The Connoisseurs from Epernay (Private Half day Champagne Tour)
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September 2026
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Adults
Age 13 and over
Children
Age 12 and under
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Free cancellation up to 24 hours before. Same price on Viator, Outty earns a commission.
Traveler rating
4.8/5
Based on 62 traveler reviews. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Quick answer
Is The Connoisseurs from Epernay (Private Half day Champagne Tour) worth booking?
The Connoisseurs from Epernay (Private Half day Champagne Tour) is a 3.5-hour experience in Reims, France, from $338 per person. It scores 68 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “Solid Choice”, based on a 4.8/5 rating across 62 reviews. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time. Same-day spots are currently showing.
- Outty Ranking
- 68 / 100
- Rating
- 4.8/5 (62)
- Duration
- 3.5 hours
- From
- $338 per person
Near Epernay, Capital of the Champagne vineyard, discovery of the "Côte des Blancs" Grand Cru and the famous village and vineyard of Hautvillers in the historic hillsides of the Marne Valley listed as World Heritage Site
What you get
About this experience
Near Epernay, Capital of the Champagne vineyard, discovery of the "Côte des Blancs" Grand Cru and the famous village and vineyard of Hautvillers in the historic hillsides of the Marne Valley listed as World Heritage Site by UNESCO. In Hautvillers, village called the “Cradle of Champagne”, guided tour of the church of Dom Pérignon and the vineyard. Pause at the most beautiful viewpoint of Champagne in the heart of the vineyard with explanations of viticulture management. Visit the production sites of two families of independent producers/growers followed by commented tastings of a selection of 6 Champagnes Grand Cru/Premier Cru, as well as the essential Champagne alcohols and aperitifs during additional tastings. Discovery tour of the "Côte des Blancs", famous area for its Grand Cru Chardonnay 100% Blanc de Blancs. Commented passage through the Avenue de Champagne in Epernay, called "the most expensive Avenue in the World" with its 200 million bottles in the cellars.
What's included
Included
- Private transportation
- Visits and tastings of 6 Champagnes Grand Cru/Premier Cru
- Additional tastings of the 3 essential Champagne alcohols and aperitifs (Ratafia, Fine, Marc)
- Private passionate Guide/Chauffeur
- Pick up in the perimeter of 6kms (3.7 miles) around Epernay
What you'll see and do
Abbaye Saint-Pierre d'Hautvillers
In Hautvillers, village called the “Cradle of Champagne”, enjoy a private tour of the Church where the grave of Dom Pérignon, known as the spiritual father of Champagne, is. We will tell you his story and you will finally know whether or not he is the inventor of Champagne !
30 minutes here
Hautvillers
In Hautvillers, we will also stop in the historical hillsides of Champagne listed as Word Heritage Site by Unesco to enjoy the most magnificent panorama of Champagne overlooking the Marne Valley, the place where Dom Pérignon carried out his experiments in winemaking. It is the ideal place in the heart of the vineyards to take unforgettable photos of you and this breathtaking landscape. We will visit the first of the 2 families of independent producers/growers that you will discover during your tour with explanations on the Champagne making process, visit of the presses, wineries and cellars. You will taste there, during a commented tasting, 3 different GrandCru/Premier Cru Champagnes*. *depending on the season and availability, this visit/tastings may take place in a village of the "Côte des Blancs" or in Aÿ-Champagne.
90 minutes here
Cramant
During your discovery tour in the "Côte des Blancs", we will go through Cramant which is one of the famous villages Grand cru located south of Epernay. This area in Champagne is called the "Kingdom of Chardonnay Grand Cru". We will also pass through other famous villages such as Chouilly and Avize, in front of the largest champagne bottles factory and near the famous "Chateau de Saran", the ultra private property where the luxury LVMH group (who owns Moët & Chandon, Dom Pérignon, Veuve Clicquot, Ruinart, Krug ...) receives its biggest customers and VIPs as well as the "Montaigu site" dedicated to the champagne making of Moët & Chandon.
Pass by without stopping
Oger
Oger is another renowned Grand Cru village in "Côte des Blancs" with the famous "Blanc de Blancs" 100% Chardonnay Grand Cru. This is where we will visit one of the 2 families of independent producers/growers of the tour with other explanations on the Champagne making process, visit to the presses, wineries and cellars. You will taste 3 100% Grand Cru Champagnes with tasting advice to discover the different "Blanc de Blancs" such as natural Champagne without dosage, extra brut, from old vines, vintage or even aged in oak barrels.
