TRIP FINDER
Discover the BEST of the Champagne region, cycling amongst the bubbles........
2020 per person price
| CLASSIC TOUR | 820 € |
| CLASSIC + TOUR | 1190 € |
| DELUXE TOUR | 1460 € |
* Price based on double room occupancy - please contact us for details on single room supplements
| CLASSIC PACKAGE | |
| 4 Nights Hotel de la Cloche in Epernay | www.hotel-la-cloche.com |
| CLASSIC + PACKAGE | |
| 4 Nights Hotel Jean Moet in Epernay | www.hoteljeanmoet.com |
| DELUXE PACKAGE | |
| 4 Nights La Villa Eugene in Epernay | www.villa-eugene.com |
Upon your arrival, you can settle in to your hotel. Depending on your arrival time, you may have time to wander up the Avenue du Champagne, the celebrated street lined by the many Grand Champagne Houses. At the end of the afternoon, our Trip Manager will fit you with your bikes, and answer any questions you may have about your trip package. Dinner is included tonight at an excellent gourmet restaurant, right in the heart of Epernay, and an easy walk from your hotel.
The Cote de Blanc region is one of the great sites of the Champagne vineyards. It is about 15 km long, and, as its name suggests (“blanc” means white in French) it is concentrated solely on the Chardonnay grape, which loves this area’s chalky soil – bringing out the grape’s aromas and minerality. This loop ride passes through many of the best villages, such as Pierry (boasting the largest collection of 18th century manor houses of any village surrounding Epernay) Avize, and Chouilly, as well as beautiful chateaux, like Taittinger’s Chateau de la Marquetterie, or Moet’s Chateau de Saran. Lots of possible tastings along the way!
The Cote de Noirs is a little less well-known than the Cote de Blancs, but is easily as beautiful and interesting. This is the region that the red grape (giving white juice) Pinot noir grows, loving the limestone rock and calcareous clay soil here. The route takes you through several villages renowned for their wines and wine houses : Ay itself, and Bouzy with its unique red wine, and Ambonnay. You can also detour to see the Château in Louvois (from the outside) and can admire the beautiful Benedictine church in Avenay Val d’Or.
Your final loop ride takes you first through Hautvillers, the resting place of Dom Perignon, the Benedictine monk who is widely recognised as the inventor of Champagne technique winemaking in the 1600s. Wander the lovely little village, and give homage in front of the Abbey Church where he lays. Continue from there on a lovely ride following the vineyard villages parallel to the Marne River and canal. You can choose to follow the village route, tasting along the way, or follow the more easy-going canal bike path for a large section back towards Epernay for your final night. Your dinner is again included, at one of our favourite restaurants.
Departure after breakfast. Bon Voyage!
