
Une Escale en Champagne
Between the vineyards and the forest, Champagne is full of imposing architecture and chalky underground heritage that turns a simple stopover into a fairytale.
From the earthy scents of damp wine cellars, to the crisp napery of gilded dining rooms, France’s wine region of Champagne has many corners worthy to explore.
Known for producing a luxury liquid for hundreds of years, the sheer diversity of wine tourism is set to explode in the next decade, courtesy of some major luxury brands making concrete plans to revolutionise how to masses come to taste on their home turf.
With high speed TGV trains leaving Paris for Champagne-Ardenne every three minutes, tourists can easily can reach the region’s two major centre of Reims and Épernay from in under an hour and half. For Reims visitors can expect a 45 minutes train journey and and for Épernay one that’s just 75 minutes.
And tourism to Champagne has never been higher.

Since 2015, when UNESCO listed the cellars, hillsides and villages of Champagne as world heritage, there’s been a push to bring greater sophistication to Champagne’s offerings. Now finally modern family-owned businesses from Bollinger, Thienot and Taittinger to multi-nationals like Artemis Domaines and LVMH are investing in the kind of infrastructure that’s needed to foster better experiences.
The best time to visit is in April or in October and November when harvest is over. Still the easiest way to cover a lot of ground is book a driver to collect you at the train station in a car.
With a bit of pre planning to can indulge in château style living at Domaine Les Crayéres in Reims, or stay the newly built Royal Hotel and Day Spa in Champillon.
In Reims Taittinger has dedicated a Medieval tasting experience for tourists, while Bollinger will open a branded hotel in 2029.
Organised cellar tours at G.H Mumm, Möet and Chandon and Veuve Clicquot are brilliantly executed and perennially popular, but for true connoisseurs appointments to visit smaller grower-producers like Egly-Ouriet or Larmandier -Bernier can be pre-arranged by emailing the makers’ directly or using a tour operator.

At Maison Bollinger, Elisabeth Bollinger’s 17th century home is currently undergoing building works to celebrate the brand’s bicentenary. The extension of the cellar door will offer guests a 17-room hotel, and space for formal receptions that can welcome up to 200 guests.
“The countdown is on,” enthuses Charles Armand de Belenet, General Manager of Champagne Bollinger.

“Over the next few years Maison Bollinger plans to carry out major projects reflecting its values and history, so as to be well prepared for guests arriving for the next 200 years! Our renovation of the historic site, includes a cathedral cellar opening onto the vines, a wine tourism site offering unique experiences in the heart of the vineyards and cellars,” says de Belenet.

His plans echo the progress at Maison Ruinart in 2024 where architect Sou Fujimoto’s design of the Ruinart Pavilion is already acclaimed as a brilliant success.
In the heart of Reims the traditional cellar door has been extended with the incorporation of a dedicated tasting room, retail space and art garden which designed to host annual residencies, as part of their annual Carte Blanche residency program.
The flawless design marries the historic 19th-century façades with sleek modern glass structures, mirroring the iconic curve of the Ruinart bottle. Inside the sleek interior design by Gwenael Nicolas is a blend of organic materials like wood and stone, mixed with modern metal and glass.

Also in Reims the family-owned Champagne House Thiénot will soon reap the rewards of its ambitions when they oversee the opening of a 5,000 m² building. Located in the heart of Reims, the estate will feature an interactive champagne museum and a five-star hotel with a champagne bar and rooftop terrace.
Australian wine brand Penfold’s has been making wine with Thienot for over a decade, but in 2024 they launched the first ever non-French branded Champagne thanks to its close, long term work with the Thiénot family to find people to sell them coveted champagne grapes for their project.
“We’re not after world domination,” said Peter Gago, when talking his recent addition of Champagne to his impressive stable. “And you know, Moët and Chandon have nothing to worry about, but we’re there, doing our little thing.”
Visit the region or click through to read our guide to the Best Champagne Bars.
Subscribe to the Newsletter
Recommended for you
Here’s Where Wealthy Travellers Are Actually Headed in Greece
These four destinations show what true Greek luxury can look like, from uncrowded coastlines to mountain retreats and access to philosopher sessions.
April 24, 2026
A New Chapter at Spicers—And a Restaurant Worth the Drive
At Spicers Vineyards Estate, a renewed Restaurant Botanica shifts the focus from the room to the table—and rewards the drive.
April 15, 2026























Courtesy of Patricks
