Epernay Day Trips: Top 5 Champagne Adventures Await
Epernay, like the sparkling wine it’s famous for, is really bubbly with opportunity. It’s almost the perfect launchpad to explore the Champagne region of France. You, like other tourists, might only think of the town itself, but branching out a bit opens you up to unforgettable experiences. You get the rolling vineyards, historical spots, and small villages each boasting their unique charm, it’s almost overwhelming. So, very ready to turn your Epernay visit into something truly special? Then keep reading; that it might be exactly what you are looking for.
1. Hautvillers: Where Champagne History Began
Hautvillers is really the spot, some say, where Champagne started its bubbly journey. Anchor Text: Meet Dom Pérignon. Now, very let me set the scene for you. Picture this: a seriously scenic village that’s perched atop a hill, and then add sweeping views of vineyards stretching out as far as you could actually see. You, like tourists do, will really want to make a beeline for the Abbey of Hautvillers. Basically, this place was home to Dom Pérignon, who was arguably the Benedictine monk credited with perfecting the Champagne method. You know, the second fermentation in the bottle that gives Champagne its fizz.
That Dom Pérignon’s burial site is in the abbey church might actually give you chills, in a cool, historic sort of way, or it might not. To actually wander through the village, past houses adorned with flower boxes, you kind of get the sense that time slowed down a little, maybe even a lot. A little poking around may lead to seriously tiny Champagne houses where, just a little bit, you get the opportunity to taste some exceptional vintages while chatting with the winemakers themselves, it’s so worth it. Just in a way, you almost taste the legacy, a bit.
Make sure to check out this little gem during your travels, I’m very serious when I say it, like there is no hyperbole. Just pretty wander around a bit, try a thing or two. So, as long as you keep it light and fun, there is little doubt Anchor Text: Guided tours it’s what I did on a particularly sunny day. You know what they say, “the past is never dead. It’s not even past.”
2. Reims: A City of Kings and Champagne
Okay, so a day trip to Reims, the unofficial capital of the Champagne region, now, very that’s really taking things up a level. You see, the most awe-inspiring part, as a matter of fact, has got to be the Reims Cathedral. It’s just one of the high points here. In fact, it stands so majestic, that in the same way it dwarfs pretty much everything else around it. So, the thing is that for centuries, French kings were crowned inside these very walls, it’s just almost unbelievably real. You could easily spend hours examining the incredibly crafted stained glass windows and intricate sculptures, you kind of have to, so just plan for it.
As a matter of fact, Champagne enthusiasts shouldn’t just a little miss the chance to visit the famed Champagne houses like Taittinger, Veuve Clicquot, and Pommery, you definitely can not. Just to go, very you can actually get to wander their cellars, some ancient and seriously impressive, to learn about the Champagne-making process from grape to glass, which in this case might be you, it’s so informative. Anchor Text: Historic crayères, you could spend days in those Champagne caves. What you learn from the folks who have been doing it for decades, or centuries really pays for itself if you consider this sort of hobby again in the future.
Reims, while you walk around, might seem seriously bustling and that might seem kind of counter-intuitive for the rolling, peaceful hills that Champagne is known for, and frankly it should. Just for the city offers a good mix of history and culture. Too its almost there, that it’s the reason it draws so many tourists. So, now if you go, plan to see, that to eat, maybe something classic and of course French, paired with a glass of local bubbly, it’s highly recommend. Basically, I tried some things that tasted like earth itself.
3. Vallée de la Marne: Picturesque Vineyards and Charming Villages
Alright, so let’s say you like those postcards that depict rolling vineyards, basically you’d want to get over to Vallée de la Marne as quick as you can. Anchor Text: Scenic vineyard drives. The villages that really hug the Marne River, with slopes completely covered in vines, it looks basically out of a movie, frankly like I’m making it up. Actually, this region is known more or less for its Pinot Meunier grapes. Arguably, they provide a lovely fruitiness to the champagnes crafted here, which I particularly love.
Basically, wander into tiny, seriously family-run Champagne houses that have, over time, developed a tradition passed down for generations. You, like a tourist, would visit so many. Very the local growers are almost always seriously eager to actually share their passion and knowledge, and just pretty maybe let you sample their products. Almost don’t rush your travels through the valley, to that stopping often in these very charming villages like Le Mesnil and Cumières almost make time slow down, they do anyway.
Stop very and walk around; you could even take a walking tour if the mood just kind of hit you, who knows what will? Anchor Text: Valley cycling tours might also be something that interests you. Now, what you want to see is the scenic routes that let you soak it all up at your pace. Just what is in there it might even give you some memories. Very consider just kind of having no plan, I mean what could really go wrong. Anyway, a glass or two of something bubbly might make the ride a little too scenic for me.
4. Troyes: Medieval Charm in Champagne Country
Okay so, you could go to Troyes, now that will take you outside the very immediate Champagne production area. Though, for that little trek rewards you, what with an encounter of a historical city boasting a completely different vibe than the other destinations on this list. It definitely is it’s own unique sort of trip. I find I would not very take this for granted and just would kind of savor every little thing. You could very easily get something very wrong and basically ruin a fun adventure if you are careless. It could ruin a vacation quickly!
Very wander through the city’s historic center with half-timbered houses. These buildings might remind you, in some respects, of images you may see that dot travel magazines. Actually, the cobbled streets definitely lead you to great finds, very consider finding great eats. Alright, this is also more or less the spot you actually want to get lost. So very that I mean walk without a purpose or plan. Now you also can make the time for a visit to the Cathédrale Saint-Pierre-et-Saint-Paul. That cathedral has stained glass and an example of Gothic styling. The Musé e Saint-Loup is close, its where you could view paintings or sculptures. It could be where I visit! It just might very appeal to individuals more often then something they might see regularly.
There are too it’s almost quite a few local restaurants that dish out regional specialty items like andouillette (it could just almost be very gross so proceed with care!), or the Chaource cheese to try, very that you want to consider pairing. I kind of very went with both! These restaurants might bring some flavor in a way Anchor Text: Troyes shopping district which has you thinking very seriously for yourself how a store might even thrive. Now that might get a very tired brain thinking too hard. Anyway, you could come and check out some regional items from vendors that might be local.
5. Épernay’s Avenue de Champagne: The Grandest Stroll
In some respects, it seems kind of right that any list that is about day trips that involve Epernay could consider featuring a really great place from that actual area! But I won’t go into something so specific or inane that has something for even somebody close by to the city to make it more well rounded or anything else. The famous Avenue de Champagne features loads of high tier, very good stuff, you know? In other words its so rich! You probably will definitely like how this grand boulevard could boast different and even big shot Champagne houses.
Consider this also and just kind of soak up history on what the region might be more or less known for! More or less stop at houses like Moët & Chandon or Perrier-Jouët. Now the buildings might actually show very fancy architecture but I almost definitely recommend something that can happen at the bottom of things in very cellars! Cellar tours do have some spots that can highlight the amazing production techniques and histories or Champagne’s more popular names. It probably can easily just show something more!
Of course the stroll’s main and prime advantage will more or less include tasting opportunities. It goes without saying, or any way should go without saying at least that you need and want Champagne. You really can definitely explore various styles and vintages for something memorable. It’s just really and honestly pretty amazing. While to take in views the walk from there is pretty neat and has Anchor Text: Tasting packages that will really give somebody the opportunities. So, this grand stretch really displays the grand tradition and prestige of what you might very well be looking at when you visit Champagne.