Itinerary

Day 1 : Pommery, family estate (available everyday)

Pick-up is at 09:20 AM at the Reims Centre Train Station forecourt

Or at 09.15 AM at your hotel (according to the date of your arrival)

Tour and Champagne tasting at Pommery* (Visit includes: two glasses of Champagne).

Pommery is the first Maison to propose a self-guided and commented tour of its cellars and Gallo-Roman crayères (chalk pits) thanks to a downloadable application and audio itinerary (paper support also available).

Discover the magnificent Elizabethan style buildings in the depth of the cellars, at 30 metres below the ground. You will experience every aspect of the wine-making process and discover the contemporary art exhibition, Experience Pommery. At the end of your visit, you will be able to taste two glasses of the house's emblematic cuvées.

* Pommery may be replaced by Moet & Chandon for few days in March & April.

Sightseeing of the city of Reims: Grandes Maisons de Champagne, Cathedral...

We'll drive through the bustling streets of Reims to show you some famous Champagne Houses, the beautiful City Center and its imposing Cathedral, and point out places like the Royal Square, the majestic City Hall, Roman Oratory Ruins and THE widest standing Roman Arch in the world! On the Unesco World Heritage List, the 13th-Century Notre-Dame de Reims is one of Europe's most important Gothic structures - and is where most of the Kings of France were coronated through the ages.

Hautvillers sightseeing.

On the way to Epernay, we take you to the Marne River Valley, we'll pause in picture-perfect vineyards then go meet a prestigious personality of the area: Dom Pérignon, Champagne Wine's Spiritual Father. He contributed heavily to the fame of Champagne and is now buried in the church of the former Benedictine Abbey, in the charming hillside village of Hautvillers. We'll pay our respects there before heading down the meticulously manicured slopes into Epernay for lunch.

Lunch at your leisure in Epernay.

Sightseeing of Avenue de Champagne in Epernay.

Located in the beating heart of Epernay, the town internationally known as the "Capital of Champagne", its stunning main street features a half-mile long exhibition of opulent mansions housing some of the most illustrious "Maisons de Champagne": Moët & Chandon, Perrier-Jouet, Pol Roger, Mercier, etc. Not to mention the miles and miles of naturally climate-controlled champagne production and storage tunnels deep below the pavement!

Tour and Champagne Tasting at a family estate.

Before returning to Reims, you will experiment another face of Champagne: tour and Champagne tasting at a family estate. More than 4 000 family wine makers contribute to the prestige of Champagne and maintain the Tradition on from generation to generation, for one aim: the true expression of Champagne. Visit of the production’ site followed by a tasting of several cuvées.

Drop-off is at approximately 05:45 PM at your hotel

Check in at your Hotel La Paix**** in the city center of Reims.

Day 2 :  Reims Cathedral, Veuve Clicquot, Tour & tasting at a family domain (available on Tue, Thu & Sat)

Pick-up: 9:30 AM at the Reims Train Station forecourt,
or 9:15 AM at your hotel

Guided tour of Reims, city of coronations.

Your day will start by sightseeing the vibrant City Centre, a place full of charm, layers of unique history and regional culinary delights.

Guided tour and tasting at world famous Grande Maison de Champagne Veuve Clicquot (Visit included with 4 glasses of Champagne).

House founded in 1772 by Philippe Clicquot that became famous thanks to Madam Barbe Nicole Clicquot Ponsardin. You will learn about this visionary young widow who built an empire, and became a legend in her time “la Grande Dame of the Champagne region". For a while, take a dip into the heart of this House, its heritage, its savoir-faire. And discover its unique chalk-cellars and the making-process of Champagne.

*If an unforeseen circumstance arises affecting the Vranken Pommery tour, it may be replaced by one at the House of Mumm, Pommery or Taittinger.

Guided tour of the Cathedral of Reims.

A Unesco World Heritage Site, the 13th century Notre-Dame de Reims Cathedral is one of Europe's most important Gothic structures. You will be captivated by the enormity, the hypnotizing stained glass windows and the exceptionally rich statuary (there are over 2300 figures - and among them the famous Smiling Angel). Here King Clovis was baptized late in the Fifth Century AD, giving birth to the Kingdom of the Franks and started a lasting tradition: between 1027 and 1825 all but two Kings of France were coronated here!

Lunch at leisure in Reims

Reims Mountain Grand Cru Vineyards.

Then we'll leave the city and drive through the Grand Cru vineyards on the Mountain of Reims, where the Scenic Route of Champagne winds its way between fields of barley, vinyards, forests and picturesque villages such as Verzy, Verzenay and Mailly. Realm of the Pinot Noir varietal, the Mountain of Reims is known for its special "terroir" that gives Champagne much of its power and character. We'll take a tranquil, picturesque pause in such a vineyard to take it all in with our own five senses.

Champagne Tasting & Cellar Tours at a Champagne Grower's Family Domain.

In the heart of the Champagne’s Vineyards, you will be welcomed at a beautiful Champagne Grower's Family Estate. More that 4000 family winemakers contribute to the prestige of Champagne, keeping the Tradition alive from generation to generation with a common goal: the true expression of Champagne. The lovely afternoon will finish with another tasting of different Champagne wines. After heartfelt thank-yous and goodbyes we'll gently return you to the city of Reims.

Day 3: Check out & end of services

After a delicious breakfast, check out and end of services.

Accommodation

Located in the heart of Reims in an exceptional setting, only a stone's throw from the Cathedral and fine shopping, the Hotel de La Paix combines modernity and cultural heritage. Among contemporary lines, designer furniture, classic masonry and colorful variations there reins a serene, fluid and light atmosphere.

Hotel is subject to change according to availability. Should this unexpected circumstance arise we will provide a comparable alternative meeting the same high standards.

This tour includes

• 2 nights double-occupancy at the Hotel de la Paix**** in Reims, with breakfasts
• Transportation in a comfortable minivan
• Semi-private English speaking guide
• Tour of Reims Cathedral, sightseeing of Reims Grandes Maisons de Champagne
• Entry tickets and tastings at Veuve Clicquot and at a Family Estate
• Entry tickets and tastings at Pommery and at a Family Estate
• Avenue de Champagne tour
• Dom Perignon with Hautvillers stop.
  

This tour does not include

• Personal expenses
• Extra meals and drinks
• Guide appreciation gratuities
  
• Lunches

Additional information

Reims being only 60 minutes away from Paris by TGV, here is our train time stable recommendation :
to be advised.