Walking The Vineyards of Champagne

New

5 Days from

USD 1,799

incl. Taxes

Walking & Trekking

Ways to Travel :

Self-Guided Holidays

Activity :

Walking & Trekking

Activity Levels :

2 out of 7 - Leisurely / Moderate

Trip Code :

W04CH

Explore the Champagne wine-growing area, listed as a World Heritage site by UNESCO, and the stunning villages, birthplace of Champagne, which owes its renown to Dom Perignon.

Known around the world for its wines, Champagne is also a popular destination for walking, offering an ideal playground. Walk among the vineyards and terraced hillsides where Champagne villages, chateaux, and churches are nestled. Enjoy panoramic viewpoints overlooking the vineyards and picturesque villages. The winemakers' open their doors to you, for tastings and tours of the cellars. They will passionately explain their know-how while showing you around their property.

During this tour, explore and taste every day what is hidden behind the bubbles that help us toast good news. Pop the cork and let the bubbles speak for themselves.

Highlights

Explore Epernay, capital of Champagne with its magnificent mansions and ancient wine cellars
Discover the vineyards and historic wine villages producing world-renowned Champagne
Relax in a 3-star Boutique hotel with colourful contemporary urban style, in the heart of Epernay

Key Information

4 nights single-centre in a 3-star hotel
Management by your local Headwater-appointed agent

Countries visited: France

What's Included

All Breakfasts
Walking transfers
Route Directions and maps

What's Not Included

Travel insurance
Visas & vaccinations
Single accommodation (available on request - compulsory supplement)
Solo traveller supplement (where only one person is travelling on a departure date)

3 Days of Walking & Trekking

Day 2

12 km / 7.5 miles

Day 3

10 km / 6.2 miles

Day 4

10 km / 6.2 miles

Itinerary

This town is entirely surrounded by vines. Walk down the Avenue de Champagne, with its magnificent mansion facades and opulent middle-class homes occupied by famous Champagne Houses, and you can see why Epernay competes for the title of 'Capital of Champagne'. Here, are miles of underground galleries and millions of bottles of preciously kept champagne away from light and heat... In Epernay, cellar visits to the largest champagne houses are among the highlights of the tour... And they sparkle with stories and expertise.
You stay at Hotel de Champagne***

Transfer to Hautvillers. It is here that the legend of Champagne was born, thanks to the Benedictine monk Dom Perignon, who was said to have accidentally invented effervescent wine at the end of the 17th century. He's buried in the abbey of Hautvillers, leaving his name to a vintage produced by a famous Champagne House.

Along your walk between forest and vineyards, you will learn about 'Blanc de Noirs' champagne which is made using only black grapes (Pinot Noir and/or Pinot Meunier). Two grape varieties with darker skin and white flesh. Pass the village of Romery, a quaint village with streets bordered by flowers.
You stay at Hotel de Champagne*** (Breakfast included)

Meals Included: Breakfast

A transfer takes you to the start of your walk at Ay. Located at the fringe of the vineyards, and headquarters to several prestigious champagne houses such as Veuve Clicquot and Bollinger, Aÿ makes the transition between hillside slopes and the river, between the Montagne de Reims and the suburbs of Epernay.

Discover a high Gothic-style church and wood-frame houses, including one that is reputed to have served as Henri IV's fermenting room. Follow the former Roman way between forest and vineyards in the Marne Valley. Enjoy numerous opportunities to taste the pinot meunier which brings its full fruity flavour to rose champagnes.
You stay at Hotel de Champagne*** (Breakfast included)

Meals Included: Breakfast

Transfer to Verzy where the forest boasts the largest concentration of 'Fau' beech trees anywhere in the world. The origin of this rare tree, with its especially twisted, knotted branches, remains a mystery to botanists.

The especially slow-growing, long living Fau beech trees greatly contribute to singularity of the the Montagne de Reims Regional Park. After your walk, don't miss the chance to taste 'Blanc de Blancs' Champagne using chardonnay only, a white grape locally produced in this village.
You stay at Hotel de Champagne*** (Breakfast included)

Meals Included: Breakfast

Essential Info

Visa

France

Travellers from the UK, US and EU normally do not need a visa to enter France. Please note, visa requirements often change and it is your responsibility to obtain any required visas for this trip. Therefore, we recommend that you check with the nearest embassy or consulate of your chosen destination(s), including any countries you may be transiting or transferring through.
Some local governments provide guidance on what visas their citizens need. To help, we’ve gathered a selection of useful links below.
• Australia: www.smartraveller.gov.au/destinations/europe/france
• Canada: www.travel.gc.ca/destinations/france
• United Kingdom: www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/france/entry-requirements
• USA:  www.travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/international-travel/International-Travel-Country-Information-Pages/France.html

Vaccination

France

There are no required vaccinations. However, you may want to consider vaccinations for tetanus, rabies and tick-borne encephalitis. Please confirm with your doctor or travel clinic.

Weather

In Champagne, the summers are comfortable and partly cloudy which makes it ideal for walking. The winters are very cold, windy, and mostly cloudy. Over the course of the year, the temperature typically varies from -0°C to 25°C and is rarely below -7°C or above 31°C.

The hottest month is July with daily average temperatures being around 24°C

Is this trip for you?

As this is a self-guided holiday there is no group and no leader. There maybe others on the same departure date as you, but you will not be organised together. The routes notes contain an emergency assistance telephone number should you need it and in emergencies, the local representative is normally able to dispatch a taxi or pick you up themselves. They may wish to charge for this service.

Covid-19 refund commitment

You will get a refund if you have to cancel your trip due to COVID-19.

Availability

This trip is available on request. Please proceed with your booking online or contact our Sales Team for assistance.