- Overview
- Captured Moments
- Day by Day
- What’s Included
- Travel Notes
- Not Included
- Your Questions Answered
- Reserve Your Place
Champagne awakens each September during the annual grape harvest, when vineyards come alive with the rhythm of the vendange. This is not a tasting tour. It’s an invitation inside the harvest itself.
Experience Highlights
- Walk the vineyards during the Champagne harvest
- Taste Champagne with both grand maisons and small family growers
- Learn the art of sabrage from a maître sabreur
- Enjoy a vineyard picnic among the vines
- Cruise the Seine on your final night in Paris
Paris sets the tone before the journey unfolds into the vineyard-rich landscapes of Épernay, Reims, Hautvillers, and beyond. This is where Champagne is not simply tasted, but understood at its source.
You spend time among the vines during harvest, alongside those shaping the season, with behind-the-scenes visits to both renowned houses and independent growers. Hands-on workshops, including the art of sabrage, add depth to each day.
In Hautvillers, the birthplace of Champagne, the pace softens. There’s time to wander, to linger over pairings of chocolate and Champagne, and to take in the quiet beauty of the surrounding countryside.
The journey closes in Paris, with a final evening on the Seine beneath the city lights, a fitting end to days shaped by craft, place, and shared experience.
A celebration of connection and craftsmanship, Champagne experienced from grape to glass.
Limited to just 12 travellers to keep the experience intimate.
This journey unfolds in the heart of Champagne during the annual harvest, when vineyards come alive with the rhythm of the vendange. Days are shaped by the season itself, moving between vineyard landscapes, historic cellars, and the villages where generations of winemakers bring each harvest to life.
As the journey progresses, moments of hands-on experience are balanced with time to slow down and savour the region. From the energy of harvest days to relaxed evenings in Épernay and a final return to Paris, the experience moves with a natural sense of flow between celebration and stillness.
Our itinerary is shaped around the harvest calendar, allowing us to experience Champagne at its most alive. As with all seasonal journeys, timing may shift slightly to honour local conditions and preserve the authenticity of each moment.
Itineraries
Day 01 | Paris
Date : 07/09/2026
First Impressions | Flavours of the Capital
Highlights
Walking neighbourhood food tour · Evening electric tuk tuk tour · Bistro style welcome dinner
Arrival in Paris is immediate and unmistakable. The city hums softly in the background, its streets already alive with movement, conversation, and the quiet rhythm of daily life.
After time to settle in at our boutique hotel, we step out for our first introduction to the city, not through landmarks, but through flavour.
Led by a local guide, we wander into one of Paris’ storied neighbourhoods where food remains deeply rooted in tradition. This is not a formal tasting, but a relaxed and unfolding experience. We move between artisan bakeries, fromageries, and small family run establishments, sampling as we go. Fresh bread still warm from the oven, regional cheeses, charcuterie, and simple, flavourful dishes that reflect the essence of French cuisine. Conversations begin easily, and the group finds its rhythm along the way.
After a short return to the hotel to refresh, the evening shifts into motion. By electric tuk tuk, we move through the city as it transitions into night. Illuminated streets and quiet corners unfold around us as we pass between Paris’ most iconic landmarks and lesser known pockets of the city. We pause along the way for photos, stories, and small moments that reveal a different side of Paris, unhurried, atmospheric, and alive.
Our evening continues at a relaxed neighbourhood bistro, where we gather for a late welcome dinner. There is no formality here, just good food, shared plates, and the ease of settling into the journey together. It is a moment to pause, reflect, and begin to feel at home in the city.
Inclusions
Airport transfer · Guided neighbourhood food tour · Electric tuk tuk experience · Welcome dinner · Accommodation in Paris
Day 02 | Épernay
Date : 08/09/2026
Gateway to Champagne | From Paris to the Vines
Highlights
Scenic train journey from Paris to Épernay · Guided walking tour of Avenue de Champagne · Tastings at two Champagne houses (one grand, one family-owned) · Time to explore Épernay cafés and boutiques
After breakfast, we’ll journey by train to Épernay, the heart and heritage of Champagne and our base for the coming days - a slower, more intimate heart of Champagne.
After settling into our charming guesthouse, we’ll gather for a guided walk along the Avenue de Champagne, where stately maisons like Moët & Chandon, Perrier-Jouët, and Pol Roger rise above miles of underground cellars. Hear the stories that shaped Champagne’s legend before adjourning for our own time and space to explore Épernay at our own pace - perhaps a quiet café lunch, a visit to the Champagne Museum, or a leisurely stroll through the town’s elegant streets.
