Champagne is home to some of the most famous wine houses in the world.
Many of these houses offer cellar tours and tastings, giving visitors the chance to explore the underground cellars where Champagne slowly matures.
When planning a trip to Champagne, many travelers wonder which houses are actually worth visiting.
This guide introduces 10 of the best Champagne houses to visit in Reims and Epernay.
From iconic names to more distinctive cellar experiences, it covers the practical information you need to plan your trip.
Many travelers visit Champagne as a day trip from Paris.
Reims and Epernay are the two main bases for visiting Champagne houses.
Reims is known for its historic chalk cellars and famous producers.
Epernay is home to the famous Avenue de Champagne, lined with prestigious houses.
In other words, visiting Champagne houses is not only about tastings.
If you are deciding how long to stay, it helps to think about your itinerary as a whole.
Quick Comparison of Champagne Houses
To help you choose where to go, here is a quick overview of the main houses featured in this guide.
Reims
House Highlights Best forVeuve Clicquot Iconic yellow house & historic cellars Fashion & Luxury lovers Taittinger Saint-Nicaise Abbey cellars History lovers Ruinart Deepest cellars & modern architecture Architecture lovers Pommery Contemporary art gallery cellars Modern art lovers Mumm Victory podium & cellars City center travelers
Epernay
House Highlights Best forMoët & Chandon Avenue de Champagne cellars First-time visitors Mercier Underground train Tour Families & easy walkers Boizel Family Boutique Luxury Boutique Experience Seekers Gosset Oldest wine house In-the-know travelers Leclerc Briant Bio champagne Eco-conscious explorers
How to Choose Which Champagne Houses to Visit
Most travelers visit about two Champagne houses in one day.
Choosing which Champagne house to visit can be difficult, especially if it is your first time in the region.
Some houses are famous for their historic underground cellars, while others offer more relaxed tasting experiences. Location, tour style, and timing can all affect your visit.
The three tips below will help you decide which Champagne houses are the best fit for your trip.
Choose by Location
If you are staying in Reims:
Veuve Clicquot
Taittinger
Ruinart
Pommery
Mumm
If you are staying in Epernay:
Moët & Chandon
Mercier
Boizel
Gosset
Leclerc Briant
Choose by Experience
The visit experience varies from house to house.
For example:
iconic Champagne houses
historic cellars
visits that can also work well for children
biodynamic producers
Think About Timing
Most cellar visits take about 1.5 to 2 hours.
Once you include travel time, two visits in one day is usually the best pace.
If you want a relaxed itinerary, it is also worth thinking about whether you will travel with or without a car.
Booking Champagne House Visits
Most Champagne houses require advance reservations.
Popular visits can sell out quickly, especially on weekends and during the summer travel season.
If you are new to Champagne house visits, it can help to understand how tours usually work before booking.
What to Expect on a Champagne House Visit
A Champagne house visit usually follows a similar format.
STEP
Introduction to the House
You will first hear about the house history and the Champagne-making process.
STEP
Underground Cellar Visit
You then visit the underground cellars, usually with a guide.
STEP
Tasting
At the end, you taste Champagne. The number of glasses depends on the plan you choose.
Most visits last around 1.5 to 2 hours.
Boutiques and Souvenirs
Most Champagne houses have their own boutique or sales area.
In addition to bottles of their Champagne, many also sell branded accessories and gifts.
If shopping interests you, it is a good idea to leave some extra time after your cellar visit and tasting.
If you are planning to take bottles home, it is also worth checking the practical side in advance.
Champagne Houses You Can Visit Without a Car
Many travelers come to Champagne by train and explore the region without renting a car.
Some houses are easier to reach on foot or by taxi.
In Reims
Please note that many of the Reims producers featured in this article, including Veuve Clicquot, are a little outside the city center.
In Epernay
The following houses are located around Avenue de Champagne:
Moët & Chandon
Mercier
Boizel
Gosset
If you want more detail on how to get around without driving, see the guide below.
Cellar Tours in Reims and Epernay
Descending into the underground chalk cellars during a Champagne house tour Many visitors come to Champagne specifically to see the underground cellars.
The chalk tunnels are known locally as crayères , and they provide ideal conditions for aging Champagne.
The cellar network around Saint-Nicaise Hill in Reims, as well as Avenue de Champagne in Epernay, is part of the UNESCO World Heritage listing.
Best Champagne Houses to Visit in Reims
1. Veuve Clicquot
Veuve Clicquot display near the visitor center Veuve Clicquot is one of the most famous Champagne houses in the world.
A visit here introduces the story of Madame Clicquot and takes you through impressive underground cellars.
Why Visit:
iconic Champagne house
historic cellars
well-developed visitor experience
Local Insight
The whole experience feels very polished, with the house’s signature Clicquot yellow creating a strong visual identity.
The many stories about Madame Clicquot also make the visit especially engaging.
2. Taittinger
At Taittinger, visitors explore cellars built in former Roman chalk quarries.
