Champagne Highlights

Reims

Reims has 4 UNESCO listed World Heritage Sites. Notre-Dame Cathedral A masterpiece of Gothic art, the Cathedral of Our Lady was started in 1211. It was the cathedral of coronations for French kings in memory of the baptism of Clovis by Saint Remi, probably on Christmas Day 498. The left portal on the west front carries the famous Smiling Angel statue.

Epernay

Epernay is at the heart of the world's most prestigious vineyards. 20,000 hectares of vineyards stretch all around you, whilst under your feet lie 200 million bottles of champagne ageing in 120 kilometres of cellars carved out of the chalk soil over hundreds of years. The most famous champagne producers amongst the many grand houses and mansions lining the Avenue de Champagne allow Epernay justly to lay claim to the coveted title of the Capital of Champagne.

Hautvillers

Hautvillers, was founded in 658 and is known as beeing the craddle of Champagne. At the age of 28 years old Dom Perignon was appointed cellarmaster at the Abbey of Hautvillers. He is often attributed with the invention of Champagne, even if there are earlier recorded instances of the production of sparkling wines by the Champagne method. Dom Perignon is the prestige cuvée of the giant Moët et Chandon Champagne house. It is named after the famous monk, who was the most important early influence in the development of Champagne into the sparkling wine we know today. It was not the first Champagne to use his name, as early in the last century small proprietaire-recoltants (farmer-growers) at Hautvillers, employed it for their wine. Unfortunately for them they did not register the name, Dom Perignon, as a trademark.

Moët et Chandon

Welcome to Trianon your entry door to Moët & Chandon's extraordinary History. Jean Remy Moët is said to have built the Trianon and Chandon hôtels from 1805 onwards to host Napoléon and his numerous entourage. Today, the colonnades and marble floors still echo the footsteps of their illustrious guests who succeeded themselves over the centuries.