After lunch, we’ll visit two contrasting Champagne houses - one grand and storied, another intimate and family-owned. We’ll step into cool chalk cellars, walk echoing tunnels lined with bottles resting in stillness, then emerge to taste the fruit of generations’ work - bright, complex, and alive.
Inclusions
Breakfast · Train to Épernay · Guided walk of Avenue de Champagne · Tastings at two Champagne houses · Dinner · Accommodation in Épernay
Day 03 | Aÿ
Date : 09/09/2026
The Essence of Champagne | Grand Houses and Family Craft
Highlights
Visit to Aÿ village · Champagne tasting workshop with lunch · Entry to Pressoria Champagne Museum (multi-sensory experience)
Today we step into the quieter side of Champagne.
On arrival in Aÿ, enjoy quiet exploration before diving into the spirit of the region with a hands-on champagne tasting workshop. Learn the intricate process behind the bubbles, refine our palate, and test our new knowledge with a blind tasting of three boutique champagnes, each revealing a different terroir and story. A relaxed lunch of regional favourites follows, all perfectly paired with local wines and Ratafia.
It’s a sensory afternoon ahead as we step inside the Pressoria Champagne Museum, a beautifully designed multi-sensory journey through the world of champagne - from earth and vine to effervescence and aroma, and of course the tasting of fine champagne! By evening, the day lingers softly - full of flavour, laughter, and quiet discovery.
Dinner tonight is at leisure - We’d be happy to suggest a few favourite local spots
Inclusions
Breakfast · Champagne tasting workshop · Lunch · Entry to the Pressoria Champagne Museum · Accommodation in Épernay
Day 04 | Hautvillers and Passy-Grigny
Date : 10/09/2026
The Soul of Champagne | Villages, Vineyards and Heritage
Highlights
Visit to Hautvillers, village of Dom Pérignon · Stroll through abbey grounds and Champagne viewpoints · Free time in Passy-Grigny · Chocolate and Champagne pairing experience at local maison
High above the vineyards, Hautvillers watches over the valley.
This morning, we journey to the quiet hilltop village where Champagne was born. Cobbled streets wind between stone houses, wrought-iron signs announce centuries of artisanal trades, and in the Abbey of Saint-Pierre d’Hautvillers rests Dom Pérignon, the monk whose vision changed the course of winemaking forever. There’s plenty of time to stroll its lanes and take in the calm countryside before choosing a local bistro for lunch in the village.
Afterwards, we travel to Passy-Grigny to indulge our senses in a Chocolate and Champagne pairing tour, where the balance of sweetness and acidity tells its own quiet story of craftsmanship. Each flavour, dark, milk, citrus, nut, unfolds alongside a perfectly chosen Champagne, an unexpected harmony of opposites.
Enjoy a relaxed afternoon in Épernay. Journal our reflections, or linger in a café as the golden light shifts across the vineyards before we gather again for dinner.
Inclusions
Breakfast · Guided walk of Hautvillers · Chocolate and Champagne pairing · Dinner · Accommodation in Épernay
Day 05 | Épernay
Date : 11/09/2026
Harvest Morning | A Grape Picker’s Experience
Highlights
Grape harvest with family-run maison · Vineyard picnic
The vineyards are already alive with the rhythm of harvest.
Today begins with a rare and heart-warming experience - joining a local family-run vineyard on the outskirts of Épernay for a hands-on champagne harvest. Step between the rows as we are welcomed into their seasonal rhythm, learning how this world-famous drink begins. We’ll spend the morning hand-picking grapes, hearing stories passed down through generations, and gaining a new appreciation for the craft.
After a morning of laughter and learning, we’ll gather among the vines for a picnic-style lunch, with fresh bread, local cheeses, pâtés, and of course, chilled champagne poured straight from the source. There’s a quiet joy in these moments - the kind that needs no embellishment.
Returning to Épernay by late afternoon, the rest of the day unfolds at an easy pace. Stroll through the town’s boutiques, sip a glass of rosé champagne at a pavement café, or simply relax before tomorrow’s adventures.
Dinner tonight is at leisure - We’d be happy to suggest a few favourite local spots.
