Biking and Bubbly in the Champagne Region

Champagne Getaway

Tour Description: Guided

Champagne, the very symbol of sophistication, graceful living and celebration, is produced nowhere else in the world. Every two seconds, a bottle of champagne is opened somewhere in the world!  

All champagnes are made within a few miles of each other outside Reims and Epernay, near the Abbey of Saint-Pierre where the legendary Benedictine monk, Dom Pérignon, supposedly invented the bubbly by accident in the early 18th Century. Just as still wines have different characteristics and tastes, so do champagnes, and the great houses of Mumm, Piper-Heidsieck, Taittinger, Veuve Clicquot and Moët & Chandon, among more than 100 others, want to prove this with guided tours (in English) of their cellars and tasting of the current vintage.

Tour Description: Self-guided

Champagne, the very symbol of sophistication, graceful living and celebration, is produced nowhere else in the world. Every two seconds, a bottle of champagne is opened somewhere in the world!  

All champagnes are made within a few miles of each other outside Reims and Epernay, near the Abbey of Saint-Pierre where the legendary Benedictine monk, Dom Pérignon, supposedly invented the bubbly by accident in the early 18th Century. Just as still wines have different characteristics and tastes, so do champagnes, and the great houses of Mumm, Piper-Heidsieck, Taittinger, Veuve Clicquot and Moët & Chandon, among more than 100 others, want to prove this with guided tours (in English) of their cellars and tasting of the current vintage.

Highlights: Guided

• UNESCO listed World Heritage monuments Notre Dame Cathedral, Tau Palace, and Saint-Remi Basilica
• Discover the villages of Hautvillers and Aÿ
• Process of making champagne

Highlights: Self-guided

• UNESCO listed World Heritage monuments Notre Dame Cathedral, Tau Palace, and Saint-Remi Basilica
• Discover the villages of Hautvillers and Aÿ
• Process of making champagne

Daily Program: Guided

Daily Program: Self-guided

Day 1: Arrival to Reims
Participants arrive by their own means at their hotel in Reims in the afternoon. The hotel’s reception will give them a tour package with instructions and the essentials to have a successful tour
Overnight in Reims.
 
Day 2: Reims - Tours sur Marne (33 miles/54km)
After breakfast, departure to destination of Tours sur Marne through the typical vineyards and villages of the Montagne de Reims, including Chigny the Roses (village of Louise Pommery) Verzenay, and Bouzy. The daily route ends in Tours sur Marne.
Overnight in Tours sur Marne.

Day 3: Tours sur Marne - Epernay (7 miles/12 km)
After breakfast, departure for Epernay alongside the Marne canal. Very easy ride leaving a lot of time in the afternoon for the Champagne houses visits in Epernay. Some of them are a must.
Overnight in Epernay.

Day 4: Epernay - Vertus (16 miles/25 km)
After breakfast, departure to the South of Epernay, the region of chardonnay production and champagnes blanc de blancs; hailed for their guarantee for delicacy, freshness, finesse and elegance of the champagne.
Overnight in Vertus.

Day 5: Vertus – Chatillon sur Marne (22 miles/35 km)
Today you continue your way to the East of Epernay in the Marne Valley, the region planted with wine grape varieties of Pinot Meunier and Pinot Noir. The farther you go to the west and pinot meunier is a majority.
Overnight in Chatillon sur Marne

Day 6: Chatillon sur Marne - Reims (22 miles/35 km)
After breakfast, you will make your way through the “Montagne de Reims” back to Reims.
Overnight in Reims.

Day 7: Departure from Reims

Dates: Guided

Dates: Self-guided

Daily: Mar 1- Oct 31, 2012 and 2013

Route Map: Guided

Route Map: Self-guided

Packages and Prices: Guided

Packages and Prices: Self-guided

Tour package (self-guided)
Per person, double occupancy €813 Optional dinner plan (dinner each evening) €313 Single supplement (1 person/1 room) €300 Extra night, Reims (per person, double occupancy) €70 Tour package price for children 1-11 sharing room with two adults €610 Half-day vineyard tour (optional) €115 Champagne tasting at small family-run vineyard €18 Bike rentals Hybrid touring bike €90 Electrically assisted bike €180 Tag along bikes (hooks to adult's bike) €90 Children's bikes €80 Children's trailer €85 Helmets (available upon request) €0 Equipment provided for free with all rentals €0

Included Services: Guided

Included Services: Self-guided

• 6 nights accommodations with en suite facilities 
• Breakfasts
• Road book and cycling notes
• Tourist information and map
• Telephone hotline and assistance in case of any problems or questions
• Luggage transfer

Hotels: Guided

These are sample hotels and may vary based on availability. 

