Champagne Route
“In victory, you deserve champagne. In defeat, you need it”. Winston Churchill
The Champagne Route, or Champagne Trail, refers to a stretch of vineyards in the “Champagne” area of northern France. This 250-mile trail is the home of our favourite celebratory drink, and offers plenty of opportunities to try it at source.
The champagne makers here include small, lesser-known outfits, famous independents and well-known brands swallowed up by large international groups such as Louis Vuitton Moet Hennessy. Charles Mignon House has been home to a line of crafters stretching back hundreds of years. Delavenne & Fils is a sleeker, 20th-century operation. Many of the houses are open to visitors. You can take a basic tour and tasting, or an take a miniature train first.
One downside: Apart from visiting the Champagne houses, you won’t find much to do. The area is short on historical monuments. That said, check out the cathedral at Reims and the Château d’Étoges, a magnificent 17th-century place which used to be a regular stopping point for kings of France.
Activities
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Champagne Albert Beerens, Arrentières, France
The family estate Albert Beerens has been exploring the unique champagne natural wealth in the heart of La Côte des Bar since 1862, on more than seven hectares of vineyards.
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Champagne Boizel, Epernay, France
After their marriage in 1831, Auguste Boizel and Julie Martin created their house of Champagne in 1834 which is quickly successful. Their son, Edouard, dug cellars in the mount of Bernon in Epernay where there are also the family house and the technical installations.
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Champagne Charles Mignon, Epernay, Champagne, France
The champagne Charles Mignon is a family house from a long line of wine growers of the Valley of the Marne and based in Epernay, Capital of the Champagne.
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Champagne Delavenne Père & Fils, Bouzy, France
Champagne Delavenne Père & Fils, is an independent Champagne Grower-Producers, creating exclusively Grand Cru, Natural Champagnes and Bouzy Rouge since 1920. The family's expertise has been passed down from generation to generation, safe-guarding the traditions of Champagne and the family values of their Estate.
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Champagne Lanson, Reims, France
The Lanson's House was founded in 1760 by François Delamotte, an influential character in Reims society. The joint owner, alongside his wife, of a not-insubstantial vineyard in Cumières and Ay, he decided to found his own Champagne house – one of the very first ever to exist.
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Hostellerie La Briqueterie, Vinay, France
At the heart of the vineyards of champagne, on the côteaux of the Marne, L'Hostellerie, created in 1973, is built on the location of a former brickyard, by Mr CHEVRIER (Architect of the Thatched cottages of France). Welcoming place, we come there to delight in the relaxed rhythm of life and to discover the Champagne.
