About this tour
This seven-to-nine-hour private tour from Paris takes you deep into the Champagne region, starting with a guided exploration of Mercier's legendary cellars in Épernay. You'll learn how champagne is actually made, taste several bottles, then venture to the hilltop village of Hautvillers to visit the Abbey Church where Dom Pérignon developed his techniques. The route includes sweeping views across vineyards and the Marne River valley, plus free time for lunch in Épernay itself before the drive back to the capital.
Highlights
- Walk through Mercier's historic underground cellars and chalk tunnels
- Taste multiple champagnes directly from the producer
- Visit Abbey Church linked to Dom Pérignon's winemaking innovations
- Panoramic vineyard and river vistas from Hautvillers heights
- Private car with professional driver throughout
- English-speaking guides at each champagne house
What to expect
Your driver collects you from Paris and handles all transport. At Mercier, an official house guide leads you through the cellars—expect to descend into chalk galleries and learn production methods before tasting. Then you'll drive to Hautvillers, a quiet village with views across the Marne valley; the Abbey Church visit takes roughly an hour. You'll have time to eat lunch in Épernay (your cost), exploring the town's champagne shops and cafés. Plan for significant driving time; the remaining hours beyond visits go to travel between locations.
Good to know
Book early—Mercier has limited daily visitor slots and the operator will swap to another house if yours is full. Lunch isn't included; budget accordingly in Épernay. Bring comfortable shoes for cellar walks. Not suitable if you have serious heart or mobility issues. Infant car seats available on request.
Tour sold and operated by its supplier via Viator. Descriptions on this page are original BugBitten summaries, not copied from the operator. Prices and availability are confirmed at checkout.