90 minutes here
Avenue de Champagne
We will cross in Epernay, the Capital of the Champagne vineyard, the "Avenue de Champagne" , a must-see Champagne UNESCO World Heritage Site. It is considered "the most expensive Avenue in the world" with its prestigious Champagne houses, its mansions and its 100 kilometers of cellars which hide 200 million bottles. A commented passage is planned to explain the history of its superb mansions and production buildings belonging for centuries to the Champagne Houses like Moët & Chandon, Perrier Jouët, Pol Roger, etc.
Pass by without stopping
Where it starts and ends
Meeting point
Reims
In front of Epernay train station (near city center).
Meeting point
Reims
In front of the Epernay Tourist Office (near city center and Champagne Moet & Chandon).
Hotel pickup
Pickup is available for selected locations. Pickup begins about 5 minutes before departure.
Ends at
In front of Epernay train station (near city center).
Ends at
In front of the Epernay Tourist Office (near city center and Champagne Moet & Chandon).
Options you can book
The Connoisseurs from Epernay (Private Tour)
Morning schedule
Afternoon schedule
Before you book
- Cancellation
- For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
- Languages
- en, fr
- Ticket
- Mobile Only
- Runs on
- Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri, Sat
- Group size
- Up to 12 travelers per booking
- Operated by
- Aÿ-Champagne Experience
Know before you go
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Photos
What travelers are saying
Outty’s summary of the themes that recur across 62 traveler reviews. Written by us, not quoted from reviewers.
Knowledge and storytelling
7 mentionsReviewers describe the commentary as informative rather than scripted.
The guide
4 mentionsTravelers single out the guide as the reason the experience works.
Small groups
4 mentionsThe group size is repeatedly described as intimate rather than packed.
Food and drink
2 mentionsThe tastings and food stops are a highlight for most reviewers.
Traveler reviews
62 verified traveler reviews for The Connoisseurs from Epernay (Private Half day Champagne Tour). Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Exceptional tour and experience
Philippe was a fabulous guide on this tour. He was knowledgeable, very friendly and helpful. He showed us a couple of small artisan champagne houses, which was excellent to see and we finished up visiting Dom Perignon’s resting place. The whole half day was beyond expectation and I would thoroughly recommend Philippe to friends and family.
Response from the operator: Thank you so much for your wonderful review! We are delighted to hear that you enjoyed your half-day private Champagne experience ( The Connoisseurs) and that our guide made the tour both informative, friendly, and memorable. It is a pleasure to know that you appreciated discovering the small family-owned Champagne wineries and visiting Dom Pérignon’s resting place. Your kind recommendation means a lot to us! We hope to welcome you again soon for another unforgettable experience in Champagne! 🥂
via Tripadvisor
Outstanding, educational and fun tour w local guide
Outstanding, educational and fun tour.... we learned about the nomenclature, process, denominations, and history of champagne with a fun local guide. The two tastings offered novel small production vineyards with s broad array of different champagne. Highly recommend.
Response from the operator: Thank you so much for your wonderful review, Pascal. It was a real pleasure to welcome you on our private “Les Connaisseurs” experience. From hotel pick-up to drop-off, our aim is to offer a seamless and fully personalized journey through Champagne. We are delighted that you enjoyed discovering the history, traditions, and craftsmanship behind Champagne, as well as the opportunity to explore carefully selected small producers and their distinctive cuvées. Sharing this experience with just the two of you allowed for meaningful discussions, flexibility, and a deeper immersion into the region we love. Thank you for your recommendation, and we hope to welcome you back to Champagne again soon!
via Viator
Great experience
Excellent. It was perfect. We recommend.
Response from the operator: Thank you very much for your 5-star review! We’re delighted you experienced our private “The Connoisseurs” tour from Épernay. Designed for a more immersive and refined discovery of Champagne, it’s a pleasure to know you had such a great time. We look forward to welcoming you again!
via Tripadvisor
Great trip to Champagne!
Great guide and a lovely trip around the countryside of Champagne. We learned a lot and had a great time!
Response from the operator: It was a real pleasure welcoming you and sharing my passion for Champagne with you. I’m delighted that you enjoyed the beautiful countryside and that you learned a lot during the tour. I truly appreciate your kind feedback and hope to have the pleasure of seeing you again for another sparkling experience in Champagne !
via Viator
Excellent experience
Really great experience on a private tour. Our guide Isabelle was really knowledgeable and shared her passion for the region with us as she took us around. Great customer service too when booking and all our questions were answered promptly which helped us decide which tour to book. We were lucky enough to be there at harvest time which added an extra dimension to the tour. Highly recommend.
