WHAT TO DO IN EPERNAY, IDEAS FOR VISITS IN CHAMPAGNE

The capital of Champagne, the city of Épernay is known worldwide for its great champagne houses that follow one another along its famous Avenue de Champagne. Dug into the chalk, the prestigious cellars of Épernay can be visited.

Epernay stands out as the ideal city for a stay or a stopover in Champagne. Its central location makes it a strategic starting point for exploring the region. Epernay offers great ease of travel, whether on foot, by bike or by train. You can wander around the city at leisure, visit the renowned champagne houses such as Moët & Chandon, Perrier-Jouët, De Castellane… and enjoy the best local restaurants that we have selected for you. If you want to venture further, Epernay train station is directly connected to Reims. You can therefore spend a day in the city of coronations to explore its emblematic monuments. Paris is also accessible by train in 1 hour 20 minutes from Epernay station located 2 kilometers from the cottage.

In addition to its advantageous location, Epernay seduces with its charm and its sparkling atmosphere. The city is steeped in a rich cultural and architectural heritage, the Marne borders the capital of Champagne, thus offering some of the most pleasant bike rides in the region.

Epernay embodies the quintessence of Champagne hospitality and offers a memorable experience for Champagne lovers and travelers wishing to discover this region emblematic of the French art of living.

The Champagne tourist route

The Marne in Champagne is the leading French department producing champagne. Its various vineyards, which are theThe Montagne de Reims, the Côte des Blancs, the Marne Valley and the Saint-Thierry massif have something to enchant enthusiasts. In Verzenay, in the vineyard of the Montagne de Reims, the Vine Museum allows you to learn more about the Champagne vineyard.

Address : Rue du Phare, 51360 Verzenay
Phone : 03 26 07 87 87
https://www.phare-verzenay.com/

Fully signposted and punctuated with labeled cellars, the The Champagne Tourist Route , made up of five circuits (Côte des Bar, Côte des Blancs, Massif de Saint-Thierry, Montagne de Reims and Vallée de la Marne), with over 500 kilometres of routes crisscrossing the departments of Aisne (Picardy region), Aube and Marne, is ideal for exploring the Champagne heritage.

Hautvillers

Located in the heart of the Montagne de Reims vineyards, the village of Hautvillers is the birthplace of champagne. It was here, in the former Benedictine abbey of Hautvillers, that the monk and cellarer Dom Pérignon discovered the method of making champagne in the 18th century. Dom Pérignon's tomb now lies in the choir of the Saint-Sindulphe abbey church. Hautvillers is also a charming wine-growing village with houses decorated with pretty wrought iron signs.

Hautvillers Tourist Office.
Address : 10 Pl.
Phone : 03 26 57 06 35
https://www.tourism-hautvillers.com/

The Fakes of Verzy

The Verzy forest, located in the Montagne de Reims Regional Natural Park , is home to twisted beech trees, the Faux, with unusual shapes to say the least. Steeped in mystery, these protected trees, particularly fragile, can be discovered by following the designated path.

https://verzy.fr/les-faux

Champagne Wine and Regional Archaeology Museum in Epernay

Located on Avenue de Champagne, a prestigious thoroughfare in Epernay, theThe Champagne Wine and Regional Archaeology Museum tells the story of the Champagne region, from the formation of its soil several million years ago to the present day.

It brings together collections of international scope at the heart of a modern and interactive scenography adapted to all audiences.

Address : 13 Av. de Champagne, 51200 Épernay
Phone :03 26 55 03 56
https://archeochampagne.epernay.fr/

Pressoria

As a couple, with friends, with family, in a group, come and experience a sensory journey to the heart of Champagne. PRESSORIAoffers you the opportunity to discover Champagne in a fun and interactive way. Your 5 senses will be awakened to learn everything about Champagne and its famous wine.
A fun, interactive and sensory journey
Experience for all audiences from beginners to connoisseurs.

Address : 11 Bd Pierre Cheval, 51160 Aÿ-Champagne
Phone :03 26 77 98 77
https://pressoria.com/

The shellfish cellar

The Shell Cave is an exceptional fossil site under the vines, teeming with shells tens of millions of years old. Well known in the world of paleontology, it fascinates for the remarkable preservation of its shells and the presence of a giant gastropod (40 to 60 centimeters).
A guided tour of the galleries immerses you in the discovery of the marine environment of yesteryear and a tasting of the property's champagne rounds off your visit.

