Get a taste for Champagne in France

If there is one thing that France is more famous for than food, it is wine, and there are few better places for wine lovers to start their exploration of the country than the Champagne region. This historic winemaking province has been producing the sparkling white wine that bears its name since the late 17th century.

The region consists of the Aube, Marne, Haute-Marne and Ardennes departments, with the towns of Reims and Epernay serving as the area's two main commercial centres. The Champagne province's location, about 100 miles east of Paris, means that it is easily accessible for people coming from the UK or countries to the east of France. It is also an excellent starting point for a driving holiday that will continue into regions such as Provence in the south or the Dordogne in the west.

April to October is considered the best time to visit for people planning to go on vineyard tours, offering the opportunity to experience the region during growing season as well as a high chance of good weather.

Getting there

The Champagne wine region couldn't be easier to reach by car. Travellers coming from the UK can catch ferries from Dover to Dunkerque with Norfolkline or alternatively sail from Dover to Calais with P&O Ferries or Seafrance. From both of these port locations, it is just a short drive south to towns such as Reims and Troyes, which offer plenty of places to stay.

Holidaymakers may be interested in starting their road trip in Belgium, Germany or another country east of France and making their way west. The Champagne region is located right on the eastern border of France, so visitors can plot straightforward routes from Belgium or Germany into the heart of wine country.

Things to do

One of the most popular options for many visitors will undoubtedly be embarking on a tour of the region's vineyards and wine-producing locations. Local excursions give tourists the opportunity to visit some of the most famous producers of sparkling white wine, such as Veuve Clicquot, Ruinart and Moet et Chandon. There are also many small, boutique houses in the region where visitors will be offered a more intimate view of wine-making culture and get to sample the full breadth of wine production in the area.

Travellers can also set off on their own to explore the picturesque and charming region, with a drive through the main vineyard areas of the Marne valley, the mountain of Reims and the Cote de Blancs offering a good introduction to the area. A trip to the Ardennes department of Champagne gives visitors the opportunity to visit a location whose tranquillity is at odds with the fact that it was the site of major battles in World War I and World War II.

Things to see

Many of the popular landmarks in the Champagne region are found in its central towns and cities. Arguably the most famous attraction of all is Reims' Notre Dame Cathedral. This building, which is one of the later gothic cathedrals, served as the official location for the crowning of many French monarchs. Aspects to look out for include 13th century stained glass windows and, for people with more contemporary tastes, windows designed by the artist Marc Chagall in the eastern chapel. Reims also boasts the Saint Remi Basilica, a Romanesque church, a town hall dating from the 17th century and many other attractions.

Visitors to Troyes will have the chance to explore the town's popular old quarter, a quaint area full of 16th-century timber-frame houses and narrow streets to explore, before taking some time to relax in one of the local restaurants or bars.

Epernay offers access to some 20,000 hectares of vineyards and also boasts attractive buildings such as the Gabrielle-Dorziat theatre. This destination is a good base from which to explore small villages such as Oiry and Magenta.

Yet another town that holidaymakers may want to squeeze into their tour of the Champagne region is Sedan, which boasts the largest fortified medieval castle in Europe among its attractions. The castle, construction of which began in the 15th century, is the only remaining part of the substantial fortifications that once protected the town. On the third weekend in May, Sedan hosts a medieval festival that celebrates its fascinating history.

Places to stay

The collection of large towns and urban areas in the Champagne region offer a choice of hotels. Reims is the largest city in the region and is often considered the provincial capital of Champagne. Accommodation options in the city include the four-star Grand Hotel Des Templiers and the three-star hotels Univers and Grand de L'Europe.

Located in the town centre of Troyes is the three-star Grand Hotel, while people looking for a relaxing country retreat may be more interested in La Foret d'Orient, which also has a three-star rating.

Epernay offers its visitors a number of accommodation choices, including the three-star Chateau d'Etoges and the four-star Hostellerie La Briqueterie.

Wherever they decide to stay, holidaymakers will be guaranteed a memorable experience in France's Champagne region, a place that truly lives up to its prestigious reputation.