After breakfast, you will join a guided small group tour of Reims, City of Coronations.
Your day will start at 09.15am by sightseeing the vibrant City Centre, a place full of charm, layers of unique history and regional culinary delights.
Then, enjoy a guided tour and tasting at world famous Grande Maison de Champagne Veuve Clicquot* (Visit includes: Discovery tour with 1 glass of Champagne). Veuve Clicquot-Ponsardin is a Champagne House founded in 1772 by Philippe Clicquot and grew to fame thanks to Madame Barbe Nicole Clicquot Ponsardin. You will learn about this young widow who pursued a vision, built an empire and not only became a legend in her own time but still helps women entrepreneurs to this day - “the Grande Dame of Champagne". Take a journey into the heart of this House, its heritage, its savoir-faire. And discover its unique Roman chalk-cellars and their process of making Champagne. At the end of the tour, enjoy a tasting of one glass of Brut Yellow Label cuvée.
Continue with a guided tour of the Cathedral of Reims, a Unesco World Heritage Site. The 13th century Notre-Dame de Reims Cathedral is one of Europe's most important Gothic structures. You will be captivated by the enormity, the hypnotizing stained glass windows and the exceptionally rich statuary.
Then we'll leave the city and drive through the Grand Cru vineyards on the Mountain of Reims, where the Scenic Route of Champagne winds its way between fields of barley, vinyards, forests and picturesque villages such as Verzy, Verzenay and Mailly. Realm of the Pinot Noir varietal, the Mountain of Reims is known for its special "terroir" that gives Champagne much of its power and character. We'll take a tranquil, picturesque pause in such a vineyard to take it all in with our own five senses.
In the heart of the Champagne’s Vineyards, you will be welcomed at a beautiful Champagne Grower's Family Estate. More that 4000 family winemakers contribute to the prestige of Champagne, keeping the Tradition alive from generation to generation with a common goal: the true expression of Champagne. After lunch, we'll stroll to the production site to see how Champagne is made: the press, the winery's vats and barrels, the chalk cellar, the labelling machine. The lovely afternoon will finish with another tasting of 2 glasses of different Champagne wines from the same Family Grower, and a glass of their Ratafia (a sweet liquor made with Champagne brandy mixed with grape juice and aged in barrel). After heartfelt goodbyes we'll gently return you to the city of Reims around 5.30pm.
Overnight stay in Reims at Hotel de la Paix.
*If an unforeseen circumstance arises affecting the Veuve Clicquot tour, it may be replaced by one at the House of Mumm, Pommery or Taittinger.
Parking spot included.