Festival weekend planner
Habits de Lumière — a 3-day weekend in Champagne
11–13 December 2026. Épernay, France. 90 min from the airport.
The weekend, day by day
- Day 1
Arrive in Épernay
Land at Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport (CDG), settle in and walk the old town in the afternoon. Light dinner near your accommodation — save your appetite for the festival day.
- Day 2
Habits de Lumière
Festival day — arrive early to avoid the lunchtime crowd. Pace yourself across the tastings and break for a long lunch mid-afternoon.
- Day 3
Wine country day in Champagne
Use the third day for a single winery visit (booked ahead) and a long lunch before heading home.
Where to stay
- Hotels in Épernay
Live availability around the festival dates. Festival hotels book out 6+ months ahead, so check early.
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Where to eat
Café du Palais
€€Art Deco landmark café in Reims, popular for lunch and people-watching
Must try: Biscuit rose de Reims
More dining picks in Champagne →Practical
- Nearest airport
- Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport (CDG)
Insider tip
Book a private cellar tour at Perrier-Jouët before the festival crowds hit—their Belle Époque vintage library is rarely shown publicly, and festival week allows special access. Skip Avenue de Champagne's generic wine stalls and instead visit Mailly Grand Cru's cooperative tasting room; their grower-champagnes offer depth the megahouses hide.
Want a longer trip than the festival weekend?
The milestone-trip planner builds a 3–10 day Champagne itinerary with accommodation, tours, and pacing options.
Plan a Champagne trip →