The Champagne Route: Troyes, Épernay, Reims

• Discover delightful Troyes, a well-preserved town of half-timbered medieval houses and French Renaissance hotels particuliers

• Admire outstanding medieval stained glass, on the Route des Vitrails in and around Troyes

• Understand significant figures from the Middle Ages from Champagne’s merchants to the Knights Templar and St Bernard in Clairvaux

• Visit a number of the world’s most prestigious wineries, in the heart of the Champagne-making district at Épernay

• Marvel at Reims’ magnificent Gothic cathedral, the traditional place of French kings’ coronation and a repository of outstanding medieval artefacts & architecture

• Survey fine French art, including Renoir in Bar-sur-Seine and painting and sculpture collections in Reims

TUESDAY 02 JUNE 2026 – ARRIVAL (D)

The tour commences in Troyes, conveniently reached by high-speed train from Paris. We meet in the lobby of our hotel at 6.00pm for an orientation stroll, followed by a drink together in our hotel. There is dinner in a local restaurant tonight. Overnight Troyes.

WEDNESDAY 03 JUNE – IN MEDIEVAL TROYES (B)

In the Middle Ages, the balance of trade was carefully established by annual currency deliberations at trade fairs throughout Europe. These were usually in well-connected locations, and also in cities and towns that had been granted the permission to mint coinage. The Champagne fairs were among the most important of the twelfth and thirteenth centuries, with European merchant bankers meeting in towns such as Troyes to deal in textiles, leather, fur, spices – and currency itself. As we discover with a talk in our hotel and on our guided walking tour, Troyes’ pleasant aspect today, from half-timbered houses to well-preserved stone hotels particuliers of the French Renaissance, is due to the wealth it accumulated as the host of the medieval trade fairs. This also allowed for the reconstruction of Troyes cathedral in a grand Gothic style, and for the arrival of diverse population groups, such as the Jews who established a quarter in the city from the eleventh century. After our walking tour and lunch at leisure, there is time to make an optional visit to Troyes’ seventeenth-century synagogue. The later afternoon and evening are at leisure. Overnight Troyes.

THURSDAY 04 JUNE – CHURCHES, CHEESE & RENOIR’S ESSOYES (B)

Today we take an excursion by private coach to the south-east of Troyes, still a predominantly agricultural region dotted with small villages. One of these, Essoyes, was the hometown of Renoir’s wife Aline, and the painter and his family had a residence here, where returned every summer for thirty years. We take a guided tour ofRenoir’s home, studio and garden, before lunch at leisure in the pleasant village. Afterwards, we continue to the village of Chaource. Together with a guide, we visit the church of Saint-Jean-Baptiste, which preserves some outstanding examples of Gothic sculpture, before we continue to a local fromagerie. A soft-ripened cheese has been made from local cow’s milk in Chaource since at least the Middle Ages, as we discover on our tour of an artisanal dairy. There is naturally an opportunity to sample some cheese, before we continue to nearby Evry-le-Châtel. Its church of Saint-Pierre-ès-Liens preserves outstanding examples of early sixteenth-century stained glass, including a cycle of illustrations that were commissioned by a local widow and show Italian poet Petrarch’s allegorical Triumphs. Returning to Troyes, the evening is at leisure. Overnight Troyes.

FRIDAY 05 JUNE – THE CITÉ DU VITRAIL & CHAMPAGNE CELLARS (B, L)

Troyes and the Aube region, named for the river, developed as a centre of European glass-making from the fifteenth century. In its heyday, 30 master glass artisans were based in the pre-modern town, a staggering amount for a protected and even secretive craft such as this. We begin today with a guided tour of the Cité du Vitrail, the so-called City of Stained Glass. Documenting the rise of the craft in Troyes, it introduces the different styles and techniques that we witness in the coming days on Champagne’s so-called Route du Vitrail. We then make a short journey by private coach into the countryside outside Troyes, in order to enjoy lunch followed by a tour and tasting of a Champagne winery. This family business is now led by one of its women, and produces a clean but fruity Champagne, with lemon notes and a highly-regarded “mousse” (the froth produced as the wine is poured into the glass)! Returning to Troyes, the later afternoon and evening are at leisure. Overnight Troyes.

