150 km east of Paris, in a gently rolling landscape, lies the sparkling region of Champagne, which has given its name to an exceptional wine. At the gates of Strasbourg, the grape varieties of Alsace bear the pretty names of Riesling, Gewurztraminer, Tokay Pinot gris... nothing could be more pleasant than to link these two wine regions in the north-eastern quarter of France by car. Along the way, you will discover towns full of character and several of the very best French vintages.
The prestigious first stage on your trip is Epernay, the undisputed capital of champagne and an essential stop for a cellar visit. During a fascinating journey under ground, you will pass through a tiny part of the hundred or so kilometres of galleries hollowed out of the chalky soil, where thousands of bottles from the best Champagne houses are stored - Moët et Chandon, De Castellane... Don't miss a detour to the picturesque village of Hautvilliers to visit the abbey, where a certain Dom Pérignon invented the inimitable sparkle of champagne in the 17th century.
The second stage, and a royal one, takes you to Reims. Following the baptism of Clovis in the 5th century, all the kings of France were crowned in this city, which boasts four magnificent UNESCO world heritage sites including a Gothic cathedral of breathtaking beauty. Here too, a tour of the cellars of the prestigious Pommery, Veuve Cliquot and Ruinart champagne houses should not be missed. And you should definitely make time for a wander along one of the many champagne tourist routes.
The Champagne tourist routes
To the south, Troyes is the other capital of champagne, decorated with beautiful half-timbered houses straight out of the Middle Ages. A charming champagne route passes through the Côte de Bar, where you will appreciate the hospitality of the Aube wine-growers, a champagne glass in your hand... On a marked circuit stretching over 220 km, you can stop at will at any of the 26 cellars with the "Point Accueil" label, where often the wine-makers themselves will welcome you, describing with passion the process of making champagne, revealing the secrets of this prestigious and inimitable beverage and enjoying your pleasure as you sample their wares.
After Chaumont, Vesoul and Belfort, you will finally arrive in Colmar. The city of the wines of Alsace boasts an exceptional heritage. It is a real joy to stroll through the mediaeval town, along the canals ornamented with flowers and into the Unterlinden museum, which houses treasures of Gothic art. Colmar is also an essential gastronomic destination, where you can sample Alsatian specialities such as choucroute, foie gras, baeckeofe or coq au riesling...
Turning north along the Alsace wine route towards Strasbourg, you will discover the typical Alsatian villages of Sigolsheim, Kaysersberg, Riquewihr, Ribeauvillé, Obernai, Molsheim... delightful towns offering winstubs (wine bars), half-timbered houses and paths leading into the vineyards on the slopes of the Vosges.