While it can be difficult to find a reason to leave Paris even for just a few hours, the Champagne region is one of the best day trips you can take from the City of Lights; you can spend the day trying out all sorts of French bubbly and still make it back to the capital for your late-night reservation at Septime.
Read on to learn more about when to visit, where to stay, and most importantly, where to taste wine in the Champagne region. This article has been updated since its original publish date. Many Champagne houses are closed to visitors during the busy harvest season, which typically spans from late September to October though climate change is pushing harvest earlier each year.
Sarah Iwicki, Europe travel specialist at luxury travel advisory Scott Dunn , encourages travelers to visit the Champagne region between May and June for a quieter experience when the vineyards are lush and green.
While hotels are typically able to help arrange cab services, Iwicki suggests renting a car to make getting around Champagne as seamless as possible. Weather permitting, cycling is another popular pastime in the region, and many local businesses offer bicycle and e-bike rentals. Decorated in early 20th-century classical French style, no room is the same; expect unique wallpapers, embroidered linens, and subtle design touches that transport you back to the time of Louis XIVβ without feeling cheesy.
Roughly forty minutes south in charming Epernay, Loisium Champagne is a modern oasis complete with a Finnish sauna, steam baths, and heated outdoor pool.
