Châlons-en-Champagne chalk quarry tour: UNESCO site & tasting

Two millennia underground: chalk quarries, champagne aging, and a glass of Brut Séduction

This wine tour takes you into the Balincourt Chalk Quarry near Châlons-en-Champagne, a UNESCO-listed site carved over nearly 2000 years and now used for champagne aging. A bilingual guide leads you through more than 6000 square meters of underground chambers, explaining the Gallo-Roman origins of the quarry and how champagne producers use it today, then ends with a tasting of Champagne Balincourt Brut Séduction. Ground-floor access makes it suitable for families and people with reduced mobility. Children under 7 enter free.

Step-by-step itinerary

Visit chalk quarry and champagne house

• Discover Balincourt Chalk Quarry history
• Explore underground quarry site
• Learn Champagne production process
• Visit Champagne's Got Talent shop

The experience

What makes these chalk quarries worth the trip is their age and their second life. Dug starting in Gallo-Roman times, the Crayères (as locals call them) were mined for nearly 2000 years before champagne houses realized the constant temperature and humidity underground were perfect for aging wine. Your guide walks you through the site explaining that history, from the Cretaceous period when the chalk formed, through Roman and medieval extraction, to the 19th century when champagne found its home here. The quarry sits nearly 30 meters below ground, but the tour uses ground-floor access, so families and anyone with mobility concerns can move through without stairs.

The tour covers the production process using historical tools on display, so you see how champagne was made alongside the geology that made the aging possible. The site spans more than 6000 square meters, and you'll also get a look at the "Champagne's Got Talent" shop, which holds over 50 champagne selections. The whole experience runs about 75 minutes, ending with a tasting of the house's Champagne Balincourt Brut Séduction: a dry, fruit-forward style that pairs well with the chalk dust still in your memory.

What’s included

• Entry to the Balincourt Chalk Quarry UNESCO site.
• a bilingual guide leading you through the 2000-year history of the quarry and the champagne production process.
• a tasting of Champagne Balincourt Brut Séduction at the end of the tour.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery day except TuesdayDepartures at 10:45 and 15:00

Book up to1h before

AgesAdult (18 and older) · Youth (7 to 17 years): free · Child (under 7)

GroupUp to 20

Live guideEnglish and French

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled if the minimum number of travelers isn't reached. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated 4 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortWheelchair accessibleAccessible transportStroller-friendlyPets welcomePublic transport nearby

Operated by Champagne Balincourt

Is this one for you?This tour works best for small groups or families who want a single, focused stop in the Champagne region: the ground-floor access and 75-minute length mean you can fit it into a half-day itinerary without long travel or physical strain.

Traveler reviews

5.00★★★★★★★★★★

3 verified traveler reviews

Read all the reviews ›

Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English and French.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Youth (7 to 17 years): free; Child (under 7).

How far underground does the chalk quarry go?

The Balincourt Chalk Quarry descends nearly 30 meters below ground, but the tour route uses ground-floor access, so you don't need to navigate stairs or steep passages.

What exactly is the UNESCO designation for?

The Châlons Crayères (chalk quarries) are UNESCO World Heritage sites because of their geological significance and their role in champagne production. They were first worked in Gallo-Roman times and have been used for aging champagne since the 19th century.

Does the tour include a champagne tasting?

Yes, the tour ends with a tasting of Champagne Balincourt Brut Séduction, the house's signature cuvée.