THE CHAMPAGNE REGION
DE CHAMPAGNESTREEK
The Champagne region is located in the North-East of France,
some 150 km east of Paris
Production area
about 34.300 ha and 280.000 plots
Number of crus (champagne producing villages: 319
370 champagne houses
130 cooperatives
16.000 champagne wines growers
of which about 1/3 are producing their own champagne
5 Departements
Marne, Aube, Aisne, Haute-Marne and Seine-et-Marne.
Major areas
Montagne de Reims, Vallée de la Marne, Côte des Blancs en Côte des Bar, close to Burgundy.
Information 2023 -Comité Champagne
Climate
The Champagne region is located between 49 and 49,5 degrees northern latitude. From 50 degrees and up, it is generally considered difficult to obtain quality grapes, so the Champagne vineyards are located right on the borderline. That means a challenging climate for the champagne grapes!
There is a dual climate; both a continental and an oceanic climate. The oceanic climate ensures sufficient rain and little temperature contrasts.
Sometimes, heavy hailstorms take place, which can cause severe damage to both vines and grapes.
Characteristics of a continental climate are, for example, harsh frost periods in the winter months and in spring. This can severely damage vines and grapes that bud early.
In recent years, the average temperature in Champagne has risen. As a result, more and more millésimés are being produced.
The terroir in Champagne is also playing an increasingly important role. Here, you can find more information about this.
E Vidal - Coll ADT Marne
The capital of Champagne
The main cities in the Champagne region are Épernay and Reims. Épernay, with the famous Avenue de Champagne, where many famous champagne houses are located, is beautifully surrounded by vineyards.
For many centuries, French kings have been crowned in Reims. You can also finds the 'crayères' here, the huge chalk quarries.
Both cities present themselves more or less as the capital of champagne/Champagne and both of them, like so many picturesque villages, are absolutely worth a visit!
Since 2015, 'the Champagne Hillsides, Houses and Cellars' are part of UNESCO World Heritage. This heritage consists of three distinctive parts: The historic vineyards of Hautvillers, Aÿ and Mareuil-sur-Aÿ, Saint-Nicaise Hill in Reims, and the Avenue de Champagne and Fort Chabrol in Épernay.
Avenue de Champagne in Épernay
Cathédrale Notre Dame in Reims
Route Touristique du CHAMPAGNE
The Route Touristique du CHAMPAGNE actually consists of 5 different routes through all parts of the Champagne region.
In total, it covers no less than 600 kilometers through idyllic villages and past vineyards, places of interest and, of course, past champagne houses and producers.
It includes about 80 places for you to visit, so that you can get a marvelous impression of the region, but also of its historical heritage .
On the website of l'Agence de Développement Touristique (ADT) de la Marne you can find more information about the routes and highlights during your discovery trip through the Champagne region!
Are you planning to visit the Champagne region?
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Royal Champagne