COMITÉ CHAMPAGNE
Champagne - A Millennial Guide Françoise Peretti, Director of Champagne Bureau UK shares her insights on where to go and what to do for travellers seeking a fresh take on the region.
Both in travel and beyond, Millennials are a generation full of curiosity - seeking authentic experiences that engage both the senses and mind, make you feel alive and create long lasting memories. Sustainability and solid eco-credentials are also high on the agenda and of course, in a world where social media reigns supreme, the more ‘Instagrammable’ the better. Luckily for us based in the UK, Champagne is right on our doorstep, offering those credentials and so much more, and should undoubtedly be at the top of the list for young British travellers. Less than a four-hour drive from London or a 45-minute fast train (TGV) ride from Paris, the world’s most prestigious wine region happens to be just about the most easily accessible. In addition to being a UNESCO world heritage site, Champagne was also the first wine region to conduct a carbon footprint assessment over 20 years ago and this sustainable ethos permeates both its wine production and culture. The past few years have seen a host of new locations appear and experiences arrive for travellers to discover - from treetop bars through to contemporary art shows. Here’s a brief (and by no means exhaustive!) guide to some of the exciting places to visit.
Where to sleep For those seeking a chic wellness retreat, Le Royal Champagne Hotel & Spa in Champillon would be an ideal choice. Opened in 2018, the hotel is nestled in the vineyards of Champagne, with panoramic views of the secluded, vine-covered hills of Epernay. It has just 49 rooms, a Michelin-starred restaurant and a luxuriously spacious 16,000 square foot spa with a pool to unwind in. Another option could be Cottages Antoinette, an innovative ecological project composed of 3 cottages built on stilts in the middle of the Champagne vineyards, on the edge of the forest, above the village of Chigny-les-Roses. These offer a panoramic view of the vineyards and the city of Reims. If you’re keen to be in the city itself, there are a whole host of hotels and B&Bs to choose from.
What to eat and where to drink In the City of Reims, during the daytime take a stroll through the Boulingrin a food market, listed as a historical monument in 1990. Pop in for brunch or charcuterie at Le Cabasson, a quirky
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