The Vignobles & Découvertes label aims to provide quality services and visits catering to wine tourism. The label appeals to a customer base that appreciates the world of wine without necessarily being connoisseurs, and offers a range of quality services: accommodation, cultural sites, leisure activities, cellar tours, restaurants, exploration of natural spaces, events and more.
Six destinations in Champagne have been awarded the label: Massif de Saint Thierry, vallée de l'Ardre, Montagne de Reims, Côte des Bar, Coteaux du Sézannais, Coteaux Sud d'Epernay et Côte des Blancs and Vallée de la Marne.
Destination: Vallée de la Marne
The region can be explored by following the Champagne Trail, which begins at the famous Avenue de Champagne, in Épernay, the historical capital of champagne.
The landscape of the Marne Valley has been almost entirely shaped by man, who for centuries has engaged in activities here which are determined by the nature of the soil and subsoil, the terrain and the water. The vineyards, planted mainly with pinot meunier, owe their rapid expansion to the River Marne, which was the main trading route at the time and offered good conditions for transporting the wine.
Today, this vast expanse of vineyards forms a geometric patchwork, in subtle shades that change with the seasons. This undulating landscape is dotted with villages, whose winding, narrow streets and preserved heritage are there waiting to be explored.
This region offers the following 70 tourism services:
- 25 wine cellars, including the Mercier champagne house in Épernay
- 9 places to stay, including the Royal Champagne hotel in Champillon
- 12 restaurants, including Les Grains d’Argent in Dizy
- 6 heritage sites, including guided tours of Hautvillers
- 10 leisure activities, including boat trips aboard the Champagne Vallée in Cumières
- 3 events, including the Fêtes Henri IV in Ay
- 1 tourist office in Épernay
- 4 receptive tour operators