Reims - Grand Hotel Continental
www.grandhotelcontinental.com/                  
Situated in the very center of pedestrian zones of Reims, ideal for sight seeing, this charming hotel is back from the hustle and bustle.

Tours sur Marne - Hotel La Touraine Champenoise
www.touraine-champenoise.com/
Nice family run hotel with a very good restaurant. 

Parva Domus, Epernay 
www.parvadomusrimaire.com
Beautiful charming B&B with a large breakfast area, common room and also terrace on the back, situated on the famous Avenu de Champagne in Epernay, close to all the Champagne houses.

Vertus - charming B&B Clos Margot
http://www.clos-margot.com/
Lovely and extremely comfortable rooms decorated with taste, directly at family run champagne business. (with possibility of arranging a wine tasting).

Chatillon sur Marne - Charming B&B 
"Domaine du Moulin de l'Etang" Charming B&B, nicely renovated eighteenth century house, situated in the nature. You can enjoy peacfull  moments at the edge of the pond, calm and tranquility of nature around and take your breakfast outside.

Interested in visiting other areas before or after your tour? Visit our hotels page to learn more about lodging options. 

Hotels: Self-guided

These are sample hotels and may vary based on availability. 

Reims - Grand Hotel Continental
www.grandhotelcontinental.com/                  
Situated in the very center of pedestrian zones of Reims, ideal for sight seeing, this charming hotel is back from the hustle and bustle.

Tours sur Marne - Hotel La Touraine Champenoise
www.touraine-champenoise.com/
Nice family run hotel with a very good restaurant. 

Parva Domus, Epernay 
www.parvadomusrimaire.com
Beautiful charming B&B with a large breakfast area, common room and also terrace on the back, situated on the famous Avenu de Champagne in Epernay, close to all the Champagne houses.

Vertus - charming B&B Clos Margot
http://www.clos-margot.com/
Lovely and extremely comfortable rooms decorated with taste, directly at family run champagne business. (with possibility of arranging a wine tasting).

Chatillon sur Marne - Charming B&B 
"Domaine du Moulin de l'Etang" Charming B&B, nicely renovated eighteenth century house, situated in the nature. You can enjoy peacfull  moments at the edge of the pond, calm and tranquility of nature around and take your breakfast outside.

Interested in visiting other areas before or after your tour? Visit our hotels page to learn more about lodging options. 

Bike Rentals: Guided

Standard rentals are Arcade hybrid bikes, which is a cross type of bicycle that combines certain features of mountain bikes and those of road/racing bikes. The hybrid bikes come with upright steering, no drop handlebars. They are equipped with tire repair kit (with extra inner tube) pump, bell, lock, rear carrier (for standard panniers), removable handlebar bag, with map case, and some other items depending on what tour you are on. These bicycles are very good for their purpose, and are maintained by professional mechanics.

Specialty rentals:

• Tag-alongs (hooks to the adult bike)
• Child carriers: Kiddy Van, Capacity 2 children. Maximum weight: 30kg, Rain cover, veil of protection, convertible, small storage box.
• Children's bikes: 20’’ (6 – 8 year old) or 24’’ (8-10 year old), gears Shimano TY22
• Electrically assisted bike

Equipment provided for free with all rentals are saddle bags, removable handlebar bag, with map case, spare tube, repair kit, pump, cyclist reflective vest, cycle computer (on one of the two bicycles rented). 

Helmets are available upon request made at booking, for no additional charge.

 

Bike Rentals: Self-guided

Standard rentals are Arcade hybrid bikes, which is a cross type of bicycle that combines certain features of mountain bikes and those of road/racing bikes. The hybrid bikes come with upright steering, no drop handlebars. They are equipped with tire repair kit (with extra inner tube) pump, bell, lock, rear carrier (for standard panniers), removable handlebar bag, with map case, and some other items depending on what tour you are on. These bicycles are very good for their purpose, and are maintained by professional mechanics.

