Exploring the sparkling treasures of Champagne with friends

Before setting off on your bikes along the country lanes, take the time to explore the narrow streets of Reims, admire the Art Déco-style buildings and some of the must-sees including the Cathedral of Notre Dame, the Basilica and ancient Abbey of Saint-Rémi. But the highlight of this escapade with friends is visiting the wine cellars of Champagne, national treasures of France! 

Let’s go! Your first stop is La Maison Veuve Clicquot. Madame Clicquot was the first woman to ever manage a House of Champagne. You can visit the wine cellars built inside the Crayères chalk tunnels, listed a UNESCO World Heritage Site. You’ll have the opportunity to taste some of the estate’s production at the end of the tour. 

After that, the Champagne International Residence Centre is a multicultural environment and a great place to come and meet people and maybe add to your group! Highly recommended with friends. They also provide accommodation there.
 

This is where things start to get serious. You’ll be crossing through several villages: Bezannes, Sacy, Chaumuzy and Cuchery. As you ride along this quiet country lane with Champagne vineyards all around you, you’ll be able to really embrace the calming and revitalising atmosphere. On the way, if you or someone else in your group wants to visit a wine cellar, there are plenty of possibilities, including Champagne Damien-Buffet, a family-run winegrowing estate in Sacy, and from there you can head to the Château de Sacy, a little epicurean refuge and a magical place in the midst of the vines where you can get something to eat and drink. 

Once you arrive in Châtillon-sur-Marne, it’s time to take your first group photo around the  Statue of Pope Urban II which was erected in tribute to the only pope in history from the Champagne region. This statue is a whopping 33 metres high! 

A few kilometres further on, stop off at the wine cellars of Champagne Mathieu-Nicolas SCEV Moussé, a winegrowing estate spanning 12 generations, and a place where you can come and discover their production and learn about their legacy. 

After this first day of cycling, we recommend staying at Le Gite des Sablons. You can choose from their individual rooms or small apartments to sleep several people.
 

Today, you’ll be cycling towards Epernay along the V52 greenway route! This 92-kilometre-long cycle route passes alongside the river Marne at several points, making this ride as a group all the more bucolic. In the surrounding area of Epernay (Fleury la Rivière, Hautvillers), the rustic scenery is worth a detour so you can take some photos as a souvenir of your trip. 

When you arrive in Epernay, don’t miss the Avenue de Champagne lined with private manor houses, each one even more magnificent than the last. Head to the Museum of Champagne Wine and Regional Archaeology in the stunning Château Perrier to learn all about the history of this national treasure. Who was listening when they said that Epernay is the world capital of Champagne thanks to the unmissable Hautvillers Abbey, famous for one of its monks, Dom Pérignon? You’ll find out more over the next few days… In the meantime, make your way to the Cave aux Coquillages museum with an underground geological exploration into the original limestone caves! 

In the evening, it’s time to relax as a group in the Jacuzzi at the bed and breakfast, Le Corrigot.
 

It’s time to make your way to Châlons-en-Champagne. On the way, you’ll come to the village of Aÿ-Champagne where the historic hillsides have been listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. 

Then it’s time to awaken the senses at Pressoria, a museum with an interactive and enjoyable visitor’s experience on the theme of Champagne. 

Another prestigious wine cellar is Billecart Salmon in Aÿ-Champagne, a historic winegrowing estate close to the Montagne de Reims, the Côte des Blancs and the Vallée de la Marne. 

A short ride from there, stop off at the smaller Champagne Lamiable estate in the village of Tours-sur-Marne, which boasts the 'Grand Cru’ classification for the Côte des Noirs vineyard. 

If you’re feeling peckish, the chef from the Comptoir de la Licorne concocts top-quality dishes in a friendly atmosphere. 

Spend the night in a perfect location in the town centre of Châlons-en- Champagne, at Le Jardin d’Hiver, one of the most beautiful buildings in this town.
 

Today, you’ll be riding to Vitry-le-François. At the beginning of the route, you can take a detour via Epine, a charming little village that boasts a masterpiece of Gothic-style art, the Basilica of Our Lady of l’Epine. 

As you arrive in Vitry-le-François, you should pass through the Porte du Pont, which is a stunning entrance into the village. 

There are two wine cellars to visit along the way! The first one is Champagne Joseph Perrier which is at your departure location, and the Gallo-Roman wine cellars across one level make this a rather exceptional place to visit. Or you could take a short detour to Vitry-en-Perthois to visit Champagne Antoine Chevalier, an independent winegrower with an estate at the heart of the Montagne de Reims Regional Natural Park.

For an evening meal together as a group, you’ll love the delicious homemade cuisine at The France. And on this fifth day, how about another spa evening at the Hôtel la Poste?
 

Your adventure in the great outdoors continues past lakes, farmland, meadows and vineyards. There are plenty of wine cellars to visit on this Côteaux Vitryats loop tour. 

You’ll pass by the village of Changy and Champagne Menu-Jacquier , where there’s an original tour of the Loge Vigneronne to do with friends. After that, we recommend stopping by the wine cellars of Champagne Bernard Lonclas, one of the most well-known references for Champagne. 

At the end of this route, you’ll cross the village of Saint-Amand-sur-Fion, one of the most beautiful villages in France. 

To enjoy dinner in a welcoming atmosphere, head to Aulnay-l’Aître to the restaurant Le Chatel Gourmet. This is the perfect place to taste local farm products, and then you can stay the night at the Le Clos de l’Agneau bed & breakfast.
 

There are no more visits to wine cellars on the cards for this last day around the Lac du Der, one of the biggest lakes in Europe! Why not swap your bike for an electric boat to explore the lake or relax and observe the wildlife around the lake. 

For lunch or dinner overlooking the lake, come to the Comptoir JOA du Lac du Der brasserie to enjoy a meal, and the casino there is an added bonus. Who can resist a game of Black Jack or poker! 

In the evening, head to Les Cabanes du Lac du Der for an original overnight stay up in the trees, and the perfect end to this fantastic week of new discoveries and unforgettable memories.
 

Further reading: 

8 caves qui font pétiller la Champagne

6 cocons pour dormir au milieu des vignes de Champagne