Sabrage in Reims: Learn to Sword Champagne Like Napoleon's Guard

You'll sword open a champagne bottle on a ten-hectare vineyard overlooking Reims Cathedral.

This 75-minute class in the Reims vineyards teaches you to sabrage champagne (opening a bottle with a sword like Napoleon's Imperial Guard) starting with instruction on a practice bottle, then a full one, followed by a tasting of three champagnes. The session runs in English with a live guide, protective glasses provided, and a 90% success rate. It takes place on a ten-hectare Chardonnay 1er Cru plot with views across the mountain of Reims west toward the Cathedral.

The experience

Sabrage starts with a lesson on champagne itself: the terroir, the winemakers, the economics of the region, and why this particular plot matters in the larger Champagne galaxy. You stand on the vineyard with those ten hectares and the Cathedral in view, and the guide walks you through the history and the craft before you ever touch a sword.

Then comes the practice. You'll learn the technique on a control bottle first (the angle, the pressure, the motion) before moving to a full bottle of champagne. The protective glasses stay on throughout. The 90% success rate means most people do open it cleanly. When the blade hits the bottle's seam just right, the top lip pops clean off. After you've done it, you taste the cuvée you just sabraged, plus two others you choose from the lineup.

The whole thing runs 75 minutes and stays on the vineyard, so there's no travel time eating into the class. The guide speaks English and the site is fully wheelchair accessible, with accessible transport options available.

What’s included

• Three glasses of champagne (the cuvée you sabrage plus two others of your choice).
• protective eyewear.
• instruction from a live English-speaking guide.
• access to the ten-hectare Chardonnay vineyard with views of Reims Cathedral.

Before you book

Days and timesTuesday and FridayDeparts at 15:00Last departure this season: 25 Dec

AgesAdult (18 and older) · Child (8 to 17 years) · Infant (under 8)

GroupUp to 8

Live guideEnglish

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.

Prices and times updated 4 days ago

Good to know

Wheelchair accessibleAccessible transportStroller-friendlyPets welcome

Operated by Champagne Lallement Massonnot

Is this one for you?The class runs on the vineyard itself with no commute, so it works whether you're staying in Reims without a car or just want to skip the drive. The 75 minutes keeps it tight enough to fit around other plans in the city.

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Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (8 to 17 years); Infant (under 8).

What exactly is sabrage and where does it come from?

Sabrage is opening a champagne bottle with a sword, a technique used by the Hussars, light cavalry riders, of Napoleon's Imperial Guard. The class teaches you the historical method and the mechanics behind it, then you practice and execute it yourself on a real bottle.

Do I get to keep the champagne I open with the sword?

Yes. After you sabrage your bottle, you taste the champagne you just opened, along with two other cuvées you select from the available options during the tasting portion of the class.

What if I don't successfully open the bottle on my first try?

You practice first on a control bottle to learn the technique before attempting a full bottle of champagne. The 90% success rate reflects how well the instruction works. If you don't succeed on your attempt, the guide can show you the motion again or you can try once more.

Is this class suitable if I'm not experienced with wine?

Yes. The class begins with an introduction to champagne (the terroir, the winemakers, and the region's history), so no prior knowledge is required. The focus is on learning to sabrage and then tasting what you've opened, not on wine expertise.

How do I get to the vineyard if I don't have a car?

The class takes place on a vineyard in the Reims mountains, and transportation options are wheelchair accessible. You'll want to confirm pickup or transport arrangements when you book, as the site is not within walking distance of central Reims.