Cycle the Wine Route of Champagne

Cycle the Wine Route of Champagne

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6 Days From

$2060

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Tour Overview

Embark on a captivating cycling journey through the heart of France's Champagne region with the "Cycle the Wine Route of Champagne" tour. This enchanting adventure takes you from the historic city of Reims to the charming town of Epernay, exploring the world-renowned vineyards and picturesque wine villages along the way. Enjoy luxurious stays in 4-star hotels, with Reims offering a contemporary retreat complete with a heated indoor pool, and Epernay providing a taste of 18th-century elegance. Cycle through the scenic Montagne de Reims Regional Natural Park, visit the iconic Verzenay lighthouse, and discover the legendary village of Hautvillers, home to Dom Perignon. Delight in tastings of "Blanc de Noirs" and "Blanc de Blancs" champagnes, and explore the prestigious Avenue de Champagne. With high-quality bikes, GPS routes, and local expertise, this tour promises an unforgettable exploration of Champagne's sparkling heritage. ...more ...less

Highlights

  • Explore Reims and Epernay, the capitals of Champagne.

  • Discover the renowned vineyards and quaint wine villages of Champagne.

  • Cycle through the Montagne de Reims Regional Natural Park.

  • Visit the Verzenay lighthouse overlooking the vineyards.

  • Walk down the Avenue de Champagne in Epernay, surrounded by famous Champagne Houses.

  • Learn about the history of Champagne in Dom Perignon's village, Hautvillers.

  • Ride through the Cote des Blancs, known for its Chardonnay vineyards.

Itinerary

Expand All

Day 1 : Arrival In Reims

Location: Reims

Accommodation Name: hotel

Meals Included: Breakfast

Only 30 mins from Charles de Gaulle airport, you will arrive at Champagne Ardenne TGV station. In option, we can organise a transfer to Reims city centre. Wander in the Capital of Champagne, enjoy a tasting in one of the most prestigious house of Champagne and visit the Cathedral where were organised all the coronations of the French Kings. ...more ...less

Day 2 : At Reims

Location: Reims

Accommodation Name: hotel

Meals Included: Breakfast

From Reims and its prestigious Champagne houses, ride to the massif of Saint-Thierry and enjoy a beautiful viewpoint from Trigny, a flower-filled village with medieval ramparts. Continue through forest and vineyards. Immerge yourself in the origin of this divine nectar and stop for wonderful views or alternatively for a tasting.

Day 3 : Reims - Epernay

Location: Epernay

Accommodation Name: hotel

Meals Included: Breakfast

Ride to the Montagne de Reims Regional Natural Park, a natural gem dotted with charming wine-making villages. Follow the prestigious touristic route of Champagne, passing by the wine villages. Stop at the Verzenay lighthouse, which watches over a swathe of vineyards. You will end on the new cycling path, along the river, before reaching Epernay.



This town is entirely surrounded by vines. Walk down the Avenue de Champagne, with its magnificent mansion facades and opulent middle-class homes occupied by famous Champagne Houses, and you can see why Epernay competes for the title of 'Capital of Champagne'. Here, are miles of underground galleries and millions of bottles of preciously kept champagne away from light and heat... In Epernay, cellar visits to the largest champagne houses are among the highlights of the tour... And they sparkle with stories and expertise.

Day 4 : Loop To Hautvillers

Location: Hautvillers

Accommodation Name: hotel

Meals Included: Breakfast

Today, you will learn about 'Blanc de Noirs' champagne which is made using only black grapes (Pinot Noir and/or Pinot Meunier). Two grape varieties with darker skin and white flesh.



Follow the cycling routes bordered with vineyards, offering magnificent landscapes over the undulating Marne Valley, until Dom Perignon's village: Hautvillers ! It is here that the legend of Champagne was born, thanks to the Benedictine monk Dom Perignon, who was said to have accidentally invented effervescent wine at the end of the 17th century. He's buried in the abbey of Hautvillers, leaving his name to a vintage produced by a famous Champagne House.



Continue through quaint wine villages like Fleury la Riviere or Oeuilly.

Day 5 : Loop To Cote De Blanc Vineyards

Location: Côte des Blancs

Accommodation Name: hotel

Meals Included: Breakfast

The taste of day will be 'Blanc de Blancs' Champagne using chardonnay only, a white grape. The Cote des Blancs and its chalky soil is a promised land for the elegant chardonnay. Ride along some of the classified Grand Cru villages and pedal on the slopes producing Chardonnay grapes. Discover wine villages nested between the vineyard and the lush forest: Avize, Cramant, Mesnil-sur-Oger.

Day 6 : Leave Epernay

Location: Epernay

Meals Included: Breakfast

The tour ends in Epernay.

What's Included

  • 5 nights twin centre in 4-star hotels

    Enjoy a comfortable stay with 5 nights accommodation in 4-star hotels.

