Champagne Ardenne
Wine trails in Champagne
Walking tour through vineyards in the major and famous Champagne-producing areas discovering some pleasant villages as Hautvillers or famous towns as Epernay and Reims.
Self-guided walking tour on Champagne wine trails. Independent walking holidays on Champagne vineyard trails around Epernay and Reims in Marne valley, along côte des Blancs and Montagne de Reims, famous Champagne producing areas.
Champagne!!! Behind these billions of fine bubbles, this wine of celebrations stretches a long history, the passion of men and women for their vineyards and the wines they produce, and a region full of contrasts and charm. The vineyards of the Marne Valley differ from those of the Côte des Blancs, which differ from those of the Montagne de Reims, and yet, they all produce wines of subtlety and delicacy that seduce and enchant. This hike will take you through the vineyards and villages of the Champagne region where you will discover monuments and curiosities, as well as testimonies of a long and glorious past. This journey will help you to learn about and appreciate the different vintage wines of the Champagne region in all their wonderful diversity.
SF C152ST - Wine trails in Champagne
From beginning of May to middle October
Standard walking tour - accommodation in 2-star hotels with ensuite facilities and regional specialities dinners as written in the walking tour description
Walk difficulty: Grade 2 - walks of 4 to 6 hours a Day. Some stages could be more 20 km (13/15) and rolling uplands, ascents mainly gradual than steep of up to 500 m. An average level of fitness or some experience with walking is recommended.
Highlights: Epernay, Avize, Cramant, Chatillon sur Marne, Hautvillers, Bouzy, Ambonnay, Vernezay, the « Faux » of Verzy, Reims
DAY 1 - Arrival in EPERNAY, the capital of Champagne.
Stroll through the city along the majestic "avenue de Champagne" where the world famous champagne houses are located. Visit of wine cellars. Dinner, lodging and breakfast in a 2-star hotel in the centre of the city
DAY 2 - LE MESNIL SUR OGER – EPERNAY (21 km).
Escort by taxi to Le Mesnil-sur-Oger. From here you will begin your return to Epernay following the Côte des Blancs, named as such for the hillside vineyards that produce white wine, and more specifically, Chardonnay. As you walk through the vine-covered slopes you will pass the small, charming villages of Oger, Avize, and Cramant, all of which are decorated by beautiful old churches, wash houses, and fountains. Cramant is situated on a chalk peak and gives beautiful views of the Côte des Blancs. You will continue across the southern hills of Epernay, passing the villages of Monthelon and Chavot-Courcourt, its 13th century feudal church erected on a mount outside the village. Along the hillside, overlooking the villages of Moussy and Piercy and its 18th century château, you will make your way back to Epernay - Lodging and breakfast in the same hotel
DAY 3 - CHATILLON SUR MARNE – HAUTVILLERS (22 km).
Escort by taxi to Chatillon, the birthplace of Pope Urbain II (pope from 1088 to 1099 – he began the first crusade). From here, you will descend to the River banks of the Marne, passing the Binson Priory and the Notre-Dame-des-Vignes statue. You walk along the River to the Reuil village. Make your way through the vineyards to the villages of Trincourt, Venteuil, and Arty to descend to the pretty Riverside village of Domery. This stretch will give you remarkable panoramas of the Marne Valley and the château of Boursault, situated on the opposite bank. Your walk continues through the vineyards to Hautvillers, the birthplace of champagne. The abbey that once stood on these grounds, and of which remains only the church, was the creation centre where Don Pérignon became famous for his champagne. At the end of the afternoon you will be escorted back to Epernay by taxi - Lodging and breakfast in the same hotel
DAY 4 - AY – AMBONNAY (21 km).
Escort by taxi to Ay. Ay is a historic site and one of the most famous vineyards of Champagne. You will begin your hike through the vineyards to arrive in the village of Mutigny. You will continue through the villages of Avenay-Val-d'Or, Fontaine-sur-Ay and Bouzy (famous for its red wines) before reaching Ambonnay and its 12th century church, Saint Réol - Dinner, lodging and breakfast in a 2-star hotel
DAY 5 MAILLY CHAMPAGNE – AMBONNAY (19 km).
Transfer by taxi to Mailly-Champagne. You will take off again through the vineyards; the Verzenay windmill and lighthouse stand as your points of immediate destination. The lighthouse was built as recently as the 19th century by a wine-merchant in search of fame. Moving on, you will reach Verzy and continue through the forest to admire the famous “Faux” of Verzy, an entanglement of rare beech trees. These beech trees, with a slow rate of growth and long life-span, grow in twisted, knotted patterns, their branches spreading out like a canopy. You will continue through the forest to the village of Trepail before heading back to Ambonnay - Dinner, lodging and breakfast in the same hotel
DAY 6 - LUDES – JOUY LES REIMS (21 km).
Escort by taxi to Ludes. Crossing through the vineyards, you will pass the pleasant villages of Chigny-les-Roses, and Rilly-la-Montagne. From Mont Joly, you will discover Reims. Making your way through its vineyard, you will pass by Chamery, Ecueil and its 12th century church overlooking the village, and Sacy and its 12th century church. The hike ends atop a hill near Ville-Dommange, at the Chapel Saint Lié, dedicated to a 5th century hermit. From here you will have a splendid view of the Reims region and plains that spread to the Massif de Saint Thierry. A taxi will take you to Reims - Lodging and breakfast in a 2-star hotel in the centre of Reims
DAY 7 - REIMS.
An exploration of Reims, with gothic art and champagne. The city of Reims is best known for the Cathedral of Notre Dame, a masterpiece of gothic art. It includes the Palais de Tau, which holds the treasures of the cathedral, the basilica of Saint Rémi, and the museum that now resides in the ancient royal abbey. The city centre has its own treasures to show you: a variety of monuments, such as La Porte Mars, evidence of ancient Reims. But one must not forget that Reims is a city of champagne, of great names who, grouped together in the neighbourhood of Champ-de-Mars or on the chalk hillsides of Saint Nicaise, will be glad to welcome you for a visit of the cellars and a tasting - Lodging and breakfast in the same hotel
DAY 8 - REIMS. Tour ends after breakfast.
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Price per person
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2-star hotels & 3 dinners²
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3-star hotels & 6 gourmet dinners³
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Double occupancy*
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$1159
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$1529
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Single room supplement*
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$355
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$478
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Solo walker
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$1732
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$2217
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* Prices based on 2 people walking together
²Included:
- 7 nights’ accommodation in selected 2-star hotels
- 7 breakfasts – 3 dinners
- Hotel to hotel luggage transfer along the trail.
- Taxi transfers: Epernay-Le Mesnil S/Oger, Epernay-Chatillon sur Marne, Hautvillers- Epernay, Epernay-Ay, Ambonnay-Mailly Champagne, Ambonnay-Ludes, St Lie chapel- Reims
- A set of maps (1/25 000 scale) with detailed route notes describing the trail.
- A daily itinerary together with information about facilities and places of interest along the trail.
- Emergency assistance.
Not included: Transportation fees to and from the walk area - Insurance (strongly recommended on all trips) – Transfers except those mentioned above – Drinks – Entrance fees - Additional meals – Personal expenses
³Included: Same as above except
- 7 nights’ accommodation in 2 & 3-star hotels (Day 4-5: 2-star hotel)
- 7 breakfasts – 3 gourmet dinners
Not included: Same as above
To Book or Enquire
Please call us now on +61 (0)2 9247 4233 or 04 1491 4746
Alternatively, you can Skype us about this holiday by clicking the button below.