SATURDAY 06 JUNE – HALF-TIMBERED HERITAGE & THE HAUTE MARNE (B, L)

Like the Aube, the Marne river has shaped trade, communications, agriculture and gastronomy in the region due east of Troyes. Today we take a private excursion into the so-called Haute-Marne, a department that preserves important examples of medieval and Renaissance art and architecture, but also echoes of the destruction wrought in the region by the First World War. One of the most distinctive styles of architecture in this region is showcased in its churches à pan de bois: half-timbered structures in a style more commonly used for domestic architecture, surmounted by a shingle roof. In Longsols, we visit the fifteenth-century Saint-Julien-l’Hospitalier-Saint Blaise, boasting a monumental timbered interior, before continuing to Saint-Nicolas in Outines, the region’s largest half-timbered church. Its heavy pillars and beams dating to the sixteenth century. There is lunch in a highly-regarded country hostellerie in Colombey-les-Deux-Églises before a visit to the Museum and Memorial Charles-de-Gaulle. The great general settled with his family in Colombey in 1934, and a permanent and modern museum now tells the history of his first military experiences, strategic and political triumphs in World War II, and establishment of the French Fifth Republic. Returning to Troyes, the evening is at leisure. Overnight Troyes.

SUNDAY 07 JUNE – KNIGHTS, MONKS & ABBOTS (B, L)

The Knights Templar were among the most wealthy and politically active of the medieval Christian military orders. Until their spectacular fall from grace in the early fourteenth century, they protected Christian pilgrims travelling to Palestine and a network of headquarters and chapels was established, from the Iberian peninsula through Western Europe and on to the Balkans, Middle East and north Africa. Today’s excursion begins with a visit to the Commandery of Avalleur, one of the best-preserved Templar headquarters in existence. Established ca 1142, it survived the fourteenth-century destruction of the Order’s property, as well as the French Revolution and the turmoil of the First World War, and still preserves its painted decorations and robust architecture. Afterwards, we continue to Clairvaux for a simple lunch in a local restaurant. In the afternoon, we take a guided tour of Clairvaux Abbey. Founded in 1115 by St Bernard, it was the centre for his early reforms of the Benedictines, resulting in the establishment of the Cistercian order. Simple but beautiful, the monastic complex was designed to facilitate a meditative, industrious and self-sustaining life. Note: Clairvaux Abbey was a state prison until 2023, and it is still the property of the Ministry of Justice; for this reason, passports must be presented for visits. Returning to Troyes, the evening is at leisure. Overnight Troyes.

MONDAY 08 JUNE – CHÂLONS-EN-CHAMPAGNE (B, D)

We check out this morning and travel first to Châlons-en-Champagne, a pretty town located alongside the Marne. As we discover on a guided walking tour, it has a layered history: Roman foundations lying underneath its medieval half-timbered houses, a strong Jewish heritage, devastation during both World Wars – and the cathedral of Saint-Étienne, with an exceptional series of stained-glass windows that date from the twelfth down to the nineteenth century. There is time for lunch at leisure before a cruise on the Marne on a flat-bottomed boat. Afterwards, we continue to Joseph Perrier for a tour of this historic Champagne house, established in 1825 in chalk-mining pits dating back to the Gallo-Roman age. Six generations later, it is still owned and operated by the same family. We have tour of the cellars and a Champagne tasting, accompanied by some local Brie cheese. Continuing to Reims, we check into our hotel and have a simple dinner in a local restaurant. Overnight Reims.

TUESDAY 09 JUNE – IN REIMS & THE POMMERY CELLARS (B)

After a talk in the hotel, we meet our local guide for a walking tour of Reims. In the first century BCE, the local tribe of Remi aligned themselves with Julius Caesar during the Conquest of Gaul, gaining important political and economic concessions. Reims was also an early seat of a bishop and in 496, Clovis, victorious King of the Franks, was anointed here with sacred oil – brought directly from heaven by a dove – by bishop and local saint Remigius. This powerful gesture of divine right was echoed for centuries in the coronation of French kings in Reims cathedral. A stage for royal pomp and circumstance, the building was enriched by successive generations of kings, archbishops and even emperors. Its Gothic structure was embellished with more than 2,000 statues, and an important series of thirteenth-century windows in stained glass. After World War II, it was reconstructed, with modern jewels such as stained-glass windows designed by Marc Chagall. After lunch at leisure, we take a tour of Reims’ Pommery cellars. This Champagne house was founded in 1858, with a primary interest in dealing in wool, but it became one of the region’s most important Champagne producers thanks to the guidance of Louise Pommery – another of the celebrated widows who shaped the destiny of well-known Champagne houses! After a tour of the cellars with a Champagne tasting, there is the opportunity to delight in the Villa Demoiselle, a private residence that combines elements of Art Nouveau and Art Deco style and was also the creation of Madame Louise. The evening is at leisure. Overnight Reims.

