Plan your Champagne trip
Driving the Route du Champagne: a practical itinerary
The Route Touristique du Champagne is not one single road to finish in a day. It is a network of routes through very different vineyard areas. The pleasure lies in choosing one section, stopping in a few villages and leaving enough time for lunch and views.
A first loop that makes sense
Start in Épernay, climb towards Hautvillers for the view across the Marne valley, continue through Aÿ and then cross the forested Montagne de Reims. Bouzy, Verzenay and Verzy are natural stops, but you do not need to visit every village.
Do not turn the route into a checklist
The official routes cover hundreds of kilometres. One area per day is enough if you want to meet a producer, walk through a village and sit down for lunch. The Côte des Bar deserves its own stay around Troyes rather than a rushed detour from Reims.
Driving and tasting do not mix
Agree before departure who will not taste. Spittoons are normal at professional tastings, but they do not make an afternoon of repeated visits suitable for driving. A chauffeured activity is the better choice when everyone wants to participate.
What works well
- Download the route before reception becomes patchy
- Carry water and protect purchased bottles from heat
- Confirm appointments; do not rely on every door being open
Updated 30 September 2026