Unesco Champagne Experience from Epernay (Private full day tour)

Discover one of the most famous Unesco Site in Champagne : The Reims Cathedral, site of the coronation of the kings of France who is the essential first step of your stay in Champagne. Before giving you the opportunity to explore its interior, your guide will explain the Cathedral’s history and mysteries. To join it, we will pass by the "Colline Saint-Nicaise", occupied by famous Champagne Houses (Ruinart, Veuve Clicquot, Pommery...) which have exploited the chalk pits there since the end of the 18th century, also inscribed on the World Heritage List.

In Hautvillers, village called the “Cradle of Champagne”, enjoy a private tour of the Church where the grave of Dom Pérignon, known as the spiritual father of Champagne, is. We will tell you his story and you will finally know whether or not he is the inventor of Champagne !

In Hautvillers, we will also stop in the historical hillsides of Champagne listed as Word Heritage Site by Unesco to enjoy the most magnificent panorama of Champagne overlooking the Marne Valley, the place where Dom Pérignon carried out his experiments in winemaking. It is the ideal place in the heart of the vineyards to take unforgettable photos of you and this breathtaking landscape. We will visit a family of independent producer/grower and we will explain the Champagne production process to you discovering their press, winery and cellar.* You will taste there 3 different Champagnes during a commented tasting. *depending on the season and availability, this visit/tastings may take place in a village of the "Côte des Blancs" or in Aÿ-Champagne.

You will discover also the famous village of Aÿ-Champagne, its hillsides listed as World Heritage Site by UNESCO and famous Grand Cru vineyards. Do you know that the village of Aÿ-Champagne was the main center of the Champagne industry in the 16th century and still has a very special place ? The kings of France had their own presses there and the wines of Champagne were formerly called "Wines of Aÿ". You will discover a part of this historic village and its famous vineyard mainly planted with Pinot noir where we will tell you about the work of the vines, the grape varieties, this exceptional Terroir, sustainable viticulture... We will also stop in front of the headquarters of famous Champagne Houses of Aÿ such as Bollinger, Deutz, Ayala.. During the day, in addition to the Champagnes, taste the 3 essential Champagne alcohols and aperitifs : Ratafia, Fine de la Marne and Marc de Champagne from the Goyard Distillery which is the oldest in Champagne.

For lunch, we have selected for you Champagne and dining bars appreciated by the locals in order to share this convivial moment*. On the menu, to accompany your glasses of Champagne (a bottle for 2 persons) for example : gourmet platters of charcuterie and cheese with bread and salad, ready-made farm meals, pâtés, regional biscuits and coffee. When booking your tour, please inform us if you have food allergies or have any dietary requirements. *Depending on the day of the tour, the lunch location may vary.

We will also pass through the Premier Cru village of Mareuil-sur-Aÿ in the Marne Valley with its historic hillsides listed as well as World Heritage Site by Unesco and mainly planted with Pinot Noir. This is the village where more confidential Champagne Houses are located : Champagne Billecart-Salmon and Philipponnat.

Another must-see Champagne UNESCO World Heritage Site that we will cross is the "Avenue de Champagne" in Epernay, the Capital of the Champagne vineyard. It is considered "the most expensive Avenue in the world" with its prestigious Champagne houses, its mansions and its 100 kilometers of cellars which hide 200 million bottles. A commented passage is planned to explain the history of its superb mansions and production buildings belonging for centuries to the Champagne Houses like Moët & Chandon, Perrier Jouët, Pol Roger, etc.