The site later became part of the Saint-Nicaise Abbey, adding another layer of history to the underground visit.
Why Visit:
Roman-era cellars
Newly renovated and reopened in 2024
Chardonnay-driven Champagne style
Local Insight
The guides are often very experienced and answer questions with care.
The Basilica of Saint-Remi, one of Reims’ UNESCO World Heritage sites, is about a five-minute walk away and worth visiting if you enjoy history.
3. Ruinart
Founded in 1729, Ruinart is the oldest Champagne house.
Its deep chalk cellars are one of its most remarkable features.
Why Visit:
oldest Champagne house
deepest cellars in Reims
Chardonnay-driven Champagne style
Local Insight
Personally, I think Ruinart has the most beautiful underground cellars in Reims.
4. Pommery
Pommery is known for its vast underground cellars and its contemporary art displays.
Why Visit:
large underground cellars
contemporary art displays
self-guided option using a dedicated app
Local Insight
One of the most distinctive things about Pommery is that it offers a self-guided format through its dedicated app.
It is a good option for visitors who prefer to explore at their own pace.
5. Mumm
Entrance to Champagne G.H. Mumm cellar tours Mumm is relatively close to the center of Reims.
Why Visit:
easy access
display of historic tools used in Champagne production
easy for beginners to understand
Local Insight
The guides are usually very well trained and explain things clearly, even for first-time visitors.
Best Champagne Houses to Visit in Epernay
6. Moët & Chandon
Moët & Chandon visitor center in Epernay Moët & Chandon is the most famous Champagne house in the world.
Its underground cellars stretch for many kilometers beneath Epernay.
Why Visit:
world-famous brand
extensive underground cellars
located on Avenue de Champagne
Local Insight
This is the top Champagne brand, and it is a great place to begin a first visit to Champagne. The maze-like cellars are truly impressive.
7. Mercier
Mercier visitor center entrance in Epernay At Mercier, visitors explore the cellars on a small underground train.
Why Visit:
underground train
easy-to-follow visit
also a good option for children
Local Insight
Because the visit includes the mini train, Mercier is especially easy for families with children.
If you have extra time after the visit, go behind the house to see the small vineyard plot there. It is small, but it gives you a close-up view of the vines.
8. Boizel
Champagne Boizel on Avenue de Champagne, with vintage cars in front of the house Boizel has remained family-owned since it was founded in 1834.
Located on Avenue de Champagne, it combines elegance with a warm and welcoming feel.
Why Visit:
family-owned house
relaxed tasting atmosphere
located on Avenue de Champagne
Local Insight
Boizel is a house that often appeals to visitors with a deeper interest in Champagne. It also produces some barrel-aged Champagnes.
In the 2025 Netflix romantic comedy Champagne Problems , there is a scene featuring Boizel Champagne.
9. Gosset
Champagne Gosset sign in Epernay Founded in 1584, Gosset is the oldest wine house in Champagne.
Its history goes back to the period before Champagne was sparkling, when still wines were produced in the region.
The house is located just off Avenue de Champagne, up a side street around the corner from Boizel.
Why Visit:
oldest wine house in Champagne
refined tastings
calm atmosphere
Local Insight
Gosset is a smaller house, which makes it easier to feel close to the production side.
One of the most interesting things about Gosset is that, unlike many houses, it does not carry out malolactic fermentation. When tasting, pay attention to the combination of tension and depth in the wines.
10. Leclerc Briant
Leclerc Briant is known for its biodynamic approach.
Please note that it is not on Avenue de Champagne, but in the opposite direction.
Why Visit:
biodynamic production
refined tasting experience
popular with wine lovers
Local Insight
Leclerc Briant is known for very adventurous ideas, including underwater aging and even gold-lined barrels. It can be a particularly interesting visit for people who want to see a more experimental side of Champagne.
Suggested Combinations
Reims ClassicsVeuve Clicquot Historic CellarsTaittinger Luxury ExperienceVeuve Clicquot Avenue de Champagne VisitMoët & Chandon Family TripMercier Wine LoversGosset Blanc de Blancs LoversRuinart(Chardonnay-focused houses)
When building your itinerary, it also helps to think about how many days you want to spend in the region.
Looking for a More Local Experience?
The major Champagne houses offer impressive and memorable visits.
However, Champagne is also home to many grower-producers who make wine from their own vineyards.
If you would like a more personal tasting experience, visiting grower Champagne producers is also worth considering.
FAQ
Do Champagne house visits require advance booking?
Yes. Most Champagne houses require reservations in advance.
How many Champagne houses can you visit in one day?
Two visits in one day is usually the most comfortable pace.
Can you visit Champagne houses without a car?
Yes. In Reims and Epernay, some houses can be reached on foot or by taxi.
Which Champagne house is best to visit?
For first-time visitors, Moët & Chandon and Veuve Clicquot are the most popular choices. They offer large cellar tours and are easy to reach from Reims and Epernay.
Plan Your Champagne Trip
Helpful planning guides for your Champagne trip.
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