Where to Stay in Champagne Wine Country: Complete 2026 Guide

Champagne is more than a wine—it's a place. The rolling chalk hills, prestigious houses, and centuries of tradition combine to create one of the world's most iconic wine destinations. From the grande marques of Reims to the grower producers of the Côte des Blancs, Champagne offers experiences for every type of wine lover.

But Champagne is also compact, making it possible to visit from Paris as a day trip—though staying overnight reveals the region's true magic. This guide breaks down the best bases for exploring Champagne, accommodation types, and insider tips for planning your sparkling wine pilgrimage.

Best Areas to Stay in Champagne at a Glance:
- For grande marques: Reims - Veuve Clicquot, Taittinger, Ruinart
- For Avenue de Champagne: Épernay - Moët, Perrier-Jouët, Pol Roger
- For grower Champagne: Côte des Blancs - small producers, Chardonnay
- For Pinot Noir: Montagne de Reims - village visits, vineyard walks
- For day trips: Paris - TGV makes it easy (45 min to Reims)

Best Areas to Stay for Champagne Tasting

Reims

The "capital" of Champagne. This historic city (coronation site of French kings) is home to many of the most famous houses—Veuve Clicquot, Taittinger, Ruinart, Pommery—with their spectacular chalk cellars carved from Roman quarries.

Why champagne lovers choose Reims:

• Major houses with spectacular cellar tours
• Gothic cathedral (UNESCO World Heritage)
• Best restaurants in the region
• TGV station (45 min from Paris)
• More accommodation options than Épernay

Major houses in Reims:

• Veuve Clicquot, Taittinger, Ruinart, Pommery, Mumm, Lanson

Price range: €100-400/night

Best for: First-time visitors, those wanting city amenities, history lovers

Champagne access: Book house visits 2-4 weeks ahead. Walk to Taittinger, Ruinart from city center.

Épernay

Home of the Avenue de Champagne—a single street lined with the most famous champagne houses in the world. Épernay is smaller than Reims but arguably more immersive for champagne obsessives.

Why champagne lovers choose Épernay:

• Avenue de Champagne (UNESCO World Heritage)
• Moët & Chandon, Perrier-Jouët, Pol Roger
• Smaller, more intimate town
• Gateway to grower champagne territory
• Less urban than Reims

Major houses in Épernay:

• Moët & Chandon, Perrier-Jouët, Pol Roger, De Castellane

Price range: €90-350/night

Best for: Champagne purists, romantic getaways, grower champagne enthusiasts

Champagne access: Walk to Avenue houses. Easy drives to villages. Book major houses ahead.

Côte des Blancs

South of Épernay, the Côte des Blancs is Chardonnay country—100% blanc de blancs champagne from chalky slopes. This is grower territory, where family producers make exceptional champagne you won't find elsewhere.

Why champagne lovers choose Côte des Blancs:

• Grand Cru villages (Avize, Le Mesnil-sur-Oger, Cramant)
• Grower champagne specialists
• Smaller, more personal experiences
• Vineyard walks through chalky slopes
• Less touristy than Reims/Épernay

Key villages:

• Avize - Central, good accommodation
• Le Mesnil-sur-Oger - Famous for Salon, Krug Clos du Mesnil
• Cramant - Charming, excellent producers

Price range: €70-250/night

Best for: Grower champagne enthusiasts, those seeking authenticity, return visitors

Champagne access: Small producers often welcome visitors by appointment. Very personal tastings.

Trade-off: Limited restaurants. Car essential.

Montagne de Reims

The forested mountain between Reims and Épernay is Pinot Noir territory. Grand Cru villages here produce champagne's powerful, structured backbone.

Why champagne lovers choose Montagne de Reims:

• Pinot Noir heartland
• Grand Cru villages (Ambonnay, Bouzy, Verzenay)
• Forest walks and vineyard hikes
• Between Reims and Épernay (access both)
• Historic lighthouse viewpoint at Verzenay

Key villages:

• Verzenay - Famous lighthouse, panoramic views
• Ambonnay - Egly-Ouriet, Krug supplier
• Bouzy - Still red wine tradition

Price range: €60-200/night

Best for: Hikers, Pinot lovers, those wanting village atmosphere

Champagne access: Small producers, often by appointment. Authentic experiences.

