Ardennes, Aube, Haute-Marne, Marne

About the region
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The Region: Most visitors to Champagne go there because of the famous sparkling wine. There are hundreds of small vineyards offering tasters, and many people head for the region to find the right bubbly for their imminent special occasions, or simply to taste a lot of the tipple.

Champagne wine has been a prized luxury for centuries, but only started being sparkling at the end of the 17th century, when it was transported in casks to England. A secondary fermentation caused by the journey made the wine fizzy, and the English, discovering that the bubbles were a good thing, started making it that way on purpose. Then Dom Pérignon, a blind French monk, invented a method for bottling the bubbles.

Other than wine, it can be difficult to find out what the Champagne region has to offer, because the wine is the focus for tourist boards and brochures. However, the region has a long commercial and religious history, which has resulted in impressive architecture and art. There are numerous beautiful buildings and churches to discover, and charming towns to visit. Troyes is off the beaten track, and has a medieval timber-framed town centre, which is well worth a visit. There are also lakes, rivers, canals and forests to explore in the countryside.


Weather: Long, wet winters and cool summers mean that the Champagne region is only just within the climate limits of wine production. They also mean that carrying a waterproof around is a good idea, that the countryside is always green, and that the summers are less fierce than in southern regions.

Gastronomy:The interesting, smokey andouillettes de Troyes (tripe sausages) are not to everyones’ taste, but other delicious dishes include potée champenoise (like pot au feu), and meals made with local game. Champagne also produces wonderful cheeses; Cendre de Champagne, Chaource, Ricey Cendre, Chaumont and Landres. Landres has a dip in it, to fill with champagne or marc.

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Something different in the Champagne-Ardenne

Expatriates Sandra and Grant Endersby offer luxury self-catering accommodation at le Manoir de Maffrécourt in the Champagne Ardenne. The Endersbys pride themselves on listening to and acting on the feedback offered by their visitors, as a result of which have come Champagne tasting evenings and some delicious home-cooked meals...more...

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Cycling in Champagne-Ardenne

From Charleville-Mézières you can take a boat, walk or cycle to Givet on the Belgian border. The new purpose built cycle path, La Voie Verte, takes a fabulous flat route by the Meuse through forests and riverside villages, in parts cutting through a steep sided valley..more...

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Watersports holiday in Champagne-Ardenne

It may be most famous for its bubbly booze, but the Champagne-Ardenne region is also perfect for some back-to-nature adventures. Gina Dyer gets in at the deep end. more...

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Eco Lake holiday in south Champagne

Our lake in a beautiful unspoilt region of France will provide you with the peace and tranquillity that is so often lacking in modern life. Why not come and sample both and stay in our eco-friendly cabin surrounded by woodland and overlooking our beautiful lake – in summertime carpeted with water lilies.more...

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