The Champagne Tourist Route

A happy conjunction of place, time, terroir and chance, the history of champagne is as prestigious as the product itself. Champagne first appeared in the Middle Ages, at a time when vines and wine were essentially the concern of religious people (wine was drunk during mass). Before 496, champagne was only known in the vicinity of Reims.

It was not until the 12th century that this drink became increasingly popular and crossed frontiers. Its taste, its finesse, the originality of its bubbles and the novelty that this wine brought enthralled the various courts where it brightened up parties and dinners. Over time, champagne became an exceptional drink used to mark major events, and was notably invited to the Universal Exhibitions of 1889 and 1900 (Paris and Brussels). Today, it accompanies many of the highlights in the lives of people all over the world.

To protect this exceptional beverage, the winegrowers of Champagne decided to establish a very precise area and production rules to protect the fruit of their labour. Thanks to this initiative, theAppellation d'Origine Contrôlée Champagne was created in 1927, protecting a vineyard whose origins date back to the beginning of our era.

For a weekend or for more than a week, the Route Touristique du Champagne offers a multitude of opportunities to visit. Winding its way through the region's vineyards and hillsides, past Champagne villages and châteaux, this route lends itself equally well to road-trips and summer cycling.

Points of interest include the Reims mountains, the Massif de Saint-Thierry and the Marne Valley. Signposted itineraries are available for tourists, and are detailed on the Tourist Office website.

Champagne-Ardenne, with its relatively harsh winters, is best discovered in summer. In July, you'll have the chance to follow the rhythm of the Route du Champagne en Fête, a convivial event organised every year in 6 villages on the Left Bank of the Aube. The beginning of autumn, however, is not unpleasant and allows you to follow the region at the pace of the grape harvest, a highlight of the year for this land of vines.

Champagne is world-famous and recognised, and is the emblem of the region, the city of Reims and the surrounding communes. From discovering the vineyards and wine-growing landscape to visiting the most famous champagne cellars (Mumm, Pommery, Taittinger...), wine tourism is a real culture in this region of France.

Most of the cellars of the major brands, as well as those of lesser repute, organise guided tours of their treasures, some of them in chalk pits. These guided tours are for groups, and it is advisable to book in advance. Don't forget to bring warm clothing for the tour, even in midsummer, as the temperature in the cellars is often around 12-13°C.