Travel Guide

Épernay: Walking the Avenue de Champagne

The train pulls into Épernay station, and within five minutes of walking, you understand why this small town calls itself the capital of Champagne. Avenue de Champagne stretches before you like a boulevard of dreams — Moët & Chandon's iron gates, Perrier-Jouët's Belle Époque mansion, Pol Roger's discreet elegance. Beneath your feet lie 110 kilometers of crayères, chalk cellars that hold more than 200 million bottles. Above ground, the avenue feels simultaneously grand and intimate, as if designed for both emperors and Sunday strollers.

From Paris Direct train from Gare de l'Est: 1 hour 25 minutes. Trains every 2 hours. €25-35 depending on time. Best Season September during harvest, or May-June when weather is mild and cellars are comfortable to visit.
Avenue de Champagne

The world's most prestigious wine street. Start at Place de la République and walk west toward the vineyards. Each mansion tells its story through architecture — Moët's 1743 grandeur, De Castellane's 1895 tower that you can climb for vineyard views, Mercier's art nouveau flourishes. The real magic happens below ground, where 18th-century chalk mines became champagne cellars.

Free to walk. Most houses offer tours by appointment. De Castellane tower: €8, open April-October.

Moët & Chandon Cellars

Twenty-eight kilometers of galleries beneath the avenue, some dating to the Roman era. The Imperial Cellar, where Napoleon III stored his private reserve, maintains perfect 11°C temperature year-round. During the tour, you'll see riddling gyropalettes and vintage bottles from 1743, when Claude Moët first started the house.

Tours from €35. Book online. English tours daily except holidays. Duration: 90 minutes.

Église Notre-Dame

This 16th-century church witnessed Champagne's evolution from still wine to sparkling legend. Look for the champagne-themed stained glass windows installed in the 1950s — an unusual fusion of sacred and secular. The church bells still mark harvest time in September.

Free entry. Open daily 8am-6pm. Mass schedule posted at entrance.

Planning your visit? Find the champagne that matches your moment there.

Find your Champagne moment →
Épernay Underground Cellars Private Tour

Three-hour exploration of Avenue de Champagne's hidden world. Visit Moët's imperial cellars, see traditional riddling at a smaller house, and taste in 18th-century crayères. Small groups only.

C Comme 8 Avenue de Champagne

Chef Maxime Hoerth earned his Michelin star by treating Champagne as a cooking ingredient, not just an accompaniment. His langoustine with champagne sabayon shows technical precision without pretension.

La Cave à Champagne 16 Rue Gambetta

The town's most serious champagne bar, with 200 references including small growers you won't find elsewhere. Order the assiette du vigneron — local charcuterie that pairs naturally with Champagne's acidity.

Bistrot le 7 7 Rue Eugène Mercier

Unpretentious bistro where locals eat lunch. Simple dishes like quiche lorraine or coq au champagne, executed properly. Good value Champagne list focusing on regional producers.

Where to Stay

Les Berceaux — Family-run hotel where Champagne families have hosted business dinners for generations. Rooms overlook inner courtyard gardens. The restaurant serves proper regional cooking — escargots de Champagne, pork with Ratafia reduction.

Find Your Champagne

Seven questions about your evening, your mood, the company at the table — and a bottle chosen the way a sommelier would.

Find your Champagne moment
Length Seven questions · two minutes Outcome One bottle, one story