Inclusions
Breakfast · Harvest activity · Afternoon vineyard picnic lunch · Accommodation in Épernay
Day 06 | Épernay
Date : 12/09/2026
Through the Vines | Landscapes, Villages, and Perspective
Highlights
Guided vineyard exploration · Scenic routes through Champagne villages · Panoramic viewpoints · Relaxed vineyard lunch
This morning, we step into the landscape that defines Champagne, where rolling vineyard-covered hills stretch between quiet villages and winding country roads.
We spend the day exploring this region at a gentler pace, moving between viewpoints, small villages, and lesser-known corners of the countryside. Guests may choose to experience the route by electric bike or travel by vehicle, with both options following the same journey through the vineyards.
Along the way, we pause at a viewpoint overlooking the vines, where the landscape opens out in every direction. With a glass of Champagne in hand, it is a moment to take in the setting that shapes everything we have been tasting throughout the journey.
At midday, we come together for a relaxed lunch, set either among the vineyards or in a local village, allowing time to slow down and enjoy the surroundings.
There is time to continue at an unhurried pace, whether stopping in a village square, enjoying a coffee, or simply moving through the landscape as it unfolds.
The afternoon remains open to enjoy the region in your own way, with space to rest, explore further, or return to a favourite spot.
Inclusions
Breakfast · Vineyard exploration experience · Lunch · Accommodation in Épernay
Day 07 | Reims
Date : 13/09/2026
Sacred and Sparkling | Cathedral and Cellars
Highlights
Reims Cathedral · Grand Champagne maisons · Cultural afternoon
A scenic morning drive takes us north to Reims; the city of kings and coronations. Visit the majestic Notre-Dame Cathedral, a UNESCO World Heritage masterpiece where centuries of French rulers were crowned. Then, descend into the cool chalk cellars of a grand Champagne house such as Taittinger or Veuve Clicquot for a guided tour and tasting.
After lunch at a local bistro, we’ll have time to stroll through Reims art-deco boulevards or visit the Musée de la Reddition, where World War II officially ended. By evening, we return to Épernay for a relaxed dinner and the calm of our home base.
Inclusions
Breakfast · Guided tour of Reims Cathedral · Lunch · Champagne house visit · Dinner · Accommodation in Épernay
Day 08 | Épernay
Date : 14/09/2026
The Art of Sabrage | Champagne Meets Swordplay
Highlights
Sabrage workshop · Boat cruise in Champagne
Champagne has always been a drink of celebration.
This morning, prepare for a thrilling and elegant tradition as we step into the role of a champagne swordsman. In a guided sabrage workshop, we will learn the legendary art of opening a bottle of champagne with a sword - a practice that dates back to Napoleon’s time. With guidance and flair, we’ll wield a handcrafted sabre, perfect our technique, and earn our official diplôme de sabreur.
It’s more than a party trick - it’s a rite of passage. Celebrate our success with a glass of bubbly and a story we’ll never stop telling.
After the workshop, enjoy time to find a café or bistro for lunch before the afternoon unfolds gently with a boat cruise along the Marne River, drifting past vine-covered slopes and sleepy villages, the rhythm of the water a soft counterpoint to the sparkle in our glasses.
As evening falls, we’ll come together for a relaxed dinner at a local bistro within walking distance from home - a warm toast to the very heart of Champagne.
Inclusions
Breakfast · Sabrage workshop · Boat cruise in Champagne · Dinner · Accommodation in Épernay
Day 09 | Épernay
Date : 15/09/2026
Small Producers | Craft, Character, and Connection
Highlights
Boutique grower Champagne experience · Family-owned producer visit · Intimate tasting · Time at leisure in Épernay
After days of exploring the great houses of Champagne, today offers a more personal perspective.
We visit a small, family-owned producer, where Champagne is crafted on a different scale, shaped by generations of knowledge and a close connection to the land. Here, the experience is more intimate, offering insight into the traditions, decisions, and character that define each bottle. There is time to speak directly with those behind the process, asking questions, sharing stories, and experiencing Champagne in its most personal form.
This is a quieter moment in the journey, one that brings a deeper understanding of the region beyond the grand maisons.
The afternoon is left open to enjoy Épernay at your own pace. You may choose to revisit favourite spots, explore the town further, or simply take time to relax and reflect on the days that have come before.
Inclusions
Breakfast · Boutique grower tasting · Accommodation in Épernay
Day 10 | Paris
Date : 16/09/2026
The Grand Finale | A Celebration on the Seine
Highlights
Champagne-making workshop · Personalized bottle · Return to Paris · Seine River dinner cruise
The journey circles gently back to Paris.
