Reims & Epernay: Veuve Clicquot Cellar Tour, Family Winery & Lunch

Summary

Champagne cellars village walks and vineyard lunch in Reims

You’ll sip Veuve Clicquot in ancient cellars, wander Hautvillers’ quiet lanes where Dom Pérignon rests, share lunch at a family-run estate (with plenty of Champagne), and hear stories from locals who live these vines every day. Expect laughter, honest flavors—and maybe one view you’ll remember long after heading home.

What’s the experience like?

I almost missed the minivan because I got distracted by the pastry smells outside the Reims station—seriously, you can’t walk ten meters here without wanting to eat something. Our guide, Camille, waved me over with a grin and a “ça va?” that made it feel like we’d already met. There were just six of us; I liked that right away. We headed straight for the Veuve Clicquot cellars—cool air and this faint mineral smell hit as soon as we stepped inside. I tried to imagine how many bottles were stacked around us (millions?), but honestly lost count after Camille pointed out some graffiti left by workers during WWII.

The first Champagne tasting was…well, sharper than I expected. Camille explained why—something about extra aging on the lees—but mostly I just remember the tiny bubbles and how everyone went quiet for a second after that first sip. The light down there is soft yellow, almost sleepy. When we came back up it was bright and windy and I felt a little floaty (not sure if it was the Champagne or just being underground for an hour). We drove through rolling vineyards to Hautvillers next—the village where Dom Pérignon is buried. There’s this churchyard overlooking endless rows of vines; it’s oddly peaceful except for one tractor somewhere in the distance.

Lunch was at a family-run Champagne house outside Epernay. Their dog greeted us before anyone else did—he barked once then flopped under our table like he’d seen this routine before. The food was simple but good: chicken in mustard sauce, crusty bread, salad with walnuts from their own tree apparently. They poured us more Champagne (I stopped counting), and the winemaker’s dad told stories in French while Camille translated bits here and there—sometimes laughing too hard to finish. It felt like visiting distant cousins you didn’t know you had.

By late afternoon we’d tasted nine Champagnes (yes, really), walked Avenue de Champagne in Epernay with its grand houses looking both fancy and lived-in, and watched golden light slide over the vines. I still think about that view from Hautvillers—the kind that makes you want to stay longer even though you know you can’t. If you’re even half-curious about Champagne or just want a day out with real people who love what they do…this is it.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Veuve Clicquot tour and Champagne tasting

• Meet guide at Epernay or Reims
• Visit Veuve Clicquot cellars
• Taste four Veuve Clicquot cuvées
• Explore Hautvillers village and vineyards
• Enjoy lunch at Champagne estate
• Visit family-run Champagne house
• Tour ends in Epernay or Reims

Top questions

How many Champagnes do you taste on this tour?

The tour includes nine different Champagne tastings throughout the day.

Where does the tour start and end?

You can start from either Reims train station or Epernay tourist office; it ends at those same points depending on your pickup location.

Is lunch included on this day trip?

Yes, a traditional lunch at a Champagne estate is included in the tour price.

Are dietary restrictions accommodated?

Yes, dietary needs or allergies can be accommodated if mentioned when booking.

How big is the group on this Champagne tour?

The tour runs with a maximum of 8 people per group.

Do you visit both Veuve Clicquot and a family winery?

Yes, visits include both Veuve Clicquot cellars and a family-run Champagne house.

Is transport provided between locations?

Yes, transport by air-conditioned minivan is included throughout the day.

What time does the tour finish?

The tour ends around 4:45 PM in Epernay or 5:30 PM in Reims depending on your drop-off point.

What’s included

Your day includes pickup from either Reims train station or Epernay tourist office, all entry fees for Veuve Clicquot cellar tours and tastings plus those at a family-run winery, nine total Champagne tastings across several stops, transport by minivan with your English-speaking local guide throughout the region’s villages and vineyards, as well as a traditional lunch at an estate before returning in the late afternoon.