Reims & Hautvillers: Champagne Mumm Cellars, Family Winery & Lunch

Summary

Champagne tasting in Reims cellars, Hautvillers village stroll and winery lunch

You’ll step into Reims’ legendary Champagne Mumm cellars with a local guide, share lunch and stories at a family winery, wander Hautvillers’ peaceful streets where Dom Pérignon lived, and end your day sipping Champagne among the vines. If you want to feel connected to Champagne’s roots—not just taste it—this day trip lingers long after you leave.

What’s the experience like?

You barely get out of the minivan in Reims before you catch that faint chill—the kind that seeps up from old stone. Our guide, Camille, was waiting with this easy grin and a couple of stories about growing up nearby (she swears she can tell good Champagne by the way the bubbles tickle your nose—still not sure I nailed it). We started right away at Maison Mumm. The underground cellars are colder than I expected, echoey too; you hear every shuffle. The smell is this mix of damp chalk and something sweet—like apples left out in autumn. Camille pointed out bottles resting since before I was born. I tried to imagine all those celebrations waiting underground.

Lunch was at a family-run winery—honestly, I didn’t know what to expect. The owners sat with us for a bit, explaining their blends in French and English (and some gestures when we got stuck). The food was simple but felt special—fresh bread, cheese that actually squeaked when you bit it, and a glass (okay, maybe two) of their own Champagne. It’s funny how quickly everyone loosened up after the first pour. Someone tried to pronounce “terroir” and we all lost it for a minute.

We drove on to Hautvillers later—a village that looks like someone painted it just for postcards. You can smell cut grass and yeast from the bakeries as you walk through. Camille showed us the abbey where Dom Pérignon worked; she touched the old stones like they might remember him. There’s something quiet about the place—even with other visitors around—and I caught myself standing still longer than usual. The last tasting at another small producer felt different after seeing where it all started. The sun was low by then; everything looked gold through the vines. I still think about that light sometimes.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Champagne tour in Reims and Hautvillers

• Meet guide at Reims tourist office
• Tour Maison de Champagne Mumm cellars
• Lunch with Champagne at winery
• Visit Hautvillers village and Abbey
• Tour family-run winery and tastings

Top questions

How long is the Champagne day trip from Reims?

The tour starts at 09:20 AM in Reims and finishes around 5:20 PM.

Is pickup included for this Reims & Hautvillers Champagne tour?

Yes, pickup and drop-off in Reims are included in your booking.

How many Champagnes do you taste on this tour?

You’ll taste seven glasses throughout visits to Mumm House and local wineries.

What’s included for lunch during the tour?

A traditional lunch is served at a family-run winery along with Champagne pairings.

Are children allowed on this Champagne tour?

No, children under 10 years old cannot join this shared tour.

Does the tour visit Hautvillers village?

Yes, you’ll explore Hautvillers—the birthplace of Champagne—and visit its abbey.

How many people are on each group tour?

The shared tour has a maximum of 8 passengers per group.

Can dietary requirements be accommodated?

Please advise any dietary needs when booking so arrangements can be made.

What’s included

Your day includes pickup and drop-off in Reims by air-conditioned minivan, guidance from a local expert throughout, entry to Maison Mumm’s historic cellars for tastings, visits to family-run wineries with seven glasses sampled overall, plus a traditional lunch served right at one of the estates before returning late afternoon.