Walking The Vineyards of Champagne - Deluxe

Walking The Vineyards of Champagne - Deluxe

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5 Days From

$1670

Walking The Vineyards of Champagne - Deluxe

5 Days Starting and ending in Epernay, France

Visiting: Épernay, Hautvillers, Ay, Verzy

Tour operator:

Exodus Adventure Travels

Tour code:

W04CU

Group Type:

Independent

Guide Type:

Self Guided

Physical rating:

Easy & Moderate

Age range:

14-99

Activities:

Sightseeing

From: $1670 (USD)

NB: Prices correct on 04-Feb-2025 but subject to change.

This tour is no longer available, please see similar tours below or send an enquiry

Tour Overview

Embark on a luxurious journey through the heart of France's Champagne region with the "Walking The Vineyards of Champagne - Deluxe" tour. Discover the enchanting town of Epernay, renowned as the capital of Champagne, where you'll explore magnificent mansions and ancient wine cellars. Stroll through historic wine villages and lush vineyards, learning about the world-famous Champagne production. Stay in a charming 3-star boutique hotel, perfectly situated between Epernay's town center and the iconic Avenue de Champagne. Enjoy leisurely walks to Hautvillers, Ay, and Verzy, where you'll uncover the secrets of Champagne's rich history and taste exquisite varieties like 'Blanc de Noirs' and 'Blanc de Blancs'. This tour offers a perfect blend of relaxation and exploration, with all breakfasts, walking transfers, and detailed route maps included, ensuring a seamless and memorable experience in the picturesque Champagne region.

Highlights

  • Explore Epernay, the capital of Champagne, with its magnificent mansions and ancient wine cellars.

  • Discover the vineyards and historic wine villages producing world-renowned Champagne.

  • Walk down the Avenue de Champagne in Epernay, home to famous Champagne Houses and underground galleries.

  • Visit Hautvillers, where the legend of Champagne was born, and learn about 'Blanc de Noirs' champagne.

  • Experience the Ay Loop, with its prestigious champagne houses and opportunities to taste pinot meunier.

  • Explore Verzy Natural Park, home to the unique 'Fau' beech trees and taste 'Blanc de Blancs' Champagne.

Itinerary

Expand All

Day 1 : Arrival In Epernay

Location: Épernay

Accommodation Name: Hotel Jean Moet

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.

You stay at Hotel Jean Moet****

Day 2 : Hautvillers

Location: Hautvillers

Accommodation Name: Hotel Jean Moet

Meals Included: Breakfast

Transfer to 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.



Along your walk between forest and vineyards, 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. Pass the village of Romery, a quaint village with streets bordered by flowers.

You stay at Hotel Jean Moet**** (Breakfast included)

Day 3 : Ay Loop

Location: Ay

Accommodation Name: Hotel Jean Moet

Meals Included: Breakfast

A transfer takes you to the start of your walk at Ay. Located at the fringe of the vineyards, and headquarters to several prestigious champagne houses such as Veuve Clicquot and Bollinger, Aÿ makes the transition between hillside slopes and the river, between the Montagne de Reims and the suburbs of Epernay.



Discover a high Gothic-style church and wood-frame houses, including one that is reputed to have served as Henri IV's fermenting room. Follow the former Roman way between forest and vineyards in the Marne Valley. Enjoy numerous opportunities to taste the pinot meunier which brings its full fruity flavour to rose champagnes.

You stay at Hotel Jean Moet**** (Breakfast included)

Day 4 : Verzy Natural Park

Location: Verzy

Accommodation Name: Hotel Jean Moet

Meals Included: Breakfast

Transfer to Verzy where the forest boasts the largest concentration of 'Fau' beech trees anywhere in the world. The origin of this rare tree, with its especially twisted, knotted branches, remains a mystery to botanists.



The especially slow-growing, long living Fau beech trees greatly contribute to singularity of the the Montagne de Reims Regional Park. After your walk, don't miss the chance to taste 'Blanc de Blancs' Champagne using chardonnay only, a white grape locally produced in this village.

You stay at Hotel Jean Moet**** (Breakfast included)

Day 5 : Leave Epernay

Location: Épernay

Meals Included: Breakfast

Today marks the end of your adventure as you leave Epernay.

What's Included

  • All Breakfasts

    All breakfasts are included during your stay.

  • Walking transfers

    Walking transfers to various locations such as Hautvillers, Ay, and Verzy are included, allowing you to explore the vineyards and historic sites of the Champagne region at your own pace.

  • Route Directions and maps

    Route directions and maps are provided to help you navigate the 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

    Single accommodation is not included but is available on request with a compulsory supplement.

  • Solo traveller supplement

    A solo traveller supplement applies when only one person is traveling on a departure date.

Food


Accommodation

Stay in the heart of the Champagne region at a 3-star boutique hotel in Epernay, featuring a colourful contemporary urban style. The hotel is ideally located between the town centre and Avenue de Champagne, offering easy access to prestigious champagne houses and their cellars.

Check out our Q&As

  • What type of accommodation is provided during the tour?

    The tour includes accommodation in a 3-star boutique hotel located in the heart of Epernay. The hotel features a colourful contemporary urban style and is situated between the town centre and the Avenue de Champagne.

  • What can I expect to see in Epernay?

    In Epernay, you can walk down the Avenue de Champagne, known for its magnificent mansion facades and opulent homes occupied by famous Champagne Houses. The town is surrounded by vineyards and offers cellar visits to the largest champagne houses, which are among the highlights of the tour.

  • What is special about Hautvillers?

    Hautvillers is known as the birthplace of Champagne, thanks to the Benedictine monk Dom Perignon, who is said to have accidentally invented effervescent wine. The village is also known for its 'Blanc de Noirs' champagne, made using only black grapes.

  • What will I experience in Ay?

    In Ay, you will find the headquarters of several prestigious champagne houses such as Veuve Clicquot and Bollinger. The area features a high Gothic-style church and wood-frame houses, including one reputed to have served as Henri IV's fermenting room. You can also enjoy tasting pinot meunier, which is known for its fruity flavour in rose champagnes.

  • What is unique about Verzy Natural Park?

    Verzy Natural Park is home to the largest concentration of 'Fau' beech trees in the world, known for their twisted, knotted branches. The park is part of the Montagne de Reims Regional Park, and after your walk, you can taste 'Blanc de Blancs' Champagne made from chardonnay grapes.

  • Are meals included in the tour?

    All breakfasts are included in the tour package.

  • 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

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.!

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!

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!

Trustpilot
Ann B (Google Reviewer)  

We had a week walking...

08-Oct-2024

We had a week walking and wine in the Duro valley with two local guides Louis and Theresa. They were both exceptional, knowledgeable, professional and funny. Our group of 11 had a great time. This was a premium tour. Our 4 star hotels were both well located clean and with great views. We had several local meals arranged by our guides with local people cooking for us. We did not meet any other walkers during our hikes only two shepherds. I would certainly recommend this tour to anyone interested in the local produce and wine. We both felt as we had learnt a lot about Portugal during this tour. We will use Exodus again. One of our group had done 30 tours with Exodus over the years. Quite an endorsement.

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.

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.

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!!

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.

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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.