  • All breakfasts

    Start each day with a delicious breakfast included in your stay.

  • Management by your local Headwater-appointed agent

    Benefit from the management and support of a local Headwater-appointed agent throughout your tour.

  • GPS Route directions and maps

    Receive GPS route directions and maps to guide you through the scenic wine routes.

  • High quality bikes

    High-quality bikes are provided for your cycling tour.

What's Not Included

  • Travel insurance

    Travel insurance is not included and must be arranged separately.

  • Visas & vaccinations

    Visas and vaccinations are not included and are the responsibility of the traveler.

  • Single accommodation (available on request - compulsory supplement)

    Single accommodation is not included but can be requested for an additional supplement.

  • Solo traveller supplement (where only one person is travelling on a departure date)

    A solo traveler supplement applies if only one person is traveling on a departure date.

Food


Accommodation

In Reims: The hotel welcomes you in its pared-back décor that harmoniously blends contemporary lines with stylish furnishings, all picked out in colourful and contrasting hues, to create a refined and soothing atmosphere. Hotel with heated indoor pool. In Epernay: The Hotel is ideally situated in the center of Epernay, established in a building of 18th century style architecture. The interior of the Hotel was entirely renovated between 2012 and 2016. A few steps from the Hotel you will find the magnificent Avenue de Champagne, where there lies, hidden, 110 kilometers of cellars (listed in the World Heritage Site - UNESCO). ...more ...less

Check out our Q&As

  • What type of bicycles are provided for the tour?

    High-quality bikes are provided for the cycling tour through the scenic wine routes of Champagne.

  • Are transfers included in the tour package?

    Transfers from Champagne Ardenne TGV station to Reims city centre can be organized as an optional service.

  • What kind of accommodation is provided during the tour?

    The tour includes stays in 4-star hotels in Reims and Epernay. The hotel in Reims features a contemporary design with a heated indoor pool, while the hotel in Epernay is situated in a renovated 18th-century style building near the Avenue de Champagne.

  • What meals are included in the tour?

    All breakfasts are included in the tour package.

  • What is the significance of Hautvillers in the tour?

    Hautvillers is known as the village where the legend of Champagne was born, thanks to the Benedictine monk Dom Perignon, who is said to have accidentally invented effervescent wine. He is buried in the abbey of Hautvillers.

  • What can participants expect to learn about Champagne during the tour?

    Participants will learn about different types of Champagne, including 'Blanc de Noirs' made from black grapes and 'Blanc de Blancs' made from Chardonnay. The tour includes visits to wine villages and offers insights into the Champagne-making process.

  • What happens if I need to change my holiday date once I’ve booked?

    If you wish to make any changes to your booking, particularly if you need to alter any flights booked through us, please let us know as soon as possible. There is a booking or flight amendment fee of £40 per change and flight amendments often incur extra airline costs depending on the changes to be made and if the ticket has been issued or not.

  • How long has the tour company been trading?

    Exodus has been trading since 1974

  • What documents will I receive before I travel?

    Your final joining instructions and flight details, if booked with us, will then be sent out 2 to 3 weeks before departure. If you would like a hard copy posted, or if you require these any earlier, please contact the customer operations team. We advise that if you are booking connecting travel before receiving these, please ensure you leave plenty of time.

  • Do you operate a “single share” option and how does it work?

    Travellers are welcome to opt to share a room with a tour member of the same gender for no additional charge. If you'd like your own room, we can request a single supplement so that you will have your own room throughout.

  • Can I join the tour once it has departed?

    You are welcome to meet the group after the tour has departed however there is no reduction in rate for joining a tour after the departure date.

Reviews of this operator

Gergana Racheva  

Very helpful and prompt service

06-Jan-2023

Very helpful and prompt service. I called to check for an already booked trip and once we sorted this, the agent was ready to help me with another booking as well. He actually waited for me to book my flight tickets, answered all my questions, informed me of all my options. Exodus is a tour company I am using regularly due to the quality of their trips, ease of booking and helpfulness of their customer service team ...more ...less

Trustpilot
Tim Hardy  

Stunning walking. Walking the Amalfi Coast

04-Nov-2021

This trip takes you through the most beautiful parts of the Mediterranean walking with a guide and also discovering the wonders of Pompeii and Vesuvius. The hotel had a nice feel as family run, spotless and comfortable rooms, we were well looked after for breakfasts and dinner each day, and the barmen fixed some mean cocktails for us.! ...more ...less

paul green (Google Reviewer)  

Went on a tour of...

14-Jan-2022

Went on a tour of morocco in October and loved it ,mohamed the tour guide was excellent, probably go with exodus to India next year

Paul Green  

It's amazing what you can do in a week! Cycling the Dalmatian Coast.

