📍 France

MARNE: CHAMPAGNE CELLARS AND SACRED CATHEDRALS HERITAGE

Chalk cellars where champagne takes its time, cathedrals with dizzying vaults, hillsides striped with vines. Marne, land of effervescence.

≈ 10
Days
275
Km
9
Stops
📖 5 min read 🔄 Last updated: 2026-01-17

Explore Champagne between cellars, cathedrals and vineyards. Visit Reims cathedral. Descend into Épernay cellars. Discover Hautvillers, birthplace of champagne. Tour Verzenay and its chalky slopes. The vineyard structures landscape and history.

Your day-by-day itinerary

1
Day

Reims

cathedral gothic royal crown

Reims - Photo 1Reims - Photo 2Reims - Photo 3Reims - Photo 4Reims - Photo 5Reims - Photo 6Reims - Photo 7Reims - Photo 8Reims - Photo 9Reims - Photo 10
10 photos
Day 1
🔍

Discover

1
Royal coronations.
2
Palace of Tau.
3
Saint-Remi Basilica.
4
Champagne Avenue.
🎯

Activities

→
Champagne Houses (Taittinger).
→
Pommery.
→
Veuve Clicquot).
+1 Optional activities
🚗
Next stop
Distance: 32 km
Travel time: 1h04
2
Day

Epernay

champagne cellar heritage city

Epernay - Photo 1Epernay - Photo 2Epernay - Photo 3Epernay - Photo 4
4 photos
Day 2
🔍

Discover

1
Moët & Chandon Houses.
2
Mercier.
3
De Castellane.
4
Abbey (Dom Pérignon).
🎯

Activities

→
Historic hillsides.
→
UNESCO vineyards.
→
Panorama over the Marne valley.
🚗
Next stop
Distance: 6.1 km
Travel time: 12min
3
Day

Hautvillers

vineyard hillside monastic village

Hautvillers - Photo 1Hautvillers - Photo 2Hautvillers - Photo 3Hautvillers - Photo 4Hautvillers - Photo 5Hautvillers - Photo 6
6 photos
Day 3
🔍

Discover

1
Wine presses.
2
Saint-Étienne Cathedral (stained glass windows).
3
Collégiale Notre-Dame-en-Vaux (UNESCO).
4
Notre-Dame Basilica (UNESCO).
🎯

Activities

→
Southern Champagne vineyards.
→
Marne Valley.
→
"Champagne Venice".
🚗
Next stop
Distance: 52.1 km
Travel time: 52min
4
Day

Chateau Thierry

Chateau Thierry - Photo 1Chateau Thierry - Photo 2Chateau Thierry - Photo 3Chateau Thierry - Photo 4Chateau Thierry - Photo 5Chateau Thierry - Photo 6Chateau Thierry - Photo 7Chateau Thierry - Photo 8Chateau Thierry - Photo 9Chateau Thierry - Photo 10
10 photos
Day 4
🔍

Discover

1
Flamboyant Gothic).
2
Lighthouse-museum of the Vine.
3
Mill.
🎯

Activities

→
Proximity to Mourmelon military camp.
→
Montagne de Reims.
🚗
Next stop
Distance: 92 km
Travel time: 1h32
5
Day

Chalons En Champagne

city regional gateway market

Chalons En Champagne - Photo 1Chalons En Champagne - Photo 2Chalons En Champagne - Photo 3Chalons En Champagne - Photo 4Chalons En Champagne - Photo 5
5 photos
Day 5
🔍

Discover

1
Henri IV Wine Press.
2
Saint-Brice Church.
3
Saint-Étienne Crypt.
🎯

Activities

→
Grand Cru.
→
Champagne Grand Cru.
→
Houses (Bollinger).
🚗
Next stop
Distance: 12.9 km
Travel time: 26min
6
Day

L Epine

basilica pilgrimage gothic shrine

L Epine - Photo 1L Epine - Photo 2L Epine - Photo 3L Epine - Photo 4
4 photos
Day 6
🔍

Discover

1
Notre-Dame Basilica (UNESCO).
2
Flamboyant Gothic).
3
Pilgrimage.
🎯

Activities

→
Deutz).
→
Côte des Blancs (Chardonnay).
🚗
Next stop
Distance: 36.5 km
Travel time: 1h13
7
Day

Verzenay

chalk vineyard hillside crown

Verzenay - Photo 1Verzenay - Photo 2Verzenay - Photo 3Verzenay - Photo 4Verzenay - Photo 5Verzenay - Photo 6Verzenay - Photo 7
7 photos
Day 7
🔍

Discover

1
Lighthouse-museum of the Vine.
2
Mill.
3
Wine village.
🎯

Activities

→
Blanc de Blancs.
→
Grand Cru.
→
Tasting.
+1 Optional activities
🚗
Next stop
Distance: 21.3 km
Travel time: 43min
8
Day

Ay Champagne

river town champagne village

Ay Champagne - Photo 1Ay Champagne - Photo 2Ay Champagne - Photo 3Ay Champagne - Photo 4
4 photos
Day 8
🔍

Discover

1
Henri IV Wine Press.
2
Saint-Brice Church.
3
Cellars.
🎯

Activities

→
Champagne Grand Cru.
→
Houses (Bollinger).
→
Deutz).
+1 Optional activities
🚗
Next stop
Distance: 21.8 km
Travel time: 44min
9
Day

Vertus

wine village vineyard landscape

Vertus - Photo 1Vertus - Photo 2Vertus - Photo 3Vertus - Photo 4Vertus - Photo 5
5 photos
Day 9
🔍

Discover

1
Saint-Étienne Crypt.
2
Medieval ramparts.
3
Church.
🎯

Activities

→
Côte des Blancs (Chardonnay).
→
Blanc de Blancs.
→
Tasting.

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🛡️ Travel advice - France

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❓ Frequently asked questions

What weather should you expect?

Spring (April-June): Perfect weather, blooming countryside, ideal for all regions, moderate crowds, excellent value, romantic atmosphere.

Summer (July-August): Warmest weather, peak tourist season, highest prices, crowded attractions, perfect for Mediterranean coast, festival season.

Fall (September-October): Harvest season, comfortable temperatures, fewer crowds, wine regions spectacular, excellent photography, good value.

Winter (November-March): Christmas markets, ski season Alps, fewer crowds, lowest prices, cozy indoor attractions, cultural experiences.

How many days should I plan?

We believe you will enjoy this itinerary best by dedicating between 8 and 12 days. The next step will allow you to adjust the duration of your stay.

What to discover in France?

Cultural capital with incredible cuisine, world-famous attractions, and diverse regions from Paris to Provence. Experience artistic heritage, wine culture, and sophisticated lifestyle. The country offers excellent infrastructure with cultural depth and culinary excellence. France provides complete cultural experiences with historical significance and modern sophistication in easily accessible destination.