We’ve saved one of the most unforgettable experiences for last. This morning, enjoy a final guided workshop in the heart of Épernay that takes us deeper into the world of Champagne. Get hands-on as we learn how the famous bubbly is made and after selecting our favourite, step into the winemaker’s shoes: we’ll disgorge our very own half-bottle, cork it, and design a custom label to take home as a sparkling souvenir.
After a light lunch, we board the train back to Paris, where the city greets us once more - familiar yet somehow changed.
Tonight’s Seine River bistronomic dinner cruise is the perfect finale - departing from the base of the Eiffel Tower to glide past the city’s most iconic landmarks – endlessly captivating: the Grand Palais, the Louvre, the Musée d’Orsay, and Notre Dame. Watch Paris shimmer through three courses of exquisite cuisine, all without the buzz of traffic or noise. A slow, shimmering farewell. A final toast to France, friendship, and the beauty of living well.
Inclusions
Breakfast · Champagne-making workshop · Personalized bottle · Lunch · Return to Paris · Seine River dinner cruise · Accommodation in Paris
Day 11 | Paris
Date : 17/09/2026
Au Revoir | Until We Meet Again
Highlights
Farewell breakfast and optional shared transfer
Enjoy a final breakfast together before check-out. Depending on your onward plans, we’ll help coordinate a shared taxi or transfer to the airport or train station.
This may be the end of our time together, but the memories, friendships, and sparkle of Champagne will linger long after we return home.
Thank you for being part of this unforgettable adventure.
Inclusions
Breakfast · Airport transfer
Paris Experiences
- Guided Montmartre walking food tour with curated tastings
- Private Paris city highlights tour by electric tuk tuk
- Seine River gastronomic dinner cruise
Signature Champagne Experiences
- Champagne tasting workshop followed by lunch
- Curated Chocolate and Champagne pairing
- Grape harvest with family-owned maison and vineyard picnic
- Sabrage workshop with official “diplôme de sabreur”
- Interactive champagne-making experience with personalized bottle
- Stroll the Avenue de Champagne with guided visits to two prestigious Champagne houses
- Immersive visit to the Pressoria Champagne Museum, exploring Champagne through the senses
- Explore the charming village of Hautvillers, birthplace of Champagne
- Guided vineyard exploration through the Champagne countryside (by electric bike or vehicle)
- Guided tour of Reims Cathedral followed by a guided Champagne house visit
- Marne River cruise through vineyard-covered hills and countryside
- Boutique grower Champagne experience with a family-run producer
Food and Dining
- Daily breakfasts to begin each day at an unhurried pace
- A balance of shared dinners in traditional settings and more relaxed, local dining experiences
- Evenings centered around connection, good food, and the character of French cuisine
Accommodation
- A carefully selected mix of boutique stays and private residences throughout the journey
- Chosen for their atmosphere, design, and sense of place
- Comfortable, considered spaces to rest and reset between experiences
- All rooms are private and include en-suite bathrooms
Transport and Logistics
- Airport transfers on arrival and departure days
- Train between Paris and Champagne region included
- All transport between destinations, experiences, and excursions is included
- All entrance fees and logistical arrangements handled throughout
Guidance and Support
- Fully guided throughout by a dedicated tour leader and knowledgeable local hosts
- Cultural context and thoughtful guidance that deepen each experience
- Seamless coordination throughout, allowing you to stay present in the journey
Our Accommodation
- Our accommodation throughout the journey has been carefully selected to reflect the rhythm and character of each setting, balancing countryside charm in Champagne with the layered atmosphere of Paris
- In Épernay, we stay within the heart of the Champagne region, close to vineyards, cellars, and the slower rhythm of harvest season life. The atmosphere is relaxed, intimate, and designed for comfort between days of exploration and tasting experiences
- In Paris, accommodation offers a different perspective, placing us within one of the city’s historic neighbourhoods where café culture, evening walks, and local daily life continue beyond the main tourist districts
- Across both locations, properties have been selected not for excess, but for warmth, comfort, atmosphere, and a strong sense of place throughout the journey
- All rooms are private and include en suite bathrooms
Harvest Timing
- September marks the beginning of harvest season in Champagne, when vineyards and villages across the region shift into one of the busiest and most atmospheric periods of the year
- The exact start of picking season, known as the ban des vendanges, is determined annually according to grape ripeness and weather conditions, and is often announced only shortly before harvest begins
- During this time, vineyards, presses, and family run cellars are alive with activity as grapes move from vine to production throughout the region
