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Any suggestions for visiting the Champagne area of northern France?

Question

We are researching an article for the next Expat Time magazine and would like recommendations for accommodation, restaurants and Champagne houses in the Reims region. Thanks!

Hercule Poirot

Hello,
The most famous champagne houses are in Epernay, and you can visit their "caves". For hotels and restaurants, you shall find the best adresses in the Michelin guide.

Jan 17, 2014 14:31
Jenn

We stayed in Reims (I think at the Holiday Inn) and then took the train to Epernay. Reims definitely has more by way of restaurants and sights outside of the Champagne Houses and taking the train avoided having to get into a car after tasting.

Moet & Chandon was a great tour. Mercier was not worth it.

Jan 17, 2014 17:09
kasseistamper

I'm familiar with both Reims and Epernay and I would endorse the recommendation of staying in Reims - the two are less than 30 kms apart but Reims is almost 10 times bigger. Frankly, apart from the Champagne Houses, Epernay has nothing to recommend it whereas there is much to see and do in Reims.

Jan 18, 2014 10:31
Nan

Here is some (rather long information) on tours and hotels. The first tour is my favorite small champagne house, and the second is good large champagne house tour.

Champagne Tour-
Champagne LAUNOIS Père et Fils
2, Avenue Eugène Guillaume
B.P. 7
51190 LE MESNIL-SUR-OGER - FRANCE
Tél. 03 26 57 50 15
(my favorite tour)

History :
The family house founded in 1872 in Mesnil-sur-Oger, House Launois Pere et Fils has remained faithful to traditions of Champagne growers. Our Field is located in the heart of the prestigious Côte des Blancs, the Kingdom of Chardonnay is a vineyard classified 100% in the scale of the Grands Crus.

With a knowledge passed from father to son and daughter for 8 generations, and Champagne LAUNOIS has developed a passion with champagne of outstanding quality.

All the grapes are picked with great care in our area and gently pressed in our presses. We also mastered all stages of winemaking to the development of this wonderful drink that is the Champagne.

Champagne tour:
Champagne Mercier
75 Avenue de Champagne, 51200 Épernay, France
03 26 51 20 00

Hotel:
Chateau d'Etoges
4 rue Richebourg - 51270 Etoges - France
Tél (00.33) 03 26 59 30 08 - fax : 03 26 59 35 57
History:
Built at the beginning of the 17th century by the Counts of Anglure, the Chateau was a staging post for French monarchs whilst on progress to their eastern dominions.

Louis XIV, the Sun King, was astonished by the sparkling fountains you will see in the miniature lakes in the grounds of the Chateau.

The unfortunate Louis XVI also stayed here, the country seat of his First Gentleman of the Bedchamber, Claude de Chamilly, during his flight to Varennes in 1791.

Following the French Revolution, Etoges passed into the hands of the wife of Marshal Lannes who played hostess to the Court of the Emperor Napoleon.

Today, the family that has owned Etoges for over a century is delighted to continue the Chateau’s tradition of offering a royal welcome to honoured guests.

The village of Etoges, in past times an important posting-house, lies on the main road from Paris to Strasbourg. The tombs of the Lords of Etoges are to be found in the 12th century church, which was completed together with a fine Renaissance portal in the 15th and 16th centuries. As befits a village of winemakers and vineyards, the famous “Cote des Blancs” is close at hand.

The rooms are okay and probrably overpriced, but still it was a wonderful experience!

Dinner:
The Orangerie at the hotel. The food was magnificent.

Jan 20, 2014 08:21
Nan

Here is some (rather long information) on tours and hotels. The first tour is my favorite small champagne house, and the second is good large champagne house tour.

Champagne Tour-
Champagne LAUNOIS Père et Fils
2, Avenue Eugène Guillaume
B.P. 7
51190 LE MESNIL-SUR-OGER - FRANCE
Tél. 03 26 57 50 15
(my favorite tour)

History :
The family house founded in 1872 in Mesnil-sur-Oger, House Launois Pere et Fils has remained faithful to traditions of Champagne growers. Our Field is located in the heart of the prestigious Côte des Blancs, the Kingdom of Chardonnay is a vineyard classified 100% in the scale of the Grands Crus.

With a knowledge passed from father to son and daughter for 8 generations, and Champagne LAUNOIS has developed a passion with champagne of outstanding quality.

All the grapes are picked with great care in our area and gently pressed in our presses. We also mastered all stages of winemaking to the development of this wonderful drink that is the Champagne.

Champagne tour:
Champagne Mercier
75 Avenue de Champagne, 51200 Épernay, France
03 26 51 20 00

Hotel:
Chateau d'Etoges
4 rue Richebourg - 51270 Etoges - France
Tél (00.33) 03 26 59 30 08 - fax : 03 26 59 35 57
History:
Built at the beginning of the 17th century by the Counts of Anglure, the Chateau was a staging post for French monarchs whilst on progress to their eastern dominions.

Louis XIV, the Sun King, was astonished by the sparkling fountains you will see in the miniature lakes in the grounds of the Chateau.

The unfortunate Louis XVI also stayed here, the country seat of his First Gentleman of the Bedchamber, Claude de Chamilly, during his flight to Varennes in 1791.

Following the French Revolution, Etoges passed into the hands of the wife of Marshal Lannes who played hostess to the Court of the Emperor Napoleon.

Today, the family that has owned Etoges for over a century is delighted to continue the Chateau’s tradition of offering a royal welcome to honoured guests.

The village of Etoges, in past times an important posting-house, lies on the main road from Paris to Strasbourg. The tombs of the Lords of Etoges are to be found in the 12th century church, which was completed together with a fine Renaissance portal in the 15th and 16th centuries. As befits a village of winemakers and vineyards, the famous “Cote des Blancs” is close at hand.

The rooms are okay and probrably overpriced, but still it was a wonderful experience!

Dinner:
The Orangerie at the hotel. The food was magnificent.

Jan 20, 2014 08:22
Sarah Crew

Thanks for all your replies. Much appreciated. I'll post the eventual article after publication. And hopefully I'll make my own way to region this year and of course report back! Cheers Sarah

Jan 20, 2014 12:49