“It is always a good time for champagne,” I have the destination for you. It is a short train ride from Paris, but certainly a decadent destination for the Francophile traveler.

Arriving in Reims by train and renting a car to drive to the town of Epernay will have you among the famed Avenue de Champagne in time for tastings in champagne houses such as Moët & Chandon, Mercier, Champagne de Castellane or Perrier-Jouët where you can also enjoy an elegant lunch and pairing.

The town of Epernay is surrounded by vines and each champagne house along the tree-lined avenue welcomes those strolling by the massive gates to enter, sip and relax in the sun.
For at least one night, stay at Le 25bis by Leclerc Briant (www.le25bis.com), located on the Avenue and since 2015, named part of the area’s UNESCO World Heritage site.
The boutique property has five Bedrooms, as they are referred to, each with its own classic style. Depending on the room there are views over the gardens, the vineyards, or the Avenue de Champagne, and into the evening guests can sit in the courtyard among those sipping the regional bubbles and enjoy the night air with fellow champagne enthusiasts.

Champagne Leclerc Briant offers private tours by reservation allowing the guest an understanding of the story of the historical vineyard, La Croisette. This is a small plot cultivated bio-dynamically since it was first planted, and it is the place where the cuvée of the same
name began.

The House of Leclerc Briant is also impressive in that it was one of the first biodynamics in Champagne beginning back in the 1950s. This practice has been part of the story ever since, with the fifth generation of Leclercs finally obtained its first full certifications for the house.

My takeaway here was not only the refined boutique overnight accommodations, breakfast and location, but it is clear the House of Leclerc Briant, and those who are part of the journey among the vines, have a deep respect for nature. They work with, and not against, the natural elements of the region, with Hervé Jestin, who specializes in biodynamics, at the helm of the relationship with vines and wine

It is about the harmony of the earth and the wines are listened to and respected, with some bottles spending a year under the ocean, some bottles in the snow, and the moon phases also play a key role in the decadence of the champagne gracing this house and its admirers.

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The knowledge that as much as $2 billion worth of bubbles age quietly below the avenue in the cellars of the champagne houses make this the reason many refer to this area as the most expensive in the world, with millions of bottles of champagne stored in the belowground chalk cellars.

The private mansions and residences are welcoming for visits for the best-of -the-best champagne along the Avenue de Champagne, and primarily feature 19th century architecture with manicured grounds, gardens and courtyards as well as the vineyards as the Epernay backdrop.

Also, on the Avenue de Champagne is the Champagne Wine and Regional Archaeology Museum located in Château Perrier, a historic monument in Epernay and the former home of champagne merchants. Here you can spend hours learning about the region’s history and archeology and how it became part of the Champagne story. You can also enjoy the grounds of the chateau, walking from the main building to the side wings through the chateau’s park and courtyard.

While in Epernay there is the Ballon de’ Epernay, a tethered balloon that is at the whim of the wind and is often not operating. If it does operate you will be 150 meters above Epernay (a little under a mile high) and while in the air will be treated to a 360 degree panoramic view of the Montagne de Reims, the Marne Valley, and the Cote de Blancs.

Another grand stop in the Champagne region of France is the Royal Champagne Hotel and Spa’s (https://royalchampagne.com) restaurant, Le Royal, boasting 1 Michelin star and home to Chef Christophe Raoux. Located in Champillon, the hotel is also a Leading Hotel of the World and the entire property is picturesque from afar and full of lush secrets, in addition to the Raoux surprises, as well as the creations of Pastry Chef Claire Santos Lopes and Philippe Marques, Head Sommelier’s pours.

Lunch on the terrace looking at the vines for miles in the late summer afternoon sun gives a feeling there is no place you would rather be. Rightly so, as the dishes created by Raoux include a piece of nature combined with fresh ingredients and the effervescence of just the right pairing of Champagne.

Also a must-stop, is a visit to the Pommery pressing center in Aÿ-Champagne. This place highlights the important parts of the architectural and industrial heritage of the Pommery house, while allowing for a quick dive into the history of the region with a few sips to be shared among guests at the end of the tour.

While one could visit and enjoy France’s Champagne region for days, remember too, Champagne can be divided into five sub-regions including Montagne de Reims, Vallée de la Marne, Côte des Blancs, Côte de Sézanne and Côte des Bar. Each have their own special story and characteristics, so while the first stop might be the Avenue de Champagne to begin the journey, the houses and families and history of this region will walk you down miles of vines and sips from the well-known names, to the exquisite secrets still waiting to be discovered.
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