- Our journey is intentionally timed to experience Champagne while harvest energy shapes daily life, offering a perspective far removed from quieter off season visits
- While exact harvesting schedules vary between villages and producers, guests can expect to experience the atmosphere, rhythm, and movement of harvest season throughout the region
What to Expect
- Harvest season is an active working period in Champagne rather than a staged tourism event, offering a more authentic and immersive experience of the region
- Vineyards, cellar doors, and village streets often feel more energetic during this period as growers, workers, and local families move through the routines of harvest
- Guests may see grapes being picked, transported, pressed, and prepared for production depending on the timing of visits and harvest activity
- Some smaller producers may adjust tasting schedules or availability during peak picking days as harvest operations take priority
- The journey balances vineyard experiences with quieter moments through village walks, countryside meals, and time spent absorbing the slower rhythm of the region
Why September Is the Best Time to Go
- Vineyards are full, green, and heavy with fruit as Champagne enters its most important season of the year
- The region feels especially alive during harvest, with activity unfolding across vineyards, presses, cellars, and village streets throughout the countryside
- September temperatures are generally mild and comfortable, creating ideal conditions for vineyard visits, countryside walks, and outdoor dining
- Travelling during harvest offers a deeper connection to the agricultural and cultural traditions behind Champagne production
- Paris in September carries a different atmosphere from summer, with cooler evenings, fewer crowds, and a return to local city rhythms after the holiday season
Seasonal Weather
- September in Champagne and Paris typically brings mild early autumn conditions, with temperatures generally ranging between 15°C and 23°C / 59°F to 73°F
- Days are often comfortable for walking and outdoor experiences, while mornings and evenings may occasionally feel cooler
- Light rain showers remain possible during harvest season, particularly in the countryside
- Vineyard terrain can occasionally be uneven or muddy depending on recent weather and harvest activity
- Indoor tasting spaces, restaurants, hotels, and cellar environments vary naturally in temperature throughout the journey
Practical Considerations
- In keeping with French law, travellers under 18 years of age will not be permitted to participate in experiences involving alcohol
- This journey includes gentle walking through vineyards, village streets, cellar environments, and urban neighbourhoods
- Comfortable walking shoes are recommended throughout the itinerary, particularly for vineyard visits and countryside terrain
- As we travel by train between regions, luggage transfers are minimal and packing lighter is encouraged for ease and comfort
- Harvest season is a working period for producers, which may occasionally create slight adjustments to timings or cellar operations
- Many experiences throughout the journey are intentionally designed for small groups and quieter access, allowing space to experience the region beyond larger tourist crowds
Flights and Arrival
- International airfare to and from Paris
Travel Requirements
- Travel insurance (required for participation)
- Relevant visas where applicable (see Travel Notes section)
Personal Expenses & Free Time Options
- Meals and drinks not specified in the itinerary
- Personal purchases and incidental expenses
- Optional activities during periods of free time
Harvest season in Champagne is active, atmospheric, and constantly in motion. Vineyards, villages, and cellars become busier as the region shifts into one of the most important periods of the year.
Rather than observing harvest from the outside, we experience the region while it is fully alive, offering a more authentic and seasonal perspective on Champagne and its traditions.
Yes, harvest season is a working period in Champagne, and daily activity throughout the region can vary depending on weather conditions and grape ripeness.
Some vineyards and producers may adjust timings slightly during active picking days, though this is part of what makes the experience feel authentic and connected to the rhythm of the region.
Rather than following a staged version of harvest, the journey is intentionally designed to experience Champagne as it naturally unfolds during this time of year.
No. While Champagne and wine culture are central to the region, this journey is designed around atmosphere, landscape, food, tradition, and the rhythm of harvest season itself.
Many experiences focus just as much on place, food, local culture, and meaningful connection as they do on wine, making the journey enjoyable for both wine enthusiasts and more casual travellers alike.
This journey is designed to move at a relaxed and balanced pace rather than feel physically demanding.
Days may include walking through vineyards, village streets, cellar spaces, and city neighbourhoods, though no strenuous hiking or advanced fitness level is required.
There is also space throughout the itinerary to slow down, enjoy long meals, and experience each destination without feeling rushed.