Proper first world problem I know 😖
MrsSB fancies a bit of a road trip around the champagne region for a few days at the end of September and I've been tasked with doing some research 🙄
Anybody here been there done that and have any pointers they'd like to share?
Yes think I've done a bit (all trips fuse together).
Only thing I remember is it was pretty lifeless especially on Sundays.
We stayed somewhere near Épernay. Will check. Only thought I would consider why not extend further down where the weather gets a bit better towards Beaune/Burgundy.
I mean, all rural France has a certain pleasant tranquil feeling but also a bit 'merge-into-one' experience.
It's quite a way down but I like the area around Mâcon. Certainly some good hotels.
Went to Cognac a couple of years ago too and again was very nice but there was nothing that really singled out.
We stayed 3 nights in an amazing place on the Avenue De Champagne in Epernay last year for our 30th anniversary. We only drove out one day to where champagne was allegedly invented (tho we've been in the area a few times before so didn't feel the need to drive to more vineyards).
Tbh honest there's plenty of tastings and champagne houses to tour around in Epernay, and good eating places. You can easily amuse yourself for a few days just in Epernay, on foot.
Yes, but by boat. Going from Paris to Epernay over 5 days or so. Stopping at (in no particular order) Chateau-Thierry, Maux and others that’s I’ve not forgotten in a champagne haze. It was a bloody brilliant trip, and would highly recommend. The stops on the way (e.g. Pannier) were better than actually getting to Epernay. Not necessarily suggesting you try and use a boat (but you should) but doing a point to point tour was really good
I like the idea of moving around a bit and not just staying in the champagne region - open to other location suggestions!
Pre COVID My Aunt and Uncle went once a year.
They drove and stayed in Rouen, before visiting their favourite champagne house and lounging about.
They are in Edinburgh, so it was quite the drive.
Christmastime time drinks at their house are always a treat
I'd stay in Reims personally. Plenty of bars and restaurants, nice park, great cathedral.
All of the cellar tours are good really, Mercier, Bollinger and Ruinart were always pretty good, although been a while since I was out there. Moet worth seeing for the scale, about 20 miles of cellars in the chalk, and as the biggest their tours were always really slick (which may or may not be what you're looking for).
Like most of the wine regions, they are just farmers, lots of planted land, not a huge amount to see or do outside of the big three centres. For the most part, lots of shuttered properties with seemingly nobody about. If you drive around though, some nice little spots to stop for lunch, Hautvillers, Verzenay and so on. The roads are lovely if you're taking a road bike...
I really, really like Troyes too - definitely worth a visit for a day or two.
