Champagne Cottages

Holiday Cottages in Champagne

Welcome to Champagne  

In the north-east of France, within easy reach of Ile de France and Paris, the stunning chalk plateau of the Champagne region rolls out with seemingly endless vineyards spread over a gently rolling landscape dotted with charming villages, historic cities and towns. The only place in the world that is allowed to call the fizzy stuff ‘champagne’, (from other regions and countries it can only ever be ‘sparking wine’) there are 30,000 hectares dedicated to champagne’s grapes with the majority of exports hailing from around Reims and Epernay – considered ‘champagne central’ by pretty much everyone.

The great city of Reims occupies a very special place in France’s long and colourful history.  Alongside its superb gothic cathedral, the coronation venue for many of her Kings and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, you’ll also find royal palaces, gardens, papal palaces and Roman antiquity.  To the south of Reims you’ll discover tranquil, unspoilt villages and the gorgeous medieval town of Troyes and ancient ramparts of Langres.

There are tours of many of the famous champagne producers’ cellars including the great houses of Mumm, Piper-Heidsieck, Taittinger, Veuve Clicquot, Moët & Chandon and lots more!  A top spot for a country cottage holiday, walking and cycling are favourite pastimes throughout the region along with horse riding and golf.  North of Reims in the mighty Ardennes forest you’ll find the world war battlefields of Sedan, Argonne and Châlons-sur-Marne, along the rivers Meuse and Marne.  Today, the forest and rivers welcome visitors with lots of diverse activities and attractions on the water, on dry land and in the tree tops!

Things to do Champagne

Explore Reims’ wealth of stunning heritage including the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Cathedral Notre Dame where you can walk in the footsteps of France’s kings and heroine Joan of Arc.  In this great city you’ll also find the Porte Mars, a Roman Triumphal arch from 3^rd century AD, Palace of Tau with its 17^th century tapestries and Saint Remi Basilica.  Further afield visit the Château de Boursault; inspired by the famous château Chambord in the Loire Valley, it was built in the early 1800s for Madame Cliquot.

Apparently, every two seconds a bottle of champagne is opened somewhere in the world, so get yourself on a tour of some of the great houses and see how it’s all done – don’t forget the tasting!  There are many walking and cycling trails around the region, plus quad biking and golf including the charming golf course near Troyes, a town well worth a visit for its picturesque medieval half timbered houses. 

Flowers are everywhere in Champagne and their gardens are some of the loveliest in France check out the fabulous Jardin Botanique de Marnay sur Seine and for bird watching, fishing and watersports head for Lac du Der, one of the largest lakes in Europe found in Champagne’s Forêt d’Orient.  Also found nearby is one of the best theme parks in the region, Nigloland, a fab place for all the family to enjoy a great day out!

Champagne Trail

Epernay wines & festivals

Golf in Troyes

Jardin Botanique de Marnay sur Seine

Nigloland