Champagne Getaway: Charming Villages and Regional Wine Cellars

Champagne Getaway

Every two seconds, a bottle of champagne is opened somewhere in the world! The very symbol of sophistication, graceful living and celebration, champagne is produced nowhere else in the world. All champagnes are made within a few miles of each other outside Reims and Epernay, near the Abbey of Saint-Pierre where the legendary Benedictine monk, Dom Pérignon, supposedly invented the bubbly by accident in the early 18th Century.

At the heart of the Champagne area, marked by French history, arts and culture, you will meet men and women, happy to share their passion, their love of the region and their knowledge. Exploring the Champagne region by bicycle is a journey rich in diversity.

Enjoy the shimmering countryside during your cycling tour between the Marne Valley and the Montagne de Reims Natural Park. The Champagne region also has a fabulous religious heritage, the Gothic Catherdral of Reims.

Welcome to Champagne!

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Highlights

• Champagne region's most charming villages
• UNESCO listed World Heritage monuments
• Champagne making process

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Learn more about self-guided tours.

Daily program

Day 1: Arrival to Reims
Participants arrive by their own means at their hotel in Reims in the afternoon. The hotel's reception will provide you with the tour package with instructions and the essentials to have a successful tour (road book, maps, tourist information).
Overnight in Reims.

Day 2: Reims – Matougues (30 miles/50 km)
After breakfast, you will leave by bike heading for Epernay via Tinqueux, going through traditional villages of the vineyards of the Montagne de Reims: Mailly Champagne, Verzenay, Bouzy, and others. Arriving at the end of the day in Matougues.
Overnight in Matougues.

Day 3: Matougues – Epernay (18 miles/30 km)
After breakfast, short and easy ride to Epernay, alongside the Marne canal. You will have time in the afternoon to discover the Capital of Champagne wines: Epernay and maybe start with some visits at of the most impressive cellars in Epernay.
Overnight in Epernay.

Day 4: Epernay – Loop ride in Marne Valley (23 miles/37 km)
Winding your way between vines and hillsides, the Champagne Trail in Marne Valley will introduce you to the rich viticultural heritage. Frequently overlooking the valley, this itinerary affords wonderful views.

Your trail snakes through the vines leading to Hautvillers, a charming village known for its Benedictine abbey. Then you will head to Cumières to stop for a lunch break for example in a restaurant sculpted in chalk. Continue to Damery, where you mustn't leave without visiting the 12th-13th century church that overlooks the village and houses a painting by Watteau of the Madonna and Child (18th century).

On the way to Venteuil, you can enjoy a view of Château de Boursault. The valley trail will take you through villages between vines, fields, and forests all the way to Reuil. Back to Epernay on the other side of the Marne.
Overnight in Epernay.

Day 5: Epernay – Loop ride in Cote de Blancs(22 miles/35 km)
Today you will visit the vineyards of The Côte des Blancs which is the homeland of the Chardonnay grape. Following Champagne Tourist Trail, descend towards Pierry –where you can visit its 18th century château, storeroom and cellars -and also Chavot-Courcourt church (12th c.), a solitary island of stone in an ocean of vines.

After Cuis and its fine Romanesque church the trail will take you close to cliffs to reach Cramant and its over-sized bottle (8.50 meters) and not far from there the small village of Avize decorated in frescoes (of which many can be found in Champagne). The brightly floral Oger is not surprisingly one of the "most beautiful villages in France."Here youu can visit a museum dedicated to traditions, love, and Champagne." Back to Epernay in the afternoon.
Overnight in Epernay.

Day 6: Epernay – Reims (22 miles/36 km)
After breakfast you will discover the national forest of Hautvillers by passing through Avenay Val d’Or, Germaine. You will then return to Reims via Ludes.
Overnight in Reims.

Day 7: Departure from Reims

Surface and terrain

The terrain is moderately hilly. It follows quiet roads for 75% of the route, and is on roads shared with traffic the remaining time. Most of the route is on asphalt vineyards roads, countryside roads, cycle paths.

Hotels

These are sample hotels and may vary based on availability*.

The accommodations on this tour are 4-star or boutique guest houses; in Matougues a family-run 3-star hotel.

Grand Hotel Continental, Reims
www.grandhotelcontinental.com

Hotel Auberge des Moissons, Matougues
www.auberge-des-moissons.com

Parva Domus (Guest house), Epernay
www.parvadomusrimaire.com

In case of unavailability of the preferred hotel, we suggest an alternative hotel of the same standard. If the same hotel category is not available, then, we try in the upper category hotel. In that last case, there will be an extra cost.

Interested in visiting other areas before or after your tour? Visit our hotels page to learn more about lodging options.

How to get there

Tour start and end
Nearest airports: Paris airports
Nearest train station: TGVChampagne/Ardenne or Reims Centre

There is a fast train (TGV) from Paris Est to Reims every two hours, on average (it takes about 1 hour). The TGV train station is outside the city center (about 8km from Reims), but there is a tramway to get to the center. Or taxi is also possible.

You will need to take a taxi from the train station TGV Champagne/Ardenne to Reims. The cost is approximately €40 per transfer. Or you can take another local train/tramway to the station Reims Centre. The first hotel is located about 5 minutes walking distance from the station Reims Centre.

Tips on getting to and from your tour

Dates

Prices

Included services

• 6 nights accommodations in 3- and 4-star boutique hotels and charming guesthouses
• Breakfasts
• Luggage transfer
• Road book, route maps, and tourist information
• On-call assistance in case of problems
• Personal welcome briefing
• Mobile App with GPS data

Bike rentals

Bikes available to be rented (in advance at the time of booking) include:

• Hybrid touring bike, 24-speed
• Electrically assisted bike*

*More about electrically-assisted bikes >

All above bike rentals will be equipped with the following at no additional charge:

• Tire repair kit (with extra inner tube)
• Pump
• Bell
• Lock
• Rear carrier (for standard saddle bags)
• Removable handlebar bag with map case

Specialty rentals:

• Tag-alongs (hooks to adult bike)
• Child carriers: Kiddy Van, capacity 2 children (maximum weight: 65 lbs/30 kg)
• Children's bikes: 20’’ (6 – 8 year old) or 24’’ (8-10 year old), gears Shimano TY22

Pedals:
The bikes will have flat pedals. If you want to bring your own pedals, please bring your own shoes and also the necessary equipment to change the pedals.

Helmets:
Helmets are included with bike rental (please reserve at time of booking). We recommend, for safety and hygiene reasons, that you bring your own bicycle helmet. Please let us know if you will be bringing your own helmet.

Bike Protection:
Bike protection can be purchased at the time of booking. You can read more about that HERE.

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