Things to do in Épernay at a glance
The main things to do in Épernay are a walk along the Avenue de Champagne, a cellar visit at Moët & Chandon or Mercier, the village of Hautvillers and the vineyard viewpoint of Mont Aimé. Reims is 34 minutes away by TER train. The Avenue de Champagne is 1.5 km long according to the tourist office, and the tourist office is less than 10 minutes on foot from the station.
The 12 entries below are grouped by place: the Avenue (1 to 4), the villages and vineyards (5 to 8), the town centre and the Marne (9 and 10), and Reims and Paris (11 and 12). Fees and hours are as published in November 2026.
On the Avenue de Champagne (1 to 4)
Cellar visits and the museum cluster along one street.
1. Walk the Avenue de Champagne
The Avenue de Champagne is lined with Champagne trading houses and mansions in several historic styles. The street itself is public, while cellars, gardens and tastings are separate visits. Walk the Avenue de Champagne.
2. Tour the Moët & Chandon cellars
Moët & Chandon at 18 Avenue de Champagne offers The Imperial Moment for EUR 48 (1 hour 30 minutes, 2 glasses) and Signature for EUR 65, also 1 hour 30 minutes. Visitor hours are daily 09:30 to 17:00. Online booking is recommended, though walk-ins are possible when places remain. The cellars are cool, so bring warm clothing. See the Avenue cellar visits.
3. Ride the train through the Mercier cellars
Mercier at 68 Avenue de Champagne lets you ride a train through part of its 18 km of cellars, about 30 m underground at 10 to 12 °C. Fondateur costs EUR 25 for adults (45 minutes, 1 glass) and Mercier Duo EUR 30 (1 hour, 2 glasses). Ages 10 to 17 pay EUR 12, and under 10s are free. Book the children's places online together with yours.
4. See the Musée du vin de Champagne at Château Perrier
The Musée du vin de Champagne et d'Archéologie régionale at Château Perrier charges adults EUR 10 for the permanent exhibition, and under 13s enter free. Admission is free for everyone on the first Sunday of the month. Allow roughly 1.5 to 3 hours. The park around Château Perrier is free daily, but the museum has its own hours and is closed on Tuesdays in summer.
Champagne outings from Épernay and Reims
The vineyard cycling day and the winegrower cellar visit both leave from the tourist office in Épernay. The van outing adds Hautvillers and the Avenue, while the Reims departures suit visitors staying there.
Hand-picked tours, booked through GetYourGuide. Prices are indicative starting prices in euros (as of November 2026). Tap a tour for live availability and the current price in your currency.
Shared Champagne outing from Reims
- Two Champagne wineries visits
- At least 6 different Cuvées
- Comfortable very recent 8 Guests vans
The English-guided itinerary includes the Avenue de Champagne and Hautvillers.
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Guided vineyard cycling day
- Electric-assist bike with helmet
- Cycling distance: 30KM
- 4 glasses tasted
The shared outing includes a family domaine visit and lunch. It returns to Épernay.
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Avenue, Hautvillers and cellar outing
- Visit the village of Hautvillers
- Discover the Avenue de Champagne in Épernay
- commented tasting of 2 cuvées
The combined van outing also includes a vineyard tasting with pink biscuits.
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Family wineries from Reims
- Local English-speaking guide
- Entrance fees for visits and tastings at 2 family-run wineries
- 6 tastings
Travel by air-conditioned minivan and return to Reims after the visits.
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Winegrower cellar visit from Épernay
- Visit a cellar of one winegrower
- explanations on the elaboration of Champagne
- 3 tastings
The vehicle departs near the tourist office on Rue Jean Chandon Moët.
Check availability →Cellar visits and vineyard outings around Épernay
Pierry cellars, tastings among the vines, e-bike days and van outings from the tourist office, with live prices and availability.
Villages and vineyards (5 to 8)
Hautvillers, the three wine areas, Mont Aimé and a nature reserve.
5. Visit Hautvillers and Dom Pérignon's grave
The church of Saint-Sindulphe in Hautvillers holds the grave of Dom Pierre Pérignon, who arrived in 1668 and worked there until his death in 1715. Entry to the church is free. From 1 November 2026 to 28 February 2027 it opens daily from 09:00 to 16:00, except 25 December and 1 January. The neighbouring abbey is private. Visit Hautvillers.
