AT A GLANCE
Reims is a grand cathedral city with world-famous Champagne houses and rich history, ideal for culture lovers and luxury travellers. Épernay is the intimate heart of the Champagne region, home to the legendary Avenue de Champagne and a gateway to grower-producer vineyards. The good news? You don't have to choose — Decanter Tours can craft an itinerary that captures the best of both.
The Champagne region of northeast France is one of the world's most celebrated wine destinations, and at its heart lie two remarkable cities: Reims and Épernay. Both lay claim to the title of Champagne capital — and both are right. But they offer distinctly different experiences, and choosing the right base can make all the difference to your tour.
In this guide, we'll walk you through what makes each city special, who each one suits best, where to stay, and how Decanter Tours can turn your Champagne dream into an unforgettable reality.
Reims (pronounced "Rance") is a city of magnificent proportions. It was the coronation city of French kings for over a millennium, and that regal grandeur is still palpable today. The soaring Cathédrale Notre-Dame de Reims, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, dominates the skyline and sets the tone for a city that pairs world-class fizz with world-class culture.
With a population of around 180,000, Reims has the infrastructure of a proper city — excellent restaurants, boutique hotels, galleries, and a vibrant local scene beyond the cellars.
Reims is home to some of the most iconic names in Champagne. The great houses — known as the Grandes Marques — have constructed an extraordinary network of chalk cellars (crayères) beneath the city streets, many of which date back to Roman times.
Houses you can visit in Reims include:
These are bucket-list cellar visits — part wine education, part architectural wonder.
Domaine Les Crayères ★★★★★ — This is arguably the most prestigious address in the entire Champagne region. A magnificent Belle Époque château set in private parkland, Domaine Les Crayères is the benchmark for Champagne luxury. Its two-Michelin-starred restaurant Le Parc is a destination in itself, and the cellar collection is exceptional. Decanter Tours can arrange exclusive access and bespoke dining experiences here.
La Résidence Eisenhower ★★★★ — 17 Boulevard Lundy, 51100 Reims. A superb choice for those who want character, comfort, and a story to tell. This handsome property housed General Eisenhower during World War II and has been sensitively transformed into an elegant boutique hotel. Ideally located in the heart of Reims, the atmosphere is personal and refined — an excellent base for exploring the city's great Champagne houses.
If Reims is Champagne's imperial capital, Épernay is its beating heart. This smaller town of around 25,000 people is home to the most famous street in the wine world: the Avenue de Champagne.
Lined with palatial 19th-century mansions — the headquarters of houses such as Moët & Chandon, Pol Roger, Perrier-Jouët, and de Castellane — this boulevard is estimated to have over 200 million bottles ageing beneath its surface. Walking it feels like strolling through wine history.
Épernay's real secret weapon is its position at the intersection of three of Champagne's most celebrated sub-regions: the Montagne de Reims, the Vallée de la Marne, and the Côte des Blancs. From Épernay, you're perfectly placed to explore the village producers — the récoltants-manipulants — crafting some of the most exciting, terroir-driven Champagnes in the world.
This is where serious wine lovers find their paradise: small-scale, family-run estates offering personal tours, intimate tastings, and wines you simply can't find in a supermarket.
Royal Champagne Hotel & Spa ★★★★★ — Perched dramatically above the vineyards in the village of Champillon, just minutes from Épernay, the Royal Champagne is one of the region's most celebrated luxury addresses. With breathtaking panoramic views over the Marne valley, a renowned spa, and exceptional cuisine, it is a destination in its own right. The perfect retreat for those who want to be immersed in the vines themselves.
