Recommendations for Champagne (the region, not the drink!)

[Ray-Vic]

Hi all,

Lady V has noted that for her Birthday in April she would like to "wake up inChampagne". Now I did suggest filling the bath and her sleeping in it, but that apparently wasn't quite good enough! So, my question is do any of you have recommendations on places to stay in the Champagne region and on the way to and from as a nice stop over?

Thanks in advance.

 

[suavecarve]

Epernay (that we havent actually stayed at) has to be your port of call with a CCP but will allow you (weather permitting) to walk into the lovely town and take a champagne balloon ride as a treat for Lady V at what this TFG considered to pass the threshhold as a treat (I think it was 12 euros including a glass of champagne) but luckily for me the wind got up and I saved my dosh.

Meuriel sur ay about 8 kms is our aire of choice but as this is special, go to Epernay

 

[suavecarve]

The other decent option is to see what champagne houses do stopovers like France Passion.

Waking up in a Champagne Domaine must be top trumps and many man points will be gained.

I nearly did it once when we broke down in the main house, unfortunately the recovery were extremely well organised and we stayed in a scrapyard as we managed to grab defeat from the jaws of victory !

 

[Imala615]

Another vote for Mareuel- sur -ay Link to a trip i did but it was in 2007 and it was only a week so not many stops but all the aires are still there and a dedicated aire at St Omer.

France 2007 Champagne Trail

After the wet June /July trip to France we booked another trip just for a week in late Sept as we loved France and hoped to get a bit of lat...

rebbyvid.blogspot.com

and also there's another stop close to Mareuel at Mutigney, Aire camping car de l'e'tang which has views down the valley of the vinyards.

Aire camping car de l'étang · Rte de Montflambert, 51160 Mutigny, France

★★★★☆ · Caravan Park

maps.app.goo.gl

 

[Ray-Vic]

Thank you guys, lots to go on there, very helpful.

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[Andy Norfolk]

Epernay municipal camp site. Toilets and showers not great. However they run tours of champagne houses from the site. Had a great time being shown around one. Purchased some lovely natural champagne, about 15 euro a bottle. You can also walk into the town, about 20 minutes.

 

[Birdy67]

Epernay (that we havent actually stayed at) has to be your port of call with a CCP but will allow you (weather permitting) to walk into the lovely town and take a champagne balloon ride as a treat for Lady V at what this TFG considered to pass the threshhold as a treat (I think it was 12 euros including a glass of champagne) but luckily for me the wind got up and I saved my dosh.

Meuriel sur ay about 8 kms is our aire of choice but as this is special, go to Epernay

We were there on 19th September and the Aire is currently closed and surrounded by fencing whilst it's being refurbished. There was no actual work going on but the ground had all been dug up so there are clearly plans afoot. No idea if or when it will re-open but if heading that way it's probably best to check somehow. We stayed in Villers-Sous-Chatillon instead and were directly opposite a champagne house (Robert Attail) where you can book a tour which we did. It was 10am but after tasting 3 different bottles I was definitely a little squiffy!

That region was stunning and well worth a visit, especially as a birthday treat!

 

[The Wino]

While you're in champagne the Mercier visit on an underground train around the cellars is pretty good.

 

[Landy Andy]

Mareuil-Le-Port is where we stayed last time. Ok aire very quiet village with nothing going on apart from a bakers, and a shop.

But the aire on a Friday evening arrives a champagne bar, a few food stalls, music, and singers. Right on the river’s edge.

Worth it if a Friday, but wouldn’t bother otherwise.

 

[Itsmcb]

This place has a small campsite in an orchard at the back of the winery. You can buy a bottle in the shop and they will lend you a cold ice bucket and glasses to enjoy a drink in or outside your van. We stayed one night, my wife loved it. Electric, showers etc all available.
Champagne Nowack
+33 3 26 58 02 69

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[enark]

Kent……..well that’s were all the French vineyard owners are buying up land……to make English Sparkling wine…..

 

[The Wino]

Kent……..well that’s were all the French vineyard owners are buying up land……to make English Sparkling wine…..

