Gold Champagne Experience from Reims (Private Full day tour)
Description
Discovery of the most famous Grand Cru and Premier Cru vineyards and villages of Champagne around Epernay : The "Côte des Blancs" famous for its Chardonnay and the "Marne Valley" and its historic hillsides listed as World Heritage Site by UNESCO predominantly planted with Pinot Noir. In Hautvillers, called the “Cradle of Champagne”, guided tour of the Church of Dom Pérignon and the vineyard. Discovery of the famous village and Grand Cru vineyard of Aÿ-Champagne. Pause at the most beautiful viewpoints of Champagne and gain more understanding of vineyard management. Discovery tour in the "Côte des Blancs" Grand Cru. Visit the production sites of two families of independent growers followed by tastings of 6 Champagnes Grand Cru/Premier Cru, as well as the essential Champagne alcohols and aperitifs. Commented passage through the "Avenue de Champagne" in Epernay, called "the most expensive Avenue in the World". Convivial Champagne lunch (a bootle for 2 persons).
Tour Options
Itinerary
During the journey between Reims and Epernay, you will also discover the "Montagne de Reims" and its superb forest to cross to reach the famous vineyards near Epernay, the Capital of the Champagne vineyards.
In Hautvillers, village called the “Cradle of Champagne”, enjoy a private tour of the Church where the grave of Dom Pérignon, known as the spiritual father of Champagne, is. We will tell you his story and you will finally know whether or not he is the inventor of Champagne !
In Hautvillers, we will also stop in the historical hillsides of Champagne listed as Word Heritage Site by Unesco to enjoy the magnificent panorama of Champagne overlooking the Marne Valley, the place where Dom Pérignon carried out his experiments in winemaking. It is the ideal place in the heart of the vineyards to take unforgettable photos of you and this breathtaking landscape. We will visit the first of the 2 families of independent producers/growers that you will discover during this day with explanations of the champagne production process, visit of the presses, wineries and cellars. You will taste there, during a commented tasting, 3 different Premier Cru Champagnes*. *depending on the season and availability, this visit/tastings may take place in a village of the "Côte des Blancs" or in Aÿ-Champagne.
Another must-see Champagne UNESCO World Heritage Site that we will cross is the "Avenue de Champagne" in Epernay, the Capital of the Champagne vineyard. It is considered "the most expensive Avenue in the world" with its prestigious Champagne houses, its mansions and its 100 kilometers of cellars which hide 200 million bottles. A commented passage of the very famous Avenue de Champagne is planned to explain the history of its superb mansions and production buildings belonging for centuries to the Champagne Houses like Moët & Chandon, Perrier Jouët, Pol Roger, etc.
During your discovery tour in the "Côte des Blancs", we will go through Cramant which is one of the famous villages Grand cru located south of Epernay. This area in Champagne is called the "Kingdom of Chardonnay Grand Cru". For lunch, we have selected for you Champagne and dining bars appreciated by the locals in order to share this convivial moment. * On the menu, to accompany your glasses of Champagne (a bottle for 2 persons) for example : gourmet platters of charcuterie and cheese with bread and salad, ready-made farm meals, pâtés, regional biscuits and coffee. When booking your tour, please inform us if you have food allergies or have any dietary requirements. *Depending on the day of the tour, the lunch location may vary.
Oger is another renowned Grand Cru village in "Côte des Blancs" with famous "Blanc de Blancs" 100% Chardonnay Grand Cru. This is where we will visit one of the 2 families of independent producers/growers of the day with other explanations on the Champagne making process, visit to the presses, wineries and cellars. You will choose 3 100% Grand Cru Champagnes to discover different "Blanc de Blancs" with tasting advice such as natural Champagne without dosage, extra brut, from old vines, vintage or even aged in oak barrels. We will also pass through other famous villages such as Chouilly and Avize, in front of the largest bottles factory and near the famous "Chateau de Saran", the ultra private property where the luxury LVMH group (who owns Moët & Chandon, Dom Pérignon, Veuve Clicquot, Ruinart, Krug ...) receives its biggest customers and VIPs as well as the "Montaigu site" dedicated to the champagne making of Moët & Chandon.
We will also pass through the Premier Cru village of Mareuil-sur-Aÿ in the Marne Valley with its historic hillsides listed as well as World Heritage Site by Unesco and mainly planted with Pinot Noir. This is the village where more confidential Champagne Houses are located : Champagne Billecart-Salmon and Philipponnat.
You will discover also the famous village of Aÿ-Champagne, its hillsides listed as World Heritage Site by UNESCO and its famous Grand Cru vineyards. Do you know that the village of Aÿ-Champagne was the main center of the Champagne industry in the 16th century and still has a very special place ? The kings of France had their own presses there and the wines of Champagne were formerly called "Wines of Aÿ". You will discover a part of this historic village and its famous vineyard mainly planted with Pinot noir where we will tell you about the work of the vines, the grape varieties, this exceptional Terroir, sustainable viticulture... We will also stop in front of the headquarters of famous Champagne Houses of Aÿ such as Bollinger, Deutz, Ayala... During the day, in addition to the Champagnes, you will taste the 3 essential Champagne alcohols and aperitifs : Ratafia, Fine de la Marne and Marc de Champagne from the Goyard Distillery which is the oldest in Champagne.
