Relax and rejevenate at the 5 star Chateau de Fère
© E. Brenckle
Visit the Champagne caves and meet the local producers
© AS Flament
for nourishing vines and ripening grapes for the world’s best-loved fizz, this region produces 10% of French champagne, making it one of the best places to learn about wine-making.
Many producers – some of whom make organic champagne – open their cellar doors to visitors, the best way to sample different types of champagne glasses. In the town of Château-Thierry, Champagne Pannier runs guided tours of the medieval stone quarries that now serve as its cellars. But wherever you stop off, pick up a bottle of champagne or two to bring home to remind you of your trip.
Charming restaurants and hotels dotted along the route offer plenty of scope for other gastronomic discoveries based on regional produce. Local specialities include the pungent cheese Maroilles, complete with an indentation into which you pour champagne, and snails or salmon poached in champagne. Stand-out venues for dining and spending a peaceful night in a luxury Auberge Le Relais near Reims and the five-star Château de Fère with its Oriental spa.
Practical Information
Practical Information
