Champagne Region

This is such a beautiful place and within two and a half hours you’re really in France. The region is steeped in history, gorgeous countryside and of course champagne!

The hotels in the region offer some good deals or there are many small B&B’s in the towns and surrounding villages.

What better place to go for a romantic break. There are tours of the champagne houses where you can find out about the history and production of champagne. Of course you won’t leave without trying, and maybe buying, a glass or two!

For those who are a little more serious about their champagne there are dedicated tours.

The Short Tour is for 2-3 days in Reims where you’ll find G.H. Mumm, Tattinger, Pommery, Lanson and many more. There’s great shopping, fantastic restaurants and even free concerts during the summer.

The Medium Tour lasts for 4-5 days and takes in Epernay, some 29km south of Reims. Epernay is known as the Champagne Capital and is home to the largest number of cellars and Houses in the area, which you’ll find mainly in Avenue de Champagne (which makes it easy to remember).

The buildings are of Renaissance style and amongst them you’ll find famous names such as Mercier and Moët.

The Longer Tour would take over 5 days as you’d also visit the lovely little village of Hautvilliers where, as legend has it, a Benedictine monk, called Dom Pérignon invented champagne at the abbey.

This would be followed by a trip to Tryes with its half-timbered buildings, fountains, cobbled streets and lovely squares. You’ll drive through the Chardonnay growing area of Côte des Blanc.

If you’d like a break from champagne, in between Reims and Epernay is the Montagne de Reims Regional Park, where you can go on walks or do some off-road cycling.