Luxury Day Trip to Champagne

The province of Champagne stretches from around Troyes in the south (in the sub-district known as the Aube), to Reims in the north in the Marne district.  The vineyards of the Marne are the Montagne de Reims, the côte des Blancs (where the white grapes are concentrated) and the Vallée de la Marne.

Reims is home to many of the great names in Champagne: Krug, Roederer, Veuve Clicquot, Pommery, Taittinger and Charles Heidsieck as a few examples, all have their cellars here.  It has a long and interesting history and was very important in the Latter Roman Empire; there are several monuments still in evidence dating back to the era, including a Triumphal Arch, the Forum and the stone quarries or crayères which are still used as cellars by many Champagne Houses.  The 13^th century Cathedral has wonderful gargoyles and statues, including “the Smiling Angel” and fine stained glass, including windows by Marc Chagall.  The early Frankish Kings were all crowned here and the Kings of France continued this tradition.  In the First World War, Reims was besieged and partially destroyed.  Thankfully, some of the most beautiful and impressive buildings, such as the Cathedral and the Palais de Vergeur remain.  The rebuilding too, resulted in many fine buildings with “art nouveau” touches.  Reims today is a lively commercial centre and a university city.

Champagne is the closest wine region to the UK and therefore, along with the wonderful celebratory nature of the drink, makes an ideal day out.

Outline itinerary:

In the morning you will take the Eurostar from London St Pancras to Lille.

Your local tour guide will meet you on your arrival in Lille and take you to meet your luxury coach and driver who will transport you to a private champagne visit in a small high quality Champagne house near Reims. (Approximate journey time from Lille to Reims in the coach will be 2 hours).

Here you will enjoy a visit of the champagne house and taste a selection of their champagnes over a gourmet lunch.

After lunch your luxury coach will transfer you back to Lille train station in time to catch your return Eurostar train back to the UK.

This day trip includes:

• Luxury return coach transfers from Lille train station
• Local bilingual tour manager to meet the party and escort them throughout the day
• Visit to a Champagne house
• Gourmet lunch at a Champagne house served with Champagne, mineral water and coffee