Explore Champagne at spa hotel Ile-de-France Château Thierry

The spacious superior bedrooms included in the stay are another good reason to base your break at the Hotel Ile-de-France in Château Thierry, since every detail has been conceived with modern comfort, convenience and luxury in mind. Rooms, with stunning views over the valley plus lovely canvasses of local landscapes to bring the outside inside, is the perfect place to relax and enjoy your complimentary champagne ahead of dinner. Hmm, good point - where are you going to have dinner? Well, why venture out when there’s a fabulous restaurant right here on site, where chef and hotel owner Nicolas concocts such delights as his signature smoked salmon parcels?

Indulge in croissanty heaven at breakfast before heading out to immerse yourself in those inviting champagne landscapes. France, as you’ll know, is divided into départements (like counties) and this one’s called ‘Aisne’, a place responsible for producing 10% of the nation’s champagne, with the label ‘AOC’ authenticating that’s it’s the absolute real McCoy. The satisfaction of visiting ‘petits producteurs’ instead of the big bubbles brands you might know from supermarket shelves soon becomes apparent: the chance to talk to expert champagne producers over a tasting; discovering an art de vivre passed through the generations; and of course buying at source.

Walking across the champagne landscapes makes for the most memorable of experiences (just ask the friendly team at Hotel Ile-de-France and they’ll immediately put you on the right track) and you’re also just a hop, skip and a jump from the champagne house ‘Maison Pannier’, a whopping two kilometres of medieval stone quarries serving as champagne cellars.

And there’s more to the Aisne département than champagne. Visit Bois de Belleau (a poignant woodland walk with visible traces of a key WW1 battle), enjoy a round at Golf du Val Secret (an exceptional course only 5 minutes from the hotel - 18 holes, gentle hills and water features) or see the mysterious ruins of Château de Fère. Just be sure to leave some time for the town of Château Thierry where you’re staying: with boutiques, markets and cafes, plus ramparts gifting exceptional views over the Marne and surrounding Champagne countryside, it’s a delight.