Épernay, capital of the Champagne region, is renowned for its heritage and art of living.
The prestigious Avenue de Champagne is home to a number of renowned houses. The cellars dug beneath the city house millions of bottles.
Visitors explore these galleries and taste exceptional vintages. The town center offers restaurants and stores dedicated to local specialties.
Festive events punctuate the year and celebrate Champagne. UNESCO-listed wine-growing landscapes offer unique panoramas.
Épernay attracts lovers of bubbles and cultural discoveries. This must-see destination enchants travelers in search of sparkling experiences.
Weekend in Epernay day 1: Diving into the heart of Champagne
Morning: Start with a stroll along the iconic Avenue de Champagne.
A UNESCO world heritage site. This prestigious boulevard is home to leading Champagne houses such as Moët & Chandon, Perrier-Jouët, Pol Roger and Mercier.
During your weekend in Epernay, take the opportunity to visit some of the cellars and learn more about the secrets behind the production of this emblematic beverage. Visits often include an immersion in the underground cellars, where you’ll discover how the bottles age in galleries dug into the chalk.
Remember to book your visit in advance, as some houses sell out weeks in advance!
Moët & Chandon
Address: 20 Avenue de Champagne, 51200 Épernay, France
Telephone: 03 26 51 20 20
Website: www.moet.com
Perrier-Jouët
Address: 28 Avenue de Champagne, 51200 Épernay, France
Telephone: 03 26 53 38 00
Website: www.perrier-jouet.com
Mercier
Address: 68-70 Avenue de Champagne, 51200 Épernay, France
Telephone: 03 26 51 22 22
Website: www.champagnemercier.com
Noon: Take a gourmet break in one of Épernay’s restaurants
La Grillade Gourmande
Address: 16 Rue de Reims, 51200 Épernay, France
Telephone: 03 26 55 44 22
Website: www.lagrilladegourmande.fr
Sacre Bistro
Address: 8 Place Pierre Mendès France, 51200 Épernay, France
Telephone: 03 26 32 09 54
Website: www.sacrebistro.fr
Click on this link if you’d like to see more of our favorite restaurants
Afternoon: Explore the surrounding vineyards.
Many family-run Champagne houses offer more intimate tours, with a focus on terroir and craftsmanship.
For your weekend in Epernay, opt for an electric bike ride through the vineyards, a fun and environmentally-friendly way to explore the region.
There are marked trails to help you make the most of the rolling countryside and panoramic views over the Marne valley.
Facil-e-Bike
Address: Épernay Tourist Office, 7 Avenue de Champagne, 51200 Épernay, France
Telephone: 03 26 53 33 00
Website: www.facil-e-bike.fr
Electricycle en Champagne
Website: www.epernay-tourisme.com
Evening: Dine in elegant surroundings and take an evening stroll along the Avenue de Champagne
Some Champagne bars offer evening tastings with original pairings such as Champagne and chocolate, or Champagne and exotic fruits.
See our page on the best bars in Epernay
Weekend in Epernay day 2: Nature and Champagne heritage
Morning: Start with a tour of Hautvillers
Hautvillers is a charming village just a few kilometers from Epernay. A must for a successful weekend in Epernay.
Hautvillers is famous for being the birthplace of Dom Pérignon, the Benedictine monk who played a key role in perfecting Champagne.
Stroll through its picturesque streets and admire the magnificent wrought-iron signs adorning the winegrowers’ houses. Don’t miss theAbbey of Saint-Pierre, where Dom Pérignon is laid to rest.
- Abbaye Saint-Pierre d’Hautvillers
- Address: Place de l’Église, 51160 Hautvillers, France
- Telephone: 03 26 57 06 35
- Website: www.hautvillers.fr
Noon: Picnic in the heart of the vineyards
Picnic in the vineyards with local produce or lunch at the Au 36 restaurant
- Restaurant Le 36 Hautvillers
- Address: 36 Rue Domaine Pérignon, 51160 Hautvillers
- Telephone: 03 26 51 58 37
- Website: www.au36.net
Afternoon: Cruise on the Marne River
To round off your weekend in Epernay in style, opt for a cruise on the Marne, a peaceful experience that offers another perspective on the Champagne landscape.
- Bateau Champagne Vallée
- Address: Quai de Marne, 51700 Cumières, France
- Telephone: 03 26 58 23 30
- Website: www.champagne-vallee.fr
If you’re a culture buff, visit the Musée du Vin de Champagne et d’Archéologie Régionale, which traces the history of the region.
Whether you’re a Champagne connoisseur, a heritage enthusiast or a nature lover, Épernay offers a multitude of weekend experiences. Between tastings, walks and cultural discoveries, you’ll leave with sparkling memories of your Champagne getaway!