Highlights
What's included
Pickup Locations & Times
Viator gives you a list of pick ups, please check that your place is in the perimeter of 6kms (3.7 miles) around Reims. If it is not, we will not be able to pick you up at this place. In case of any doubt, you can contact us before to book. Depending on the weather/season and the number of people in your group, we will choose the most suitable vehicle from our fleet of different cars : Electric E-Mehari Jeep car, Premium Van and Minivans. Our Electric red E-Meharis are crossovers, if you have difficulty getting into slightly raised vehicles tell us.
Traveller Ratings
Important Information
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Reviews(8)
My husband and I did the private and all day tour. Right from the moment we met with Isabelle it felt like we had met a friend. Her knowledge is amazing of the region and history of Champaign. You are taken around by a tour guide, but a friend who is welcoming you to the region. We will come back not as tourist but as friends and enjoy a few chilled bottle of the finest.
Thank you so much for your wonderful review! I am truly delighted to hear that your private full-day tour was such a memorable experience. The feeling was absolutely mutual—I truly loved spending time with you both and sharing this special day together. I sincerely hope to see you again soon in Champagne, this time to enjoy a few chilled bottles as friends 🥂 Kind regards, Isabelle
My partner and I recently spent a day exploring the Champagne region outside of Reims with Isabelle, and it was the absolute highlight of our trip. Isabelle is a true professional who delivered an expertly planned itinerary that felt both high-end and incredibly relaxing. What set this tour apart was the perfect balance of history and local culture. Isabelle provided deep, knowledgeable commentary on the region’s past and the technicalities of champagne making, making the science behind the bubbles just as engaging as the tasting itself. She customized the day specifically for us—we saw the major sites briefly but spent most of our time at off-the-beaten-path stops that we never would have found on our own. A particular highlight was the lunch at a seemingly hidden restaurant; it was delicious, and a welcome break from the typical tourist crowds. We also loved the stops at various vantage points that offered stunning panoramic views of the vineyards. If you are looking for a high-quality, personalized, and stress-free experience in Champagne, I cannot recommend Isabelle highly enough.
Thank you so much for your kind words — it truly means a lot. It was an absolute pleasure spending the day with you both and sharing my passion for Champagne. I’m so glad you enjoyed the balance between history, culture and tasting, as well as the more hidden places we explored together. Creating a personalized and relaxed experience is exactly what I aim for, so your feedback is incredibly rewarding. I hope to welcome you again one day for another Champagne experiences ! Warm regards, Isabelle
The guide was amazing. The process was clearly explained, and it left us with great memories about the culture and history we discovered during the tour.
Thank you for this 5-star review and we are delighted that you enjoyed this private day visiting the most famous villages and vineyards of Champagne around Epernay with us, learning to taste and recognize the richness of its Champagnes. You will keep unforgettable memories of your experiences in Champagne!
The tour guide tour is local, borned in Epernay and knows everything about each piece of Champagne. Congrats
Thank you for your 5 star review, what a lovely private day we had together! Now you know the best of Champagne and when you return home you will taste your next Champagne with all the necessary knowledge to be able to appreciate all their diversity and specificities. Looking forward to living other sparkling experiences!
The Ay Champagne tour was a highlight of my two weeklong France adventure. Isabelle is extremely knowledgeable, and I learned so much during the full day tour. I did the “Gold Champagne Experience” and I cannot recommend it highly enough. In addition, with Isabelle’s connections and growing up in Ay I had the rare opportunity to view a disgorgement; such a prospect would be impossible with any other tour company. I won’t spoil anymore of the tour and experience but after the tour and tasting top notch champagnes, I can confidently understand a champagne label. To pass on this experience is your lost.
What a beautiful day we spent together, it was indeed very special in your charming company, it was a pleasure to make you become experts in Champagne ! I hope to see you again for new unforgettable experiences discovering the best of Champagne with my company. Cheers ! Isabelle
Came to Champagne for my wife's birthday with our adult kids. Hade a beautiful day with Isabelle learning a lot about not only the drink but also the area and its historia. Highly recommended!
We actually have a very beautiful day together discovering the most famous villages and vineyards of Champagne around Epernay and its independent wine growers producing in the best Terroirs. I have very good memories of your family, we look forward to seeing you again to live new sparkling experiences !
I highly recommend this tour. Our guide, Matisse, was very knowledgeable, we learned a lot, but he also made the day very fun and relaxing. We saw quite a bit of the area, toured two different small houses as they were doing presses, had tastings at each location, and ended by tasting Champagne spirits. The tour was not inexpensive but it was totally worth it. A highlight of our trip.
Thank you for your message! You have been lucky to see Champagne during harvest with Matthis, we are happy to read that you liked the experience and that he made you spend a great day. See you next year for the next harvest !
We had an amazing time with Nina! She was very knowledgeable about winemaking and production of champagne. The lunch spot was delicious- definitely recommend the duck (we weren’t sure at first but you won’t regret it!) She took us to see beautiful viewpoints and we got great photos.
Champagne has no more secrets for you and with your superb photos in the heart of the vineyards this day will remain unforgettable !
