million bottles maturing in the cool of the cellar... Nearby, you can find a restaurant where you can eat a Champagne speciality and enjoy local cuisine. Reims ham, pig's trotter "à la Sainte-Menou"... It's all there for you to enjoy!

15h00

Bubble in the Épernay balloon

Head for the thrills! Take to the skies at over 150 metres for a truly unique visit! Settled into a gondola suspended from a huge helium-filled balloon, you'll take off on a 10-minute journey over Epernay, watching from the sky for a breathtaking 360° panorama. During our journey, we caught a glimpse of the famous Avenue de Champagne, visited earlier in the day. The colourful touch? The Champagne vineyards, green in summer and golden in autumn, splendid in any season!

18h00

Sunset in the heart of the Epernay vineyards

When authentic vintage combines with the beauty of the Champagne region, it's a perfect match! Accompanied by a local guide, you'll climb aboard a Renault Estafette Alouette, a famous vintage car, to criss-cross the roads of Champagne.
Departing from the famous Avenue de Champagne, the 2-hour escapade continues through the valleys to discover unique know-how and sublime views. The drive ends with a champagne tasting in the middle of the vines, as the sun sets: a magical sight to be immortalised!

21h00

Exceptional night on the Avenue de Champagne

Why not end the day as you began it? Treat yourself to a prestigious night in the heart of the Avenue de Champagne to sample the dolce vita of the Champagne region. In this hushed, privileged setting, private mansions and guest houses share the landscape to offer us exceptional accommodation: an opportunity to set down your bags in a unique setting where you can adopt the lifestyle made in Champagne: we bubble as we please!

DAY 2 - 10h00

Head for Mont Bernon

In the cool of the early morning, you can extend your escapade by heading for Mont Bernon: with paths specially laid out for walkers, you can begin the ascent without too much difficulty. After a 2-hour walk, you reach the point you've been waiting for: the 360° panorama over the Champagne hillsides and the Chalonnais plains. A listed Natural Monument, the summit is home to an atypical 3-hectare park overlooking the town of Epernay and its vineyards, the ideal place to wander and enjoy a clearing planted with oak, ash, maple and hundred-year-old pine trees! Don't hesitate to sit down at one of the picnic tables for a bite to eat, while taking in the marvellous view 217 metres above the town.

14h00

Visit the vineyards of Aÿ-Champagne

Head for the commune of Aÿ-Champagne for a truly unique sensory journey! In the heart of the historic hillsides listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, a whole new world opens up to us: a 1? hour stroll reveals all the mysteries of the wine of kings. At once authentic, fun and interactive, the trail is punctuated by different stages on the discovery of the land and the vines, from harvesting to learning about flavours and aromas. The trail ends with a tasting of champagne or grape juice, all in front of a panorama that we can't get enough of!

16h00

Visit to the Champagne Wine and Regional Archaeology Museum

Stay in the Avenue de Champagne district to visit the Champagne Wine Museum. This is one of the most important collections of national archaeology and a remarkable heritage on the history of Champagne spread over 4 stages. The building itself is already impressive: both grandiose and imposing! The tour takes you from room to room in an exquisite setting of parquet flooring, stone walls and mouldings. Between discovering the formation of the Champagne landscape, archaeological collections on the history of human settlement in Champagne, and anecdotes on how champagne is made, this museum is as magnificent as it is instructive! We finish our visit with a refreshing visit to the underground chalk pits. Finally, a special mention for the view over the gardens, which we can't get enough of.

Alcohol abuse is dangerous for your health, so drink in moderation.