Bubbling Over: Guide to Best Champagne House Tours in the Heart of France

Welcome to the picturesque region of Champagne, a region synonymous with celebration, luxury, and the delightful elixir that bears its name. Nestled in the northeastern corner of France, the Champagne region beckons enthusiasts and curious travellers alike to explore its rolling vineyards, historic towns, and, most notably, the UNESCO-protected chalk caves that house the aging treasures of renowned Champagne houses.

Here you will encounter an array of tasting houses to choose from, each offering a unique blend of history, art, and, of course, a unique expression of the most celebrated bubbles. From internationally acclaimed names to hidden gems waiting to be discovered, the Champagne region boasts around 300 Champagne houses. Read below to find out which are the best Champagne House Tours.

Table of Content

Champagne Ruinart

Champagne Pommery

Champagne Veuve Clicquot

Champagne Gosset

Champagne Bollinger

A defining feature of Champagne's landscape is the labyrinthine network of chalk caves that meander beneath the surface. These subterranean cellars serve as the cradle for the aging process, providing the optimal conditions of constant temperature and humidity. What makes these caves particularly special is their designation as a UNESCO World Heritage site, a recognition of their integral role in shaping the identity of Champagne.

While they are a hallmark of the region, not every champagne house has access to them.  Only a select few, often the more established and historic houses, have the privilege of aging their Champagne in these subterranean sanctuaries, which is something to consider when choosing where to embark on your tours. Before our trip to Champagne, we did extensive research on the best places to visit, and now after our incredible visit, we would like to pass our first-hand knowledge down to you to do the same.

1. Champagne Ruinart: The Best Champagne House Tour

Ruinart stands out as a unanimous champion for numerous reasons. Firstly, their champagne is simply divine, which led to lengthy debates in their gift shop about exactly how many bottles we could responsibly bring home. Secondly, Ruinart boasts the UNESCO-protected caves where the magic of aging their champagnes unfolds. Thirdly, this champagne house has a heavy focus on art, featuring a gallery in which they house their rotating displays of collaborations with different artists. The pièce de résistance is an art installation with a mesmerizing light show housed entirely within their caves. Lastly, the meticulously crafted tour here is a testament to the time invested in its preparation.

2. Champagne Pommery: The Easy Visit

Pommery makes the list for being one of the few champagne houses where reservations aren't necessary. Drop in and savour as many varieties as you desire at their bar, or opt for a self-guided tour through their enchanting caves. Pommery's large visiting area also houses unique art pieces, making it a delight for spontaneous visitors.

3. Veuve: Classic Perfection

The tour at Veuve Clicquot can be directly compared to their champagne: universally appealing and flawlessly crafted. We opted for the Art of aging tour here, and although it is not a necessary upgrade from their more basic options, there were some interesting scent and video additions we did not encounter anywhere else. Here we relished not only that the champagne was accompanied by a delightful and taste-altering cheese pairing, but that the entire tasting portion of the tour took place underground in their chalk caves (to which this house also has access). Here we sampled the oldest bottle of our trip: an extraordinary 1990 vintage. If you are short on time, a visit to Veuve’s patio for a glass is always an option, however, you will miss out on learning about the groundbreaking advancements this house has contributed to the history of making Champagne.

4. Champagne Gosset: The Connoisseur's Choice

For the connoisseurs, Gosset is a must-visit. Whether you book a tasting or decide to pop in spontaneously, be prepared to allocate ample time. Gosset's array of champagne varieties, each curated for specific occasions and cuisines, left us in awe. We couldn't resist bringing home an entire case, which included a few rare bottles(only 5000-6000 ever made) that were somehow still reasonably priced under 150 euros. Additionally, Gosset’s style of champagne making allows all of their bottles to age gracefully for up to two decades.

5. Champagne Bollinger: An Honorable Mention

When we learned that our favorite brand of champagne had recently decided to open its doors for public tours in an unprecedented move, we were the first to sign up. We entered the house in Epernay with extremely high expectations of the official English Royal champagne.

We visited their small gated-in vineyard across the street, went down to their underground cellars, watched the riddlers at work, saw some very rare bottles locked away in cages, and of course, tasted their renowned product. While this experience was of course memorable, it did fall short of what we experienced elsewhere in Champagne. Since these tours are a new addition for Bollinger, perhaps like their champagne, they may evolve and perfect over time. 

Each of the houses in Champagne offers a unique blend of history, art, and exceptional bubbles. Whether you're a seasoned enthusiast or a casual sipper, these tours promise an unforgettable journey through the effervescent world of Champagne. While we have our favorite Champagne house tour listed above, your choice may come down which Champagne you enjoy the most. Cheers to the vine-covered landscapes and UNESCO-protected cellars that give us this heavenly elixir!