Address : 41 Rue du Bourg de Vesle, 51480 Fleury-la-Rivière
Phone : 03 26 58 36 43
https://www.geologie-oenologie.fr/

Reims Cathedral

Notre-Dame de Reims is one of the major achievements of Gothic art in Europe. Inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List, this 13th-century cathedral has features that make it unique, particularly its unity of style, its luminosity and its statuary.

Regalia sound and light show

· May : Saturdays 20, 27 and Sundays 21 and 28 at 10:45 p.m.

· June : Saturdays 10, 17, 24 and Sundays 4, 11, 18, 25 at 10:45 p.m.

· July : every Saturday and Sunday at 10:45 p.m.

· August : every Saturday and Sunday at 10:45 p.m. (except 12th and 13th at 11 p.m.)

Find out more: https://www.cathedrale-reims.fr/

Restaurants in Epernay

Epernay is a small town of 25,000 inhabitants. As the capital of Champagne, there are some good restaurants there. Please note: it is necessary to book in advance of your stay because the restaurants are very busy on weekends and it is often difficult to get a table at the last minute.

We will send you our recommendations by email.

Market days in Epernay

Wednesday morning:at the Halle Saint-Thibault (food market: fishmonger, butcher-delicatessen, fruits and vegetables).

Saturday morning: big weekly market at the Halle Saint-Thibault (food market). Big market for food.

Sunday morning, Place Auban-Moët, (rotisserie, fruits and vegetables, delicatessen, fishmonger, florist, etc.).

TOURIST OFFICES/ TOURISM OFFICE EPERNAY

Epernay Tourist Office

https://www.epernay-tourisme.com

Address : 7 Av. de Champagne, 51200 Épernay

Phone: 03 26 53 33 00

Reims Tourist Office

https://www.reims-tourisme.com

Address : 6 Rue Rockefeller, 51100 Reims

Phone : 03 26 77 45 00

TOURISM DEVELOPMENT AGENCY

https://www.tourisme-en-champagne.com

MOVE

BY TRAIN:

The train station in the city center of Epernay is a 20-minute walk from the cottage.
ÉPERNAY/REIMS CENTER BY TRAIN: journey time approximately 35 minutes.

https://www.sncf-connect.com

TAXI

• Agil taxi 03 26 59 01 44/www.agiltaxi.fr
• Groom Epernay: 06 03 31 27 15 / www.groomepernay-vtc.com
• ABC TAXI: 06 30 81 59 68/ abctaxi-champagne.fr

BICYCLE RENTALS

• EASY BIKE-EPERNAY. contact@facil-e-bike.fr
  Rental delivered: 06 73 43 06 83
  Rental at the Epernay Tourist Office: 06 72 11 61 70
  https://www.facil-e-bike.fr/location.html
• BIKE ENERGY-EPERNAY
  06.71.29.16.69
  contact@bikeenergy.com
  https://www.bikeenergy.com/
• ADVENTURE BUBBLE - AY
  06 87 31 35 74
  https://www.facebook.com/people/Bulle-dAventure/100064191753450/

WALKS AND CYCLING - BELT PATH CIRCUIT ABOVE THE GITE.

To enjoy a panoramic view of the city of Épernay, the walk takes the ring road. This old road overlooks the city and runs along the forest. The climb is steep but the reward is great. The path runs between vineyards and houses, between gardens and cabins. Circuit created by the urban community of Épernay, Coteaux et Plaine de Champagne.

BY BIKE: JOIN THE GREENWAY ALONG THE BANKS OF THE MARNE

The valley cycle routecrisscrosses 45km of the Champagne vineyards, listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, to discover the riches of the Marne Valley and the Montagne de Reims Regional Natural Park.
Crossing landscapes listed as UNESCO World Heritage Sites, flirting with the Montagne de Reims Regional Natural Park, the V 52 greenway along the Canal lateral to the Marne offers a landscape expertly worked by the hand of man who has shaped the plots and hillsides. Exploring this unique universe by bike is the best solution for meeting heritage, nature and people.

Along this route, don't hesitate to explore the attractions of the towns bordering your journey, or even enjoy a break in one of the many picnic areas.

The Marne Valley Cycle Route is located on national route no. 52 from Paris – Strasbourg.

Photo credits Epernay Tourist Office