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The cultural wine-growing landscape of Champagne includes 320 towns and villages spread across the departments of Marne, Aube, Aisne, Haute-Marne and Seine-et-Marne.

© Michel Jolyot

Underground Europe

Champagne Hillsides, Houses, and Cellars, France

Grand Est, France

In northeast France, on cool, chalky land, lies the Champagne region—a world of vineyards, rolling hills, quaint villages and hundreds of kilometres of underground cellars. The unique method of producing this sparkling wine was developed in the early 17th century and Champagne has since become a global symbol for celebration, victory and reconciliation. The Champagne Houses are the cornerstone of the success of Champagne wines, and they offer visitors a variety of experiences, tours, and tastings.

Visitors come from around the world to see the famous Caves of the Avenue de Champagne. – © Michel Jolyot

A windmill on a hill in the Champagne Region provides one of the many photo ops during a visit here. – © Stephane Debove / Shutterstock

Vine cultivation is both a science and an art. – © Michel Jolyot

Historic hillside vineyards of Hautvillers. – © Michel Jolyot

Abbaye Saint-Pierre d'Hautvillers is the final resting place of Dom Perignon. – © Michel Guillard

Tours and tastings at the Champagne houses are a daytime affair, as evidenced by the Avenue de Champagne in Epernay at night. – © Michel Jolyot

Visitors take a step into the fruits of the wine's labour on the Orangerie Avenue de Champagne in Epernay. – © Michel Jolyot

A look into the magnificence that is the Château de Pékin (Peking Castle) at Avenue de Champagne in Epernay. – © Michel Jolyot

The famous Notre-Dame de Reims at twilight is worth a visit to the region all by itself. – © Natalia Bratslavsky / Shutterstock

The moment of truth during any holiday in Champagne: a dégustation (wine tasting) at Villa Demoiselle in Reims. – © S. Millot

Visitors come from around the world to see the famous Caves of the Avenue de Champagne. – © Michel Jolyot

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Champagne: From Terroir to Wine

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Champagne Hillsides, Houses, and Cellars, France

Hours

The Hillsides are accessible year round, day and night.

The Grand Reims, Epernay and Hautvillers tourist office websites list the opening times for the champagne houses and wineries. Some wineries are closed in winter.

Pricing

From €15 including a wine tasting session.
Group rates
Free for children under 10
Booking is recommended.

© UNESCO World Heritage Centre 2019