Simply walking down the Avenue de Champagne in Épernay might be your ultimate Champagne experience. Not surprising in the least. But wait… there’s more.
Beautiful Épernay is in north-eastern France, in the Grand Est region. The town has passed through various hands and has been destroyed or severely damaged more than 20 times in its turbulent history.
Today it is a beautiful town that welcomes visitors. It’s a hub for producing, storing, and selling Champagne and a gateway to the region that has made bubbles famous.
Your ultimate Champagne experience is sure to get even better.
A little history
Épernay, known initially as Sparnacum, has a history that dates to Roman times. By the 5th century, the archbishops of Reims had assumed control, and that arrangement lasted until the 10th century, after which it came into the possession of the Counts of Champagne.
The town suffered significant damage in 1544 during the Hundred Years’ War when Francis I torched it.
Épernay also played a role in the wars of religion. Its people resisted Henry of Navarre in 1592. Épernay and Château-Thierry became one duchy under the Duc de Bouillon in 1642.
Despite its challenging past, Épernay has continued to thrive and remains a critical centre for the Champagne wine industry.
Your ultimate Champagne experience begins
Not surprisingly, the main attraction in Épernay is Champagne, and you’ll realise that when you see the number of hectares given over to growing grapes.
The town’s major attractions also focus on Champagne production.
Avenue de Champagne
This wide and stately avenue is a UNESCO World Heritage site and one of the most expensive streets in the world, mainly due to the millions of bottles of Champagne stored in the kilometres of chalk cellars that lie beneath it.
The street extends for nearly one kilometre and is lined on both sides with magnificent properties. Their architectural style sets them apart from the rest of the town.
Some were originally head offices of Champagne houses; others were private homes.
Today many of the famous Champagne houses are on the avenue. Famous residents are renowned names, such as Moët & Chandon, Perrier-Jouët, Boizel, de Venoge, Vranken, Pol Roger, Mercier and G.H. Martel.
The buildings honour the region’s main product with impressive facades, sweeping driveways and grand tasting rooms.
Several houses also offer tours, allowing visitors to learn about the Champagne production process and to taste the famous sparkling wine.
You can even take a short ride in a tethered hot-air balloon, to see the spectacular views of the town and its surrounds.
Museum of Champagne Wine and Archaeology
This new museum is in Château Perrier, a renovated 19th-century castle on Avenue de Champagne. It holds more than 2,000 exhibits and themed displays, including a a library with valuable 9th-century manuscripts, a wine museum and archaeological artifacts. The museum showcases the history and winemaking traditions of the area.
Pierre-Nicolas Perrier and his wife Adèle Jouët, founders of the Perrier-Jouët Champagne house, commissioned and designed the house in Louis Xlll style. It was built by local architect Pierre-Eugène Cordier in 1854.
The château had various roles over the years and, at various times, was the Army Headquarters for the British, German and American armies during World War II.
Since 1950, it housed the Regional Museum of Prehistory and Archaeology, and showcased the significant number of artworks and archaeological artifacts that were donated to the town of Épernay in 1893.
In 2021, after extensive renovation and refurbishment, it reopened in its present form. It is well worth a visit.
Château Perrier is among the Champagne Hillsides, Houses and Cellars on the UNESCO World Heritage List.
Hautvillers
Located on a hill just outside Épernay, this beautiful village is also a significant attraction and one you’d be crazy to miss. It has beautiful views over the Champagne valley and is an excellent side trip from Épernay.
Hautvillers is known as Le Berceau du Champagne – ‘the cradle of Champagne’.
The famous Dom Pérignon (1638-1715) was a Benedictine monk whose winemaking helped develop Champagne. He lived in the Abbey of St. Peter, sometimes known as Hautvillers Abbey, which was founded about 665 CE but destroyed during the French Revolution of 1789.
Later churches were built on the site and the remains of the Abbey now belong to Moët et Chandon. Dom Perignon’s remains are buried beneath the choir of the church in Hautvillers.