WEDNESDAY 10 JUNE – ÉPERNAY, THE HEART OF CHAMPAGNE (B)

Today we journey into the very heart of the Champagne wine-making district: Épernay. The unique local geology – a predominance of chalk, for example – has allowed the cultivation of Pinot Noir, Pinot Meunier and Chardonnay grapes here since the Middle Ages. The méthode traditionnelle of primary fermentation, secondary fermentation in the bottle, and aging on lees is part of the alchemy of Champagne production, and it takes place in numerous houses located in the centre of Épernay. As we discover on our guided tour of the Avenue de Champagne, a full kilometre of the town’s centre is lined with eighteenth- and nineteenth-century Champagne houses and proprietors’ residences. Grandiose properties here still bear the names of Möet & Chandon, Perrier-Jouët and Pol Roger. After a visit to the Musée du Vin de Champagne et d’Archéologie régionale, a well-set-out explanation of the region’s history and wine-making economy, there is time for lunch at leisure. In the afternoon, we pay our respects in the Abbey of Saint-Pierre d’Hautvillers, at the tomb of Dom Pérignon. This Benedictine monk is credited with the semi-mythological creation of sparkling wine, and a celebrated vintage still bears his name! Returning to the hotel, the evening is at leisure. Overnight Reims. 

THURSDAY 11 JUNE – SAINT-REMI & THE KINGS OF FRANCE (B, D)

In the eleventh century, a large Romanesque church was built over the site of St Remigius’s tomb. Bishop of Reims and the so-called Apostle of the Franks, he had baptised Clovis I in 496, and both during his life and after his death, he was venerated for his miracle-working powers. The large basilica of Saint-Remi, constructed to accommodate many pilgrims, is an austere building with beautiful light, despite the depredations of World War II. The adjacent Musée Saint-Remi contains important collections of medieval sculpture and Renaissance tapestries, as well as pottery and jewellery from the Gallic period. After a tour and Champagne tasting at GH Martel, there is time this afternoon for last-minute shopping or packing, before we travel to the Château de Sacy, outside Reims. This nineteenth-century château has a small but highly-regarded restaurant, where we enjoy our farewell dinner. Overnight Reims.

FRIDAY 12 JUNE – DEPARTURE (B)

Our tour concludes after breakfast in the hotel. There are regular departures from Reims to Paris by high-speed train, a comfortable and fast journey. Our partners at Mary Rossi will be pleased to advise on this and other aspects of your travel arrangements, including comprehensive international travel insurance.

Hôtel De La Poste 4* Troyes, 6 nights

http://www.hotel-de-la-poste.com/en/

This hotel has been renovated in a modern style and forms part of the Best Western Premier range. We have selected Comfort rooms, which at 16sqm are a typical size for a centrally-located hotel in a French city.

Best Western Hôtel de la Paix 4* Reims, 4 nights

https://www.bestwestern-lapaix-reims.com/en/

We have selected rooms in the Tradition category, which are 18sqm on average. The hotel has undergone a contemporary renovation which has left it with somewhat of a business-like feel.

NB: hotels of a similar standard may be substituted.

• 10 nights’ accommodation at 4* hotels

• All breakfasts, 6 lunches or dinners, 4 cellar visits with Champagne tastings

• All ground transport, guided tours and entrance fees to sites as mentioned in the itinerary, and tipping

• Talks by and expertise of an Australian tour leader throughout

• Assistance by experienced French-speaking tour manager throughout

A $1,000pp deposit is required at the time of booking to hold your place on tour.

A second deposit of $1,500pp is due on 04 December 2025.

We will invoice you for final payment for the tour, due on 19 March 2026.

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