The three blissful days I spent in Épernay, Champagne, last week now seem like a distant memory. I had been planning this trip for a long time and I am excited to share with you my favourite hotels and wineries, as well as some interior design inspiration.
It was my first time in the Champagne region, but it won’t certainly be my last! I was surprised to learn that the journey by car took us only five and a half hours. We took the Eurotunnel to France and it was so straightforward that I regret not doing it sooner. I mean, who wouldn’t love a road trip when there’s champagne waiting for you at the end of it, am I right?
AVENUE DE CHAMPAGNE
Musee du vin
Perrier Jouet
We stayed in Épernay, only a ten-minute walk from the prestigious Avenue de Champagne. This street is like Disneyland for champagne lovers, with multiple champagne houses side by side. It’s impossible to visit them all, so it’s a good idea to narrow down your favourites or perhaps stay a bit longer. I loved all the old buildings and architecture. It was definitely a feast for the eyes as well as the mouth.
MOET ET CHANDON
Moet et Chandon Bar
Moet was one of the most famous and largest Champagne houses on the Avenue de Champagne. We went on a cellar tour and did a wine tasting and it’s definitely worth a visit, even if you’re not into wine. We even stopped by their outdoor bar for another glass of champagne and some nibbles, which I would definitely recommend adding to your to-do list. The people watching here is lots of fun!
Moet et Chandon
Moet et Chandon
The building itself is impressive, styled to perfection with touches of old-world grandeur throughout. I loved the way modern furniture had been placed in such an old building. It’s right up my street. We even saw Napoleon’s hat on display in the lounge — and yes, it was the real thing! Apparently, he was a big fan of their rosé and was quite close to the founders. The amount of history this place encompasses is just astonishing. Interestingly, the Moet et Chandon wine cellars extend up to 28 km and hold over a billion bottles of champagne. I learnt so much about champagne and French history during the tour, which made it all so worthwhile.
FAVOURITE WINERIES
We visited several wineries, focusing on smaller, lesser-known producers. De Venoge, Mercier, Beaumont des Crayères and Bliard-Labeste are just a few examples. It was nice to try something different for a change and I found the champagne delicious and underrated. Obviously, we stocked up and brought home quite a few bottles from each winery.
HOTELS
Royal Champagne Hotel
Royal Champagne Hotel
There are lots of fabulous hotels in the area, and if — or rather, when — we go back, my top two picks would be the divine Royal Champagne hotel, which is situated just 10 minutes from Épernay city centre. The view and the interior design were breathtaking and I loved the horse theme throughout. The horse and rider logo represents Napoleon and pays tribute to his impact on the region’s history. I’d say it’s the most luxurious hotel in Épernay. It’s laid-back, though, and not at all stuffy.
Royal Champagne Hotel
The flower chandelier was absolutely breathtaking! I’d love a smaller version of it in our house one day.
Hostellerie Briqueterie & Spa
Hostellerie Briqueterie & Spa
Another hotel worth visiting was the Hostellerie Briqueterie & Spa in Champagne. This charming boutique hotel has 40 newly renovated rooms. The interiors are a combination of modern coolness and old-world charm. Some of my favourite interior details were the tree wall mural and the preserved oak beams. The fine dining restaurant is also worth a visit. We enjoyed an interesting and creative tasting menu with wine pairing – perfect for a special occasion!
DAY TRIP
It’s definitely worth taking a day trip to the nearby villages. We visited Hautvillers, the birthplace of Dom Pérignon, which was an active but fun day out. We also enjoyed a wine tasting at the nearby Bliard-Labeste winery, followed by lunch (at Au 36) and a walking tour organised by Hautvillers Tourist Office. It was a truly memorable day — I couldn’t have asked for a better way to spend my birthday.
UBER/HIRING A DRIVER
We drove from the UK to Epernay, but we didn’t fancy driving to the wineries or vineyards. You can easily hire a driver for the day or use Uber. Public transport options looked pretty limited, so I think hiring a driver for a few hours or a day is definitely worth it. I also saw lots of people on e-bikes which looked fun but if you’re staying in the city centre you can access Avenue de Champagne by foot very easily.
SOUVENIRS
While I was there, I bought quite a few champagne-related items, which I might show in a separate post. We found some beautiful champagne flutes that had been specially made for one of the champagne houses, as well as some wall art. We also brought some champagne home, but I didn’t do much shopping as our main aim was to discover new champagne brands and enjoy a lovely mini break.
It took me a long time to finally visit the region, but I loved every minute of it and the convenience of getting there made it even better. We didn’t have enough time to go to Reims this time, so that will have to wait until our next trip. As you can imagine, I’m already planning to go back very soon. After all, Champagne is only a few hours away — it would be crazy not to visit more often!