Specialty rentals:

• Tag-alongs (hooks to the adult bike)
• Child carriers: Kiddy Van, Capacity 2 children. Maximum weight: 30kg, Rain cover, veil of protection, convertible, small storage box.
• Children's bikes: 20’’ (6 – 8 year old) or 24’’ (8-10 year old), gears Shimano TY22
• Electrically assisted bike

Equipment provided for free with all rentals are saddle bags, removable handlebar bag, with map case, spare tube, repair kit, pump, cyclist reflective vest, cycle computer (on one of the two bicycles rented). 

Helmets are available upon request made at booking, for no additional charge.

 

Surface and Terrain: Guided

The tour follows quiet roads for 75% of the route, and is on roads shared with traffic the remaining time. The terrain is moderately hilly.

The tour is rated moderate and is for cyclists in good physical condition. 

Surface and Terrain: Self-guided

The tour follows quiet roads for 75% of the route, and is on roads shared with traffic the remaining time. The terrain is moderately hilly.

The tour is rated moderate and is for cyclists in good physical condition. 

Feedback: Guided

"I had a fabulous time and thoroughly enjoyed myself! The tour operator was great to call me on my arrival day at the hotel to make sure all was well, and the inns and hotels where I stayed along the way were all really good. Thank you so much for a vacation to remember - I can't wait to do another one!"
- Catherine S.
2012 

Feedback: Self-guided

"I had a fabulous time and thoroughly enjoyed myself! The tour operator was great to call me on my arrival day at the hotel to make sure all was well, and the inns and hotels where I stayed along the way were all really good. Thank you so much for a vacation to remember - I can't wait to do another one!"
- Catherine S.
2012 

How To Get There: Guided

Tour start and end
Nearest airports

• Paris airports

Nearest train station

• Champagne/Ardenne

Please note:
You will need to take a taxi from the train station to Reims. The cost is approximately €40 per transfer.

Tips on getting to and from your tour 

How To Get There: Self-guided

Tour start and end
Nearest airports

• Paris airports

Nearest train station

• Champagne/Ardenne

Please note:
You will need to take a taxi from the train station to Reims. The cost is approximately €40 per transfer.

Tips on getting to and from your tour 

Weather: Guided

Weather Underground offers information on average and record temperatures at many destinations throughout the globe. Type a destination in the search box and enter a travel date range to learn about seasonal weather patterns.

Get weather information.

Weather: Self-guided

Weather Underground offers information on average and record temperatures at many destinations throughout the globe. Type a destination in the search box and enter a travel date range to learn about seasonal weather patterns.

Get weather information.

Tour Company Background: Active Tours: Guided

ACTIVE TOURS is specialized in active holidays, and specifically in cycling tours in all the most attractive regions of France. According to our philosophy, the best way to experience the world is to travel by bike or on foot. 

Our strengths are reliability, good bikes, very good knowledge of the french regions, nicest hotel properties, inspiring itineraries specially chosen for cycling - based on 5 years experience. 

We look forward to having you on our tours for an unforgettable and authentique cycling discovery in France!  

Tour Company Background: Active Tours: Self-guided

ACTIVE TOURS is specialized in active holidays, and specifically in cycling tours in all the most attractive regions of France. According to our philosophy, the best way to experience the world is to travel by bike or on foot. 

Our strengths are reliability, good bikes, very good knowledge of the french regions, nicest hotel properties, inspiring itineraries specially chosen for cycling - based on 5 years experience. 

We look forward to having you on our tours for an unforgettable and authentique cycling discovery in France!  

Terms and Conditions: Active Tours: Guided

Cancellation policy:

• If cancellation arrives 42 days before the beginning of the tour - cancellation fee 40€
• Between 42 and 30 days 200€
• Between 30 and 21 days 25% of the cost of the trip
• Between 21 and 14 days 50% of the cost of the trip
• Between 14 and 0 days 100% of the cost of the trip

Terms and Conditions: Active Tours: Self-guided

Cancellation policy:

• If cancellation arrives 42 days before the beginning of the tour - cancellation fee 40€
• Between 42 and 30 days 200€
• Between 30 and 21 days 25% of the cost of the trip
• Between 21 and 14 days 50% of the cost of the trip
• Between 14 and 0 days 100% of the cost of the trip