A Relaxing Romantic Break in Northern France’s Champagne Region

Extending into the Aisne in Northern France, Champagne is a place to savour slowly and at your own pace – just as you would a coupe of the most romantic and life-affirming of drinks. Though the weather here is generally crispy and bright spring and balmy in summer, early autumn is a particularly in-toxicating time to visit – during les vendanges, when the grapes are harvested by hand and the air is replete with their scent. Many vineyards hold special events at this time, including tours, tastings, grape pickings and champagne breakfasts or lunches.

One of the most atmospheric of the guided tours and tastings is to be had in Château-Thierry where you can wander through two kilometres of medieval stone quarries that now serve as the cellars of Champagne Pannier. You’ll also find small producers around lovely surrounding countryside, offer-ing a more intimate experience. 

Your leisurely strolls through the vines will help work up an appetite that you can satisfy by sam-pling some of the excellent local cuisine. Specialities include salmon or snails poached in cham-pagne, and Maroilles, a pungent, earthy cow’s milk cheese that local monks used to distribute to those harvesting the champagne grapes –you’ll often find it in quiches and tarts.

Château-Thierry tourist office: 9 rue Vallée, 02400, +33 (3) 23 83 51 14

To visit some of the more intimate, family run Champagne producers, here is a list of those who provide tastings in English!

Maison vigneronne Fallet Dart 

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