Epernay
ATTRACTION Keywords:
Cultural Experience,
Town / City,
Winery
Where Dijon is a center for Burgundy's red wine production (and that of mustard), Epernay is the main entrepot for the wines of the Champagne region. Visitors from all over the world come to this small town to buy champagne and see how it is bottled. As it is the center for champagne production, its economy and tourism largely revolve around sparkling wines.
Like most other metropolitan areas in France, Epernay can trace its history to the last days of Rome. Indeed, the town is replete with the obligatory 16th-century church and Old Quarter; however, these quaint relics of long-gone eras have been somewhat overshadowed by a cheerily modern streak. This doesn't mean that the town's charm has disappeared under a bunch of apartments and malls; rather, Epernay's appeal spreads outside its limits to the surrounding countryside, where the wealthy wine merchants and champagne producers keep impressive maisons.
Also spread throughout the countryside are the region's many wineries, most of which offer tours and tastings. Driving around centuries-old vineyards is awe-inspiring in itself, and many producers offer tours of the champagne caves. Mined for chalk during Roman times, these caves were later found to be perfect for storing the effervescent wines that made the region famous.
Latest Reviews
Review by Pschwartzonyx, USA, May 2013
Doing what: Champagne Region Day Trip from Paris by Minivan
This trip was beautiful. We picked three trips through Viator and all were exceptional. The tour guide (Selena) was very well informed and the comparison between a small family owned winery and Moet-Chandon was a great contrast. The church tour was wonderful.
Review by Michaela S, May 2013
Doing what: Champagne Region Day Trip from Paris by Minivan
Despite a cold and rainy day it was a great trip. Guide was very knowledgeable, the scenery superb and the champagne great.
Review by Jeffrey M, April 2013
Doing what: Champagne Region Day Trip from Paris by Minivan
Fantastic tour! Love that we saw a small family champagne and a huge one. Our guide was great!!!!! Being in a small van of 8 made it much more friendly and comfortable and I learnt so much, will use this company again!
L'Avenue de Champagne is probably one of the biggest tourist attractions in Epernay, as many of the most prominent champagne producers such as Moët et Chandon, Mercier and De Castellane keep their headquarters on this street. According to local hearsay, L'Avenue de Champagne is the most expensive street in the world, given all the bottles of champagne (numbering some 90 million) stored in the chalk cellars beneath the street.
