Page 48 - (DK Eyewitness) Back Roads Travel Guide - France

46 BACK ROADS FRANCE

The Champagne Route

More than 600 km (373 miles) of countryside roads –
from Reims to the Côte de Blancs, south of Épernay,
and through the Grande Vallée de la Marne – make Rosnay Thillois
up the famous Route Touristique du Champagne. Gueux Tinqueux
Germigny
The drive through the Montagne de Reims reveals Ormes
one of France’s most picturesque grape-growing Vrigny
Méry- Coulommes- Pargny- Bezannes
regions: villages and forests roll into each other Prémecy la-Montagne lès-Reims
between vineyards owned by the most famous Poilly Jouy-lès-Reims
champagne names and those of small independent St-Euphraise- MONTAGNE
Sarcy et-Clairizet Villedommange
growers. Romans planted the first vines in the chalky DE REIMS
Sacy
limestone soil and grape culture flourished under the Bligny Bouilly Villers-
Courmas aux-Nœuds
care of the clergy, especially the bishops of Reims and Écueil
Châlons-en-Champagne. Chambrecy Chaumuzy Chamery
Marfaux Nogent
Pourcy
Sermiers
Ardre
Nanteuil-
la-Forêt
St-Imoges
Cormoyeux
Romery
Fleury-
la-Rivière CHAMPILLON
HAUTVILLERS
Damery Cumières
Dizy
Mardeuil
Magenta
Vauciennes
Above Village of Ludes at the heart of the finest champagne-making territory,
ÉPERNAY
see p50 Below right Rows of grape vines in the Côte des Blancs, see p51 Forêt
d’Épernay
St-Martin- Pierry
d'Ablois Moussy
Vinay
Chavot-
Vaudancourt Courcourt Cuis
Monthelon
Mancy
ACTIVITIES Grauves
Sit and sip champagne in one of Reims’ Art Deco brasseries Moslins
Visit as many champagne cellars as possible
Forêt
Enrol in a short course at Aÿ’s École des Vins de Champagne de la
Villers
Charmoye aux-Bois Gionges
Take a guided tour on the winemaker’s trail, sentier du vigneron,
in Côte de Blancs Chaltrait
Set off on a flowery walk, balade fleurie, from Oger F or êt de Ver tus
Hike or bike alongside the canals of the Marne KEY Soulières
Drive route
Balloon over the vines, especially at sunset