Châlons-en-Champagne

Châlons-en-Champagne is a Champagne town with one champagne house, Joseph Perrier, founded in 1825. Its Gallo-Roman cellars are open by booked tour, and a direct TER train reaches Épernay in 16 minutes.

Why visit

Châlons-en-Champagne has one champagne house, Joseph Perrier, founded in 1825. It is the only champagne house remaining in town. The town was labelled "Vignobles et Découvertes" in 2021.

The Joseph Perrier cellars are Gallo-Roman, dug into the hillside and entered at ground level, which the tourist office calls a rarity in Champagne. The house presents its historic cellars as part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site "Champagne Hillsides, Houses and Cellars."

In the 19th century Châlons-en-Champagne had several hectares of vineyards and ten major champagne labels. Joseph Perrier received the "Royal" distinction from Queen Victoria and King Edward VII, and some cuvées are still named "cuvée royale."

For the wider region, see Champagne. Épernay is 16 minutes away on a direct TER train.

Visiting the estates

Champagne Joseph Perrier is at 69 avenue de Paris. Reserve on the house's website, through the tourist office or by phone. The tour lasts 1 hour 15 minutes including a tasting, with 20 places per tour.

Adults pay from €27 ($29), and the tourist office gives a range of €27–30 ($29–32). Children aged 7–17 pay €12 ($13), and children under 7 are free. Longer or vintage tastings cost more, up to €57–60 ($62–65).

The tourist office also offers a tasting in historic medieval cellars dating from the 13th and 15th centuries.

Musée Champagne Famille Carbot is a champagne museum with a tasting room at 12 boulevard Victor Hugo, in a listed building in the town center.

Champagne JB Hery is a recommended address of the tourist office, at 12 Rue Basse de Compertrix in the Châlons area.

Champagne Nicolas Feuillatte's Centre Vinicole is in Chouilly, 5 minutes from Épernay and 30 minutes from Châlons-en-Champagne. Booking is mandatory.

When to go

From March to October, Joseph Perrier opens 7 days a week. From November to February it opens 6 days a week and is closed on Sundays.

Before you go

• The Joseph Perrier cellars are cool, about 15°C. Bring warm clothing.
• Arrive 10 minutes before your booked time.
• Book your Joseph Perrier visit in advance: tours have about 20 places, and you reserve online, by phone or through the tourist office.
• Châlons has only one champagne house, so the better-known houses of Épernay and the Côte des Blancs need a trip out.
• Spit as you taste, and choose a designated driver if you are driving.

Châlons-en-Champagne station is served by TGV and TER, on the TGV line between Paris-Est and Bar-le-Duc. From Paris Gare de l'Est, the direct TGV takes about 1 hour and the TER 1 hour 35 minutes.