Types of Champagne Country Accommodation

Maison de Champagne (€150-500/night)

Stay with champagne producers—the ultimate immersion. These B&Bs and guesthouses are run by families who make champagne.

What to expect:

• Rooms in producer homes
• Private tastings with the winemaker
• Cellar visits included
• Breakfast with champagne
• Personal recommendations

Best for: Enthusiasts, authenticity seekers, French speakers (helps)

Château & Manor Hotels (€200-600/night)

Grand properties in the champagne style—elegant, refined, with champagne at the center of everything.

What to expect:

• Historic architecture
• Formal service
• Exceptional dining
• Park grounds and gardens
• Champagne bars

Best for: Special occasions, luxury seekers, romantic trips

City Hotels (€80-300/night)

Reims and Épernay both have comfortable hotels ranging from chains to boutiques.

What to expect:

• Central locations
• Walking distance to houses and restaurants
• Standard hotel amenities
• Range of price points

Best for: Independent travelers, business trips, first-time visitors

Village Gîtes & B&Bs (€60-150/night)

Traditional accommodation in wine villages. Excellent value with authentic atmosphere.

What to expect:

• Simple, comfortable rooms
• Local hosts with recommendations
• Kitchen access (often)
• Village life immersion

Best for: Budget travelers, longer stays, grower champagne explorers

When to Visit Champagne

High Season (June-September)

What to expect:

• Warm weather (70-80°F)
• Peak visitor numbers
• All houses open
• Higher prices
• Book houses 3-4 weeks ahead

Best months: June and September (best weather, fewer crowds than July-August)

Shoulder Season (April-May, October)

What to expect:

• Mild weather, some rain
• Lower prices
• Easier house bookings
• Spring blooms or autumn colors

Best value: Late April (spring vineyards) and October (post-harvest)

Harvest Season (September-October)

What to expect:

• Vineyards buzzing with activity
• Special harvest experiences available
• Most atmospheric time to visit
• Book houses early

Pro tip: Some houses offer harvest visit packages. Check websites in early summer.

Insider Tips for Staying in Champagne

1. Book grande marques weeks ahead — Moët, Veuve Clicquot, and Ruinart require advance reservations. Check websites for booking windows.
2. Don't skip grower champagne — The small producers of the Côte des Blancs and Montagne de Reims make exceptional wine. Ask your accommodation for recommendations.
3. Learn the village classifications — Grand Cru and Premier Cru villages indicate quality. Avize, Le Mesnil, Ambonnay are grand cru.
4. The TGV makes day trips easy — Paris to Reims is 45 minutes. Possible to visit 2-3 houses in a day trip if needed.
5. Try vintage champagne — Many houses offer tastings of older vintages for a premium. Worth it for education.
6. Explore the chalk cellars — The Roman-era chalk caves are unlike anything else. Ruinart and Pommery have particularly spectacular ones.
7. Bring a sweater for cellars — Underground champagne cellars are 50-55°F year-round. Even in summer, you'll want a layer.

Book Your Champagne Stay

Ready to experience the world's most celebrated sparkling wine region? Browse curated champagne country accommodations on VineStays—from Reims luxury hotels to grower maisons in the Côte des Blancs, all hand-picked for wine lovers.

[Browse Champagne Stays on VineStays →]

Whether you're planning a grande marque pilgrimage along the Avenue de Champagne or a grower-focused village-hopping adventure, Champagne delivers magic in every glass. The chalk cellars await.

More Champagne Wine Travel Guides

• Champagne Wine Region Overview
• Reims Guide
• France Wine Regions
• Grower Champagne Guide (coming soon)

Word Count: ~1,600

Last Updated: January 2026

Author: WineTravelGuides Editorial Team