Known worldwide as the center of champagne production, this calm French town has cellars of prestigious houses like Moët et Chandon along its Avenue de Champagne.
Épernay, in northeastern France, is the commercial center of the Champagne wine region. Along Avenue de Champagne, you'll walk past the grand mansion of Moët & Chandon, with its 28-kilometer network of underground cellars, and the striking neo-renaissance town hall. The town's streets lead you to champagne tasting rooms, the 66-meter tower of De Castellane, and the restored 19th-century Château Perrier museum. In the surrounding countryside, vineyards stretch across rolling hills, dotted with small villages like Hautvillers, where Dom Pérignon perfected his champagne-making methods.
Getting to Épernay
You can reach Épernay by train from Paris's Gare de l'Est in 1.5 hours. The train station is centrally located, making it easy to explore the town on foot. While buses connect major towns in the region, renting a car will let you visit smaller villages and independent champagne producers at your own pace.
Exploring Avenue de Champagne
Walk along the one-kilometer Avenue de Champagne to see grand 19th-century mansions housing famous champagne producers. You'll pass Moët & Chandon, Perrier-Jouët, and Mercier, among others. Below your feet runs a vast network of chalk cellars, maintaining temperatures between 10-12°C year-round - perfect for aging champagne.
Champagne House Tours
Join a guided tour at Moët & Chandon to learn about champagne production methods and the company's history since 1743. At Mercier, take an automated train through the underground tunnels. Climb De Castellane's 66-meter tower for views across Épernay, then visit their Museum of Champagne Tradition to see historic wine-making equipment.
Historical Buildings
Walk to the neo-renaissance Town Hall at the western end of Avenue de Champagne, built with funds from the Auban-Moët family after World War I. Visit the restored Château Perrier, now a museum displaying artifacts from the region's wine-making past. Stop by the Portail Saint-Martin, built in 1540 - the last remaining structure from the Abbey of Saint-Martin.
Day Trip to Hautvillers
Drive 10 minutes or cycle 30 minutes north to Hautvillers, where you can visit the Abbey of Saint-Pierre. Inside, you'll find the tomb of Dom Pérignon, the 17th-century monk who developed key champagne-making techniques. The village's narrow streets wind past small champagne producers who welcome visitors for tastings.
Food and Wine
Try local dishes made with vegetables from the Marne Valley, paired with champagne from nearby producers. Learn about the three main grape varieties used in champagne: Pinot Noir adds body, Pinot Meunier brings fruitiness, and Chardonnay contributes elegance to the wine. Many champagne houses offer guided tastings where you can compare different styles and vintages.