Sadly due to the duty probably a fair bit more expensive than a lot of champagnes

 

[RobinE]

Plus one for the aire at Mareuil sur Ay, quiet village, nice location on the riverside, can cycle to Epernay along the tow path. Stayed many times on way to and from the south, but not since before lockdown

 

[enark]

Sadly due to the duty probably a fair bit more expensive than a lot of champagnes

Maybe, but ironically they are eyeing up Kent as ideal for growing champagne, due to climate changes. But there rules……it can’t be called champagne….maybe Kent?

 

[The Wino]

Maybe, but ironically they are eyeing up Kent as ideal for growing champagne, due to climate changes. But there rules……it can’t be called champagne….maybe Kent?

I think quite a few of the champagne houses have vineyards in the UK now the soil is very similar to champagne and the climate very similar to champagne 40 years ago. The English sparking wines have won lots of competitions but sadly the ones I've tried were overpriced for what they are I'd sooner have a few bottles of a decent Cava

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[dunnah01]

Plus one for the aire at Mareuil sur Ay, quiet village, nice location on the riverside, can cycle to Epernay along the tow path. Stayed many times on way to and from the south, but not since before lockdown

+2 for Mareuil sur Ay - also worth a visit to the Benard Pitois Winery for a tour.

 

[Lenny HB]

We found some interesting bits in the Champagne area link below some interesting places if look over next few pages of the thread.

Lenny's on the Road again

Its freezing here in Scotland in this blooming caravan ....ive a month yet before i can escape ...if i dont catch pneumonia first Get a nice oil filled electric radiator or better 2 of them run from your mums electric, keeps you toasty!

www.motorhomefun.co.uk

 

[Ray-Vic]

Kent……..well that’s were all the French vineyard owners are buying up land……to make English Sparkling wine…..

Chapel Down (not far from us at all) makes some superb and award winning wines, including sparkling, but I think it is more about the trip with the wine than the wine itself.

 

[Ray-Vic]

Thanks again all. Some fantastic information and ideas here, I feel much happier now that I'm not just heading off in to this blind!

All comments and suggestions much appreciated.

 

[enark]

Chapel Down (not far from us at all) makes some superb and award winning wines, including sparkling, but I think it is more about the trip with the wine than the wine itself.

Yes it’s a very nice wine, also Woodchester Valley in Gloucestershire, really nice.

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[Jane And Rog]

I’d recommend Champagne Bouquet (///tracers.uninvited.nasal).

There’s space for 4 vans, with great views, and the village is in walking distance too.

Photos including drone shots on our blog at https://denby.home.blog/2023/06/25/to-hamstreet/

 

[Grianan]

This place has a small campsite in an orchard at the back of the winery. You can buy a bottle in the shop and they will lend you a cold ice bucket and glasses to enjoy a drink in or outside your van. We stayed one night, my wife loved it. Electric, showers etc all available.
Champagne Nowack
+33 3 26 58 02 69

Google Maps

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maps.app.goo.gl

We had hoped to go this summer but website said it was shut. Worth checking if you’re thinking of going

 

[Itsmcb]

We had hoped to go this summer but website said it was shut. Worth checking if you’re thinking of going

Just checked and your correct. That's a real shame.

 

[Jane And Rog]

Chapel Down (not far from us at all) makes some superb and award winning wines, including sparkling, but I think it is more about the trip with the wine than the wine itself.

You must be very near us. Our local (large) vineyard is Gusbourne.

 

[Ray-Vic]

You must be very near us. Our local (large) vineyard is Gusbourne.

Yes not far at all, we're just outside Maidstone. Chapel Down is literally on your doorstep!

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[Jane And Rog]

Yes not far at all, we're just outside Maidstone. Chapel Down is literally on your doorstep!

We’re actually in Hamstreet, so Gusborne is nearer. Well, apart from Hamstreet wines and Warehorne vineyard, which really are just down the road

 

[Ray-Vic]

We’re actually in Hamstreet, so Gusborne is nearer. Well, apart from Hamstreet wines and Warehorne vineyard, which really are just down the road

I think it's fair to say you're in Lady V's idea of paradise!