Hautvillers’ underground cellars, built in the late 17th century, were some of the first specifically dedicated to champagne production.
Its famous champagne houses include Champagne G. Tribaut, J.M Gobillard & Fils and Champagne Joseph Desruets.
Other attractions
The town’s most notable architectural and historical features are its extensive chalk tunnels, which span over 30 miles and store millions of litres of Épernay’s number one product – champagne
Épernay’s architecture is mainly from the 19th and 20th centuries, due to the town’s history of destruction and rebuilding.
The exception is the Avenue de Champagne, which runs the length of the town and is lined with grand private dwellings and cellars from the late 17th century.
Église Saint-Pierre-Saint-Paul
One of the prominent structures in Épernay is the Église Saint-Pierre-Saint-Paul, designed by architect Édouard Deperthes. Merchant Paul Chandon de Briailles provided the funds necessary for its completion in 1897.
The church is known for its beautiful stained-glass windows, created by a Parisian artistic society that specialised in painting on glass. The windows depict the history of the Champagne region.
It also houses organs by celebrated organ-builders Cavaillé-Coll and Charles Muttin; both are listed in the Inventory of Historic Monuments.
The church’s inauguration in 1897 was a grand event, attended by famous artists and musical societies. Monsignor Latty, the Bishop of Châlons, blessed the four bells of the church.
Raoul, the son of Paul Chandon, of Moët et Chandon fame, donated a stained-glass window dedicated to Saint-Vincent, the patron saint of winegrowers. He also presented a large sum to create Square Raoul Chandon, located near the church.
Portail de Saint-Martin
The Portal was the entrance to the Renaissance-style Church of Saint Martin, built in 1540. It was classified as a historical monument in 1908 and left standing after the demolition of the main church buildings shortly afterwards.
The Portal is one of the oldest monuments in Épernay. It is detailed with intricate stone carvings of animals.
Parks and gardens
Apart from the extensive vineyards surrounding the town, Épernay is also known for its beautiful parks and gardens:
- Parc de l’Hôtel de Ville, at the end of Avenue de Champagne surrounds the Town Hall, originally a mansion built by the Moët et Chandon family. The park was opened to the public in 1920, and is the venue for the White Picnic event.
- Jardin d’Horticulture d’Épernay (Horticulture Garden), designed by Reims landscape architect J.B. Thomereau in 1910, is an English-style park with flowerbeds, pathways, rock gardens, ponds and streams.
Events in Épernay
To complete your ultimate Champagne experience, check out the key events and festivities held throughout the year.
Many are related to culture, wine tourism and sports. Here are just a few:
- The annual edition of Spirit of Champagne is in June
- The White Picnic is held to celebrate France’s National Day on July 14th
- In September, you can join the wine harvest and be a Vendangeur d’un Jour – a grape picker for a day
- Habits de Lumière is a festival of light and sound shows, champagne tastings, fireworks and gastronomic discoveries. It is held in mid-December.
See what’s on during the time you plan to visit.
Cuisine
Épernay might be mostly about Champagne, but there’s a lot more on the menu.
The ultimate Champagne experience includes the superb regional foods.
In Épernay you’ll find various dining options, from traditional French restaurants to contemporary casual eateries. Not surprisingly, the cuisine offers local specialities that pair well with the region’s famous sparkling wine.
Many of the Champagne houses also offer tasting plates of cheeses and other local products.
See more Francy That! suggestions for Places To Go.
Information
LOCATION: Champagne region in the Grand Est.
DISTANCE FROM PARIS: 140 kilometres (87 miles) to the east.
POPULATION: 24,000+
NEAREST AIRPORT: Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport (CDG), 150 km (93 miles) to the southwest.
NEAREST TRAIN STATION: Gare d’Épernay.
TOURIST INFORMATION: 7 Avenue de Champagne
MARKETS: Saturday morning market in the town centre.
MUST SEE: Avenue de Champagne; Champagne houses; Chateau Perrier; Hautvillers.
