Page 49 - (DK Eyewitness) Back Roads Travel Guide - France

DRIVE 3: The Champagne Route 47
La Neuvillette
Bétheny
PLAN YOUR DRIVE
St-Brice-
Courcelles
Start/finish: Reims to the Montagne
Cernay-
lès-Reims de Reims.
REIMS
Number of days: 4, allowing half a
St-Remi LES CRAYÈRES day to see the historic sights in Reims,
Quarter two half days visiting the Champagne
Houses in Reims and in Épernay, and
2 days to drive along the many detours
of the Champagne Route.
Taissy
Distance: 130 km (80 miles).
Sillery
Champfleury Prunay
Road conditions: Roads are well
Vesle
signed. Expect heavy traffic near the
Puisieulx
Montbré
cities, especially in Épernay. Reims has
Beaumont- very good urban planning, but
Villers- sur-Vesle
Allerand Rilly-la- making the transition from city to
Montagne countryside can be wearing.
Montchenot VERZENAY
LUDES Mailly- When to go: Given that the main
Champagne Mont Sinai Verzy Les Petites-
283 m Loges attraction is champagne, any time of
Faux de year will do. To see the vineyards,
MARNE Verzy summer and autumn are the best
Ville- Villers
en-Selve Marmery time to visit. It also makes for a great
winter escape.
GRANDE
Germaine
MONTAGNE Livre
DE REIMS Louvois Trépail Opening times: While visiting hours
of individual Champagne Houses vary
greatly, the famous brands are usually
Tauxières-Mutry open daily from Feb/Mar to Nov with
Fontaine-
sur-Aÿ Bouzy cellar visits conducted from 9am or
Ambonnay 10am to noon and from 2pm to 5pm
or 6pm. Ring ahead for precise times.
Mutigny Avenay-Val-d'Or
AŸ Main market days: Reims: daily.
Tours-
Mareuil- s-Marne Shopping: Buy champagne direct
sur-Aÿ from the source, from the maisons de
Bisseuil Marne Champagne in Reims, Épernay and in
Tarnauds 0 kilometres 3 the countryside of Champagne. The
Oiry
Athis 0 miles 3 big brands also have great souvenirs
Chouilly Plivot
for their fans.
Major festivals: Reims: Fêtes
Johanniques, Jun; Flâneries Musicales
d’Été de Reims, Jun–Jul; Jonglissimo,
Cramant Les Istres- Sep; Aÿ: Mai Musical, May; Fêtes
et-Bury
Flavigny Henri IV, Jul (biennial).
Avize
CÔTE DES BLANCS
Oger
Le Mesnil-
sur-Oger DAYTRIP OPTIONS
Day trips suitable for the whole family
include the Musée de la Vigne on the
Villeneuve-
Renneville- Champagne Route near Reims and
Chevigny
Épernay’s Avenue du Champagne;
Voipreux while Dom Pérignon’s village
Hautvillers is for history buffs,
Vertus
vineyard walkers and winelovers.
For details, see p53.
Bergères-
lès-Vertus