La Villa Eugène ★★★★ — Set in a beautifully restored 19th-century mansion in the heart of Épernay, La Villa Eugène offers elegant, individually decorated rooms and a warm, personal welcome. Surrounded by its own vines and a tranquil garden, it perfectly captures the charm and intimacy that makes Épernay so special.
| Reims | Épernay | |
|---|---|---|
| City Vibe | Grand & cosmopolitan | Intimate & village-like |
| Best For | Culture, history, luxury | Wine depth, vineyards, romance |
| Champagne Style | Grande Marques & iconic houses | Grower producers & terroir |
| Cellar Highlight | Roman crayères | Avenue de Champagne |
| Dining | Michelin-starred & fine dining | Bistros & local markets |
| Hotels | Domaine Les Crayères, La Résidence Eisenhower | Royal Champagne Hotel & Spa, La Villa Eugène |
✦ READY TO PLAN YOUR CHAMPAGNE TOUR?
Decanter Tours specialises in bespoke Champagne experiences — from private cellar visits to vineyard picnics with grower producers. Let us handle every detail.
Book Your Champagne Tour with Decanter Tours Today
The best news for Champagne lovers is that Reims and Épernay are only 26 kilometres apart — about 25 minutes by car or train. A well-designed tour can effortlessly incorporate the highlights of both cities, giving you the grandeur of Reims and the intimacy of Épernay in a single, seamless itinerary.
A typical Decanter Tours Champagne itinerary might look something like this:
Every tour is tailored to your preferences, pace, and palate.
The most prestigious Champagne houses — particularly Ruinart, Krug, and Salon — require advance reservations, sometimes months ahead. Decanter Tours handles all bookings on your behalf, ensuring access to visits that independent travellers often cannot secure.
✦ EXCLUSIVE ACCESS, GUARANTEED
Decanter Tours has established relationships with Champagne's finest houses and grower producers. We secure private visits, priority access, and exclusive tastings that are simply not available to walk-in guests.
Contact Decanter Tours to Start Planning Your Bespoke Champagne Experience
If this is your first visit to the Champagne region, Reims offers a spectacular introduction: iconic houses, UNESCO-listed architecture, and world-class dining all in one city. That said, many first-timers find Épernay's Avenue de Champagne the single most memorable experience of their trip. Decanter Tours recommends a combined itinerary whenever time allows.
A minimum of three nights allows you to do the region justice. Four to five nights lets you explore both Reims and Épernay comfortably, with time for vineyard drives and village visits. Decanter Tours offers itineraries from weekend breaks to week-long deep dives.
Some smaller grower-producers welcome walk-ins, particularly in quieter months. However, the major houses require advance reservations — and the most exclusive experiences are only available through established contacts. Decanter Tours handles all logistics so you can simply arrive and enjoy.
Grower Champagnes are produced by the same family who grows the grapes, rather than large négociant houses who blend from across the region. They tend to be more terroir-expressive and often extraordinary in quality. The villages around Épernay — particularly in the Côte des Blancs and Vallée de la Marne — are the best places to discover them.
Absolutely. The countryside is beautiful, the towns are welcoming, and there are plenty of non-wine activities — from cycling vineyard routes to visiting WWI memorials and museums. Decanter Tours can tailor itineraries for families or mixed groups.
Domaine Les Crayères is a five-star château — the pinnacle of Champagne luxury, with Michelin-starred dining and exceptional service. La Résidence Eisenhower is a four-star boutique hotel in the heart of Reims with wonderful historic character. Near Épernay, the Royal Champagne Hotel & Spa offers stunning vineyard views and a world-class spa, while La Villa Eugène provides intimate, elegant charm in a restored mansion. Each suits a different style of traveller — Decanter Tours can advise on the best fit for you.
✦ BEGIN YOUR CHAMPAGNE JOURNEY WITH DECANTER TOURS
Whether your heart is set on Reims, Épernay, or an itinerary that captures both, Decanter Tours is here to craft a Champagne experience as individual as the wines themselves.
Private cellar visits | Expert guides | Luxury accommodation | Bespoke itineraries
Experience the finest private wine tours in Bordeaux and beyond. With over 20 years of expertise, we craft tailor-made wine journeys to iconic regions like Médoc, Saint-Émilion, Burgundy, and Champagne. Explore exclusive chateaux with expert guides and seamless planning for a truly unforgettable experience.
