Classic bike (AT)
£192 for 6 days
Champagne is a region shaped by history, craft and culture. As you ride through the Marne Valley and the Montagne de Reims Natural Park you will meet growers and producers proud to share their knowledge and their love of the land. Vineyards stretch across every hillside and the landscape glimmers in the sunlight. The area is also home to remarkable religious heritage, most famously the Gothic Cathedral of Reims.
Arrive at your hotel in Reims during the afternoon. At reception you will find your roadbook, maps and practical information for the week. Settle in and enjoy your first evening in the city.
Example hotel: Grand hôtel Continental ****
Example accommodation: Grand Hôtel Continental, Reims ****
After breakfast start riding towards Épernay. The route leads through the vineyard villages of the Montagne de Reims including Mailly Champagne, Verzenay and Bouzy. Continue across gently rolling hills and arrive in Châlons-en-Champagne, a medieval city known for its half-timbered houses and peaceful river curling around the centre. Overnight in Châlons en Champagne.
Example accommodation: Hôtel du Pot d'Étain, Châlons-en-Champagne ***
Enjoy a short and easy ride beside the Marne Canal. You reach Épernay early in the afternoon giving you time to explore the capital of Champagne wines. This is a good moment to visit some of the region’s most impressive cellars. Overnight in Épernay.
Example accommodation: Parva Domus (Guest house)
Example accommodation: Parva Domus, Épernay
Follow small lanes between vines and steep hillsides as you ride the Marne Valley Champagne Trail. The views across the valley are superb throughout the day. Your route passes through Hautvillers, a pretty village famous for its Benedictine abbey. Continue to Cumières where you might stop for lunch in a restaurant carved into the chalk. Ride on towards Venteuil with a view of Château de Boursault then continue through villages among vines, fields and forest to Reuil. Return to Épernay on the opposite bank of the Marne.
Example accommodation: Parva Domus, Épernay
Today’s ride explores the Côte des Blancs, home of the Chardonnay grape. Follow the Champagne Tourist Trail towards Pierry where you can visit its eighteenth century château, storeroom and cellars. Nearby is Chavot Courcourt church, a twelfth century landmark standing alone among the vines. Continue through Cuis with its Romanesque church then ride close to the cliffs to reach Cramant and its eight and a half metre Champagne bottle. A short distance away lies Avize, decorated with colourful frescoes. Return to Épernay through Aÿ Champagne where the wine museum Pressoria offers a thoughtful introduction to the world of Champagne. Overnight in Épernay.
Example accommodation: Parva Domus (Guest house)
Example accommodation: Parva Domus, Épernay
After breakfast begin your final ride through the national forest of Hautvillers and a string of wine villages including Nanteuil la Forêt, Pourcy, Écueil, Sacy and Bezannes. The approach to Reims is now easier thanks to an improved cycle path that guides you safely into the city. Overnight in Reims.
Example accommodation: Grand Hôtel Continental, Reims ****
Your holiday ends after breakfast. You are free to depart at your own pace.
We recommend flying to Reims (RHE) and returning from Reims (RHE).
£192 for 6 days
£300 for 6 days
Included with bike hire
Champagne, France
Getting to Reims (start and end of tour)
By plane: If flying into Paris CDG, you can catch a direct TGV from the airport terminal straight to Reims in around 30 minutes, skipping central Paris entirely. This is one of the most convenient airport-to-destination connections in France.
By train: Direct TGV trains run from Paris Gare de l’Est to Reims in just 46 minutes, with around 7 departures a day. From London, take the Eurostar to Paris Gare du Nord and walk across to Gare de l’Est (about 10 minutes). Total journey time from London is around 4 hours 20 minutes. Reims city centre station is a 5-minute walk from your hotel.
By car: Reims is around 1.5 hours from Paris via the A4 motorway, and approximately 2.5 hours from Calais via the A26. Reims sits at the junction of the A4 and A26, making it easy to reach from multiple directions.
Bikes are not included. You are welcome to bring your own bike or hire one. Please see our bike hire section for details.
Flights are not included. Please refer to the what's included section for full details.
We will confirm your booking within 48 hours of receiving your enquiry. Please wait for confirmation before booking flights or making other travel arrangements.
Most itineraries include cycling on most days, with some rest or shorter days built in. Please check the itinerary for day-by-day details.
The latest you can book is 9 days before departure. This gives us enough time to confirm arrangements and accommodation.
You will receive full travel details, including accommodation, meeting points and local contacts, 3 to 5 weeks before departure.