6. Tell the three wine areas apart
The Vallée de la Marne has more Pinot noir near Épernay and more Meunier to the west, the Côte des Blancs is shaped by Chardonnay, and the Montagne de Reims is mostly Pinot noir. Harvest dates are set village by village; the 2026 calendar was published on 12 August 2026. Read about the harvest season and weather.
7. Climb Mont Aimé for the view
Mont Aimé near Bergères-lès-Vertus is 240 m high and free to enter. It has an orientation table, a memorial obelisk and walking paths. Blanche de Navarre had a castle built there in 1210.
8. Visit the Pâtis d'Oger nature reserve
The Pâtis d'Oger et du Mesnil-sur-Oger nature reserve on the Côte des Blancs has been protected since 2006 and holds more than 300 small ponds, temporary or permanent.
The town centre and the Marne (9 and 10)
A walk of about 45 minutes and a river outing.
9. Stroll through central Épernay
The tourist office describes a town-centre walk of about 45 minutes, passing Notre-Dame and the Portail Saint-Martin. The town hall, the Tour de Castellane and Château Perrier are all listed monuments. Hotels on the Avenue suit a stay close to the sights; see where to stay in Épernay. Water works on place Victor-Hugo run from 19 October to 27 November 2026.
10. Spend time on the Marne
The Marne runs along Épernay, and the tourist office lists cruises from Cumières and houseboat trips from Aÿ. The departures the tourist office lists start from Cumières and Aÿ rather than the town centre, so choose the departure village first. Consult the Vigicrues flood bulletin before a river outing.
Reims and Paris (11 and 12)
Two trips that start outside the town.
11. Climb the towers of Reims Cathedral
The TER planning guide for Épernay to Reims is 34 minutes (line C09). The tower tour costs EUR 9, online booking is obligatory, and it has 249 steps. The towers close from 16 November to 14 February. The Palais du Tau is closed for works. See Champagne trips from Reims.
12. Come for a day from Paris
Direct trains from Paris Gare de l'Est reach Épernay in about 1 hour 20 minutes. A small-group excursion of 12 to 13 hours collects guests from Paris hotels, with up to 7 people per van, and includes the Avenue de Champagne and Hautvillers. Read the Paris day-trip guide.
Practical tips for a day in Épernay
A visit to Épernay works as a day out from Paris or Reims, or as a base for several days. The Avenue de Champagne is a walk from the station, while Hautvillers and the vineyard viewpoints lie outside the centre, so arrange a guided outing or transport for them first. The arrival guide covers trains, airports and parking.
Book cellar visits for a fixed time and add the walk and the museum around them, since each has its own hours. Cellars stay cool at 10 to 12 °C in Mercier, so pack a warm layer even in summer. At the Jard car park, the 2026 tariff makes the first hour free and 2 hours cost EUR 3.
Things to do in Épernay: frequently asked questions
How much does a cellar visit on the Avenue de Champagne cost?
EUR 25 is the adult price of Mercier's Fondateur visit (45 minutes, 1 glass), and EUR 30 buys Mercier Duo with 2 glasses. Moët & Chandon charges EUR 48 for The Imperial Moment (1 hour 30 minutes, 2 glasses) and EUR 65 for Signature.
Is the Avenue de Champagne a UNESCO site?
Yes. The Avenue de Champagne and Fort Chabrol in Épernay belong to the serial World Heritage property Champagne Hillsides, Houses and Cellars, listed in 2015.
How long does the train from Épernay to Reims take?
34 minutes is the TER planning guide for Épernay to Reims on line C09, though not every departure matches it. At Reims, the cathedral towers cost EUR 9 and need an online reservation. The towers are closed from 16 November to 14 February.
Can you visit Dom Pérignon's grave in Hautvillers?
Yes. The grave lies in the church of Saint-Sindulphe, which is free to enter. From 1 November 2026 to 28 February 2027 the opening hours are 09:00 to 16:00 daily, except 25 December and 1 January. The neighbouring abbey is private property and not open for regular visits.