Located in northern France’s Champagne region, idyllic Épernay overlooks the slow-moving waters of the Marne. Known for its Champagne production and its role as an entrepôt (trading post) for the wine industry, Épernay is the perfect spot to sip some bubbly and embrace life in the French countryside. Here, things to do include tasting tours at Champagne Mercier, strolling in the Montagne de Reims Regional Natural Park, and munching on a fresh baguette de tradition (which, by law, can only contain flour, yeast, salt, and water) from Boulangerie-pâtisserie Piraux.
Spring and autumn are both excellent times to visit Épernay—the temperatures will be mild, and you will skip the muggy summer heat. The flowers start to bloom in April as the countryside comes back to life, while October sees the end of the busy harvest season, meaning that the vineyards will have time to welcome visitors for tours and tastings.
Épernay itself is small, walkable, and connected to the rest of the region via the SNCF railway. If you’re hoping to get outside the towns and cities of the area, renting your own car can be helpful—the buses won’t be able to take you to the more remote wineries, and taxis become extremely expensive. You can also opt for tours that include transport if you’re planning to spend a lot of time doing Champagne tastings.
Make sure to bring layers—it can get chilly and overcast in the region and the wine cellars are damp and cool. While the Champagne region sounds like it should be full of glamor, it’s also an agricultural area, so people tend to dress casually and comfortably. Bring a nice outfit if you plan to go out for dinner or to take a trip to Reims for an evening at the opera.