08-Oct-2021

This holiday was extremely enjoyable. The itinerary is well planned and the route takes you to a variety of destinations. Not having been to Croatia before I didn't know there were so many beautiful small islands and I loved the ferry and catarmaran rides. The coastal route we took was dramatic and the World Heritage sites in Split and Dubrovnik very interesting and worth visiting. The Adriatic Sea was warm, blue and inviting, good for swimming even in October. The hotels we stayed in varied in size from medium to large. I particularly liked the one just outside Dubrovnik as I had a sea view. Tourists were plentiful in Split and Dubrovnik but in the other places we stayed there was an end of season feel and it was quiet on the roads and in the resorts. The food was good and our guide was always able to recommend a nice restaurant for our evening meal. The weather in October was good for cycling - not hot, partly cloudy most days and one day it rained! ...more ...less

Roger Wells (Google Reviewer)  

We have just returned from...

12-Feb-2025

We have just returned from a 2 week Exodus trip to Egypt, Alexandria to Aswan. We had a great time, enjoyable company, with an excellent guide, Sayed. All worked out as described. The 3 day Red Sea extension was relaxing. Even the train journey, Cairo to Aswan, was a great part of the experience ...more ...less

Mrs Y Morrison  

Fabulous company and trip

06-Jan-2023

We went overland from Cape Town to Zimbabwe through Botswana and Namibia. What a fantastic trip. Our first time with Exodus although we have travelled extensively around the world. We would highly recommend this company for such a brilliant trip - we got everything and more all at a good price. Thanks to everyone involved. We are looking at our next trip! ...more ...less

Trustpilot
Alison Payton (Google Reviewer)  

I've done 8 trips in...

17-May-2023

I've done 8 trips in the last 14 years with Exodus, and have been rewarded with a 10% discount on all future bookings. I feel very confident that I'll receive pleasant, efficient service, and have the unusual holiday experience that I'm looking for each time. I've trekked to the top of snow-capped peaks, wild-camped in the desert, seen amazing spectacles of nature, visited 4 capital cities in a week, and learned about local culture and experienced local hospitality in a way that I simply wouldn't on a conventional holiday. The quality of the accommodation and guides can vary, but this is mainly down to cultural differences and things that Exodus can't control. I've only ever complained once, my complaint was taken seriously, and I was sent a discount voucher - you can't say fairer than that. I remain a loyal customer. ...more ...less

David (Google Reviewer)  

Exodus are generally a good...

21-Aug-2024

Exodus are generally a good travel company. Things tend to run smoothly and trips well organised. Their customers tend to be at retirement age. Trips are a bit overpriced. I would also avoid trips in Europe, as these often focus on more coffee stops and meals, rather than walking. I would also recommend making sure your guide records any accidents you have, hopefully not applicable. I had one on Sierra de Aitana which the guide saw and knew about, but he and Exodus said it never happened when I followed up after the trip. I wasn’t putting in a claim, just suggested a safety improvement. They have since apologised and acknowledged this as an error. They are a good reliable option for outside of Europe trips. ...more ...less

Jacquelyn Moore (Google Reviewer)  

Food came quickly. Staff very...

07-Mar-2024

Food came quickly. Staff very friendly and polite . However the chef or person preparing the food did not seem to read the menu! If it says a meal should come with vegetables, you should not have to ask for them. They served shepherds pie with garlic bread! The munchies ice cream sundae said it should come in a glass with a flake but came in a little bowl with just a few munchies! When asking the staff were happy to replace and correct but customer should get what they order and what menu says first time round!! ...more ...less

johanna leonor (Google Reviewer)  

If you like to be...

07-Sep-2023

If you like to be mistreated Exodus is perfect for you. If you enjoy terrible choices for hotels and pseudo restaurants Exodus is perfect for you. Careless about their clients and loveless about their propositions. Exodus has been a dissatisfaction and disappointment about every dealing i and my group have had with him. Especially a man called Simone who just cares about the money he can get from you couldn’t care less about service. ...more ...less

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Book with Confidence

  • Transfer as credit to Future Tours

    Exodus Adventure Travels allows you to transfer existing payments to a future tour to avoid cancellation fees if you can't travel and inform exodus adventure travels, 43 days before departure.

  • Low Deposit

    Exodus Adventure Travels requires a minimum deposit of 25% or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 90 days before departure.

  • Cancellation Policy

    We don't charge a cancellation fee, here is a summary of exodus adventure travels charges.

    Up to 70 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of deposit.

Cycle the Wine Route of Champagne

6 Days Starting in Reims, France and ending in Epernay, France

Visiting: Reims, Epernay, Hautvillers, Côte des Blancs

Tour operator:

Exodus Adventure Travels

Tour code:

C05CH

Group Type:

Independent

Guide Type:

Self Guided

Physical rating:

Easy & Moderate

Age range:

12-99

Trip Styles:

Luxury, Small Group

Activities:

Cycling, Sightseeing

From: $2060 (USD)

NB: Prices correct on 22-Feb-2025 but subject to change.

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