First thing’s first: Champagne, the wine, is only “Champagne” if it’s from the Champagne region of France. Any sparkling wine made outside of the Champagne region is not Champagne, legally speaking.
This has been a public service announcement from those who want you to make as few French faux pas as possible while drinking your way through France.
Now, let’s pop some bottles and let your cup runneth over with everything you need to know to explore the Champagne region of France.
Image Credit: Getty Images, Fandrade. Image Location: Épernay, Marne, France
Champagne, uncorked: letting flow your need-to-knows
What is the best time of the year to visit the Champagne region?
Check the time and you’ll find it’s wine o’clock year-round in Champagne. Summertime was made for sipping as it’s the best weather for drinking in the scenery. Those who want to learn about the growing process should watch the vine-growing cycle begin anew in spring, while autumn brings peak ripeness, harvest, and the Champagne et Vous Festival. Winter, while marking the end of the harvest season, still comes alive with Christmas markets and the celebration of St. Vincent’s feast day.
What are the 4 villages of Champagne?
Champagne is a region of France located approximately 75 miles northeast of Paris, give or take a bubble. There are over 300 villages grouped into 17 areas of the Champagne region, but you need only remember four terroirs (a place with unique geographical conditions that impact the taste of the Champagne produced there):
- La Côte des Blancs
- La Montagne de Reims
- La Vallée de la Marne
- La Côte des Bar
If your Champagne doesn’t come from one of these terroirs, it ain’t Champagne, folks.
Image Credit: Getty Images, titoslack. Image Location: Épernay, Marne, France
What is the most famous Champagne village?
Épernay in the Marne department is often called the capital of the Champagne region for its many famous Champagne houses. Champagne houses in Épernay include Moët et Chandon and Champagne Mercier. You can reach Épernay station from Reims Maison Blanche in as little as 20 minutes.
How do you get around Champagne without a car?
The good news is that you can explore many villages by foot (or cycle, if that’s your party trick, but we wouldn’t recommend it). The great news is that getting around Champagne by train means fewer wobbly footsteps and you can BYOC to drink on many French trains—but maybe save that bottle of Dom Pérignon for a different occasion.
Image Credit: Getty Images, Pakin Songmor. Image Location: Montagne de Reims, Marne, France
A tasting of Champagne's four terroirs
La Montagne de Reims
La Montagne de Reims is where you’ll find the city of Reims, a starting point for many Champagne visitors. Reims itself is worth delaying your departure; sobering moments can be found within the beautiful Reims Cathedral and Basilique Saint-Remi.
La Côte des Blancs
Six Grand Cru villages call La Côte des Blancs home. Before you get to the bottom of a Champagne glass in villages like Oger, stop at the Champagne Museum in Mesnil-sur-Oger.
La Vallée de la Marne
Épernay isn’t the only village in La Vallée de la Marne, though you won’t have trouble filling your luggage with bottles from its renowned Champagne houses. We also recommend stopping in villages like Dormans where a World War I memorial rests.
La Côte des Bar
Wandering the French countryside hand-in-hand with your beau, that’s what La Côte des Bar is all about. Walk between the villages, spotting traditional stone huts called cadoles built during medieval times.
Image Credit: Getty Images, Karl Hendon. Image Location: Cuchery, Marne, France
Blame it on the champagne: other indulgent day trips from Paris
So, you’ve drunk your way through Champagne. You’re red-faced, giggly, and dying to taste more drinks from the refined wine bar that is France. Imbibe with ease with these other day trips from Paris:
- For Bourgogne and Crème de Cassis: Paris Gare de Lyon to Dijon Ville | 1h 45m
- For Bordeaux: Paris Austerlitz to Bordeaux St-Jean | 2h 40m
- For Chartreuse: Paris Gare de Lyon to Grenoble | 3h
- For Cognac: Paris Austerlitz to Cognac | 4h
- For Armagnac: Paris Montparnasse to Mont-de-Marsan | 4h
Let us hook you up with this dreamy designated driver. Download the Trainline app to purchase train tickets. And it you're looking for more French wine regions to visit, why not check out our guides to 9 of the most famous wine regions in France and Bordeaux?
Header Image Credit: Getty Images, courtneyk