Épernay, 26 km south of Reims in the Marne département, is the undisputed world capital of Champagne production. The Avenue de Champagne stretches one kilometre through the town centre, its northern side lined with the grand 19th-century mansions and cellars of the major maisons. Direct TER trains from Reims station reach Épernay in 26 minutes (approximately €8 return; book at sncf-connect.com or buy at the station), with around eight departures daily. Épernay station lies a five-minute walk from the eastern end of the Avenue.
Moët & Chandon at 20 Avenue de Champagne is the largest and most visited house, offering guided cellar tours (from €30/person) that descend into 28 km of chalk tunnels where 100 million bottles age slowly. Perrier-Jouët, Pol Roger, and de Castellane also offer cellar tours and tastings; advance booking is strongly advised, especially at weekends and during the September harvest. The UNESCO-listed chalk cellars beneath the avenue — collectively nearly 110 km of tunnels — represent a unique geological and cultural heritage.
A practical day arc from Reims: depart on the first morning TER around 8 h, arriving Épernay by 8:30 h. A stroll along the avenue before tours open at 9:30–10 h is pleasant in itself. Pre-booked tours typically run from 10 h to noon. Lunch options include La Grillade Gourmande on rue de Reims or picnic provisions from the Thursday and Saturday morning market at Place de la République. The afternoon suits a second visit to a smaller independent producer — Champagne Janisson-Baradon on rue du Maréchal de Lattre offers an intimate family-run tasting — or a taxi to Hautvillers (8 km), the abbey village where Dom Pérignon is buried.
The Fête du Champagne in late May and the grape harvest in September and October are the most atmospheric periods. Advance booking is essential for cellar tours during both peaks.
How to get there
- TER train from Reims (26 min, €8 return)
Location
Avenue de Champagne, 51200 Épernay
49.0418, 3.9593 View on map
Highlights
- Avenue de Champagne: a UNESCO-listed kilometre of grand champagne-house mansions and chalk cellars
- Moët & Chandon cellar tour: 28 km of underground tunnels with 100 million ageing bottles
- September harvest season: vine-picking activity and open-house events across the maisons
- Perrier-Jouët and Pol Roger: smaller-scale guided cellar tours with comparative tastings
- Hautvillers abbey (8 km by taxi): burial place of Dom Pérignon in a hilltop champagne village
Tips for visiting
- Book Moët & Chandon or Perrier-Jouët cellar tours well in advance — particularly for weekend and September harvest visits
- Take the first TER from Reims at around 8 h to reach the avenue before tour queues build from 10 h
- Combine a large-house tour in the morning with a smaller independent producer tasting in the afternoon for a price and scale contrast
- The Saturday morning market at Place de la République (7:30–13 h) is ideal for picnic supplies before the tour
- Arrange a designated driver or limit tastings carefully — champagne tour samples accumulate quickly
When to visit
May for the Fête du Champagne festival and spring vineyard blossom; September and October for harvest season. Weekend visits require advance tour booking at all major houses throughout the year.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a Moët & Chandon cellar tour cost?
Standard tours start from approximately €30 per person and include a tasting; premium tours with additional bottles cost €50–€80. Book at the chandon.com website or via their Épernay boutique on the Avenue.
Is Épernay worth visiting outside the harvest season?
Yes — cellar tours run year-round (Moët & Chandon closes briefly in January for maintenance), and the avenue's architecture and tasting rooms are enjoyable in any season. Spring vineyard blossom in May is a particular attraction.
Can children visit the champagne maisons?
Children are welcome on architectural and history tours but cannot participate in tasting sessions. Most houses provide a grape-juice alternative tasting for visitors under 18.
How far is Hautvillers from Épernay?
Hautvillers is 8 km north of Épernay; the abbey church and Dom Pérignon's grave are open to visitors. A taxi from Épernay costs approximately €15–€20 one way; there is no direct bus service.
What is the best way to visit multiple champagne houses in one day?
Book one large-house tour for the morning and visit a smaller independent producer in the afternoon. Most maisons also have walk-in boutiques for direct sales without requiring a full tour booking.