Response from the operator: Thank you so much for your amazing 5-star review! 🌟 It was such a pleasure to guide you on a private tour and to share my passion for the Champagne region with you. I am delighted that you appreciated both the visit and the service during the booking process — our team always aims to make everything smooth and easy from start to finish. You were indeed very lucky to experience Champagne at harvest time, when the vineyards are full of life and the atmosphere is truly unique. I am so happy that this added an extra dimension to your journey. Your kind words and recommendation mean a lot, and I would be very glad to welcome you again on your next trip to Champagne! Warm regards, Isabelle Private Champagne Tours | Local Expertise | Authentic Experiences
via Tripadvisor
Good to know
- Duration
- 3.5 hours
- Free cancellation
- Up to 24h before
- Minimum age to book
- All ages
- Availability
- Bookable today
- Runs on
- Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri, Sat
- Hotel pickup
- Available for selected locations
- Booked in 30 days
- 22
- Verdict
- Solid Choice
Why this scores 68
The Outty Ranking is a weighted composite. Here is how this experience performed on each component.
The Connoisseurs from Epernay (Private Half day Champagne Tour): questions travelers ask
Practical detail on this experience, plus the wider planning questions for Reims.
How much does The Connoisseurs from Epernay (Private Half day Champagne Tour) cost?
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Prices start at $338 per person. The final price depends on the date, the time slot and the number of travelers, and peak weekends in Reims usually price higher than midweek mornings. Live pricing and remaining availability are confirmed on the booking screen before you pay.
How long does The Connoisseurs from Epernay (Private Half day Champagne Tour) take?
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Plan for about 3.5 hours from start to finish, not counting travel to the meeting point. Most travelers leave another 30 minutes on either side so the rest of the day in Reims is not rushed.
Is The Connoisseurs from Epernay (Private Half day Champagne Tour) worth it?
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It holds an Outty Ranking of 68 out of 100, which we label "Solid Choice". That score blends traveler sentiment (4.8/5 across 62 reviews), the depth of that review evidence, recent booking momentum, value for money against comparable last minute in Reims, and how flexible the cancellation terms are.
Can I cancel or reschedule The Connoisseurs from Epernay (Private Half day Champagne Tour)?
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Yes. Cancel free up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Inside that window the booking is non-refundable, and no-shows are not refunded.
Is The Connoisseurs from Epernay (Private Half day Champagne Tour) suitable for kids and families?
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Yes, all ages are welcome. Families should still weigh the 3.5-hour running time, and strollers are easier on the earlier, quieter departures.
How far in advance should I book The Connoisseurs from Epernay (Private Half day Champagne Tour)?
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Around 22 people booked this in the last 30 days, so popular slots go early. Two to three weeks ahead is comfortable in shoulder season, while summer weekends and holidays in Reims can sell out a month out. Same-day spots do open up when other travelers cancel, so it is worth checking if you are already in town.
What should I bring or wear?
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Bring photo ID, your booking confirmation on your phone, a refillable water bottle and comfortable shoes. Dress for the weather in Reims and add a light layer if any part of the 3.5-hour experience runs outdoors or after sunset.
Where does The Connoisseurs from Epernay (Private Half day Champagne Tour) start and how do I get there?
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The exact meeting point and directions are on your voucher once you book, and they sit in central Reims within reach of public transport. Arrive 15 minutes early: late arrivals are treated as no-shows by most operators.
What are the best things to do in Reims?
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On Outty we rank every Reims experience on the same 0 to 100 scale, and alongside this one the highest scorers right now include Small Group - Full Day Champagne Tour 3 Small Champagne Growers, Reims afternoon tour Champagne and family growers, Small Group - Half Day Champagne Tour - Visit of 2 Small Producers/Growers. The city page groups everything into most popular, highest reviewed, last minute and family-friendly so you can build a day around what actually delivers.
When is the best time to visit Reims?
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Booking patterns follow the same curve: prices and queues climb in peak weeks, while shoulder season gives you better availability on the top-ranked experiences and more room to change plans.
How many days do you need in Reims?
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Three full days covers the headline sights without sprinting. A workable rhythm is one anchor experience each morning, such as this one, an unhurried afternoon in a single neighborhood, then a food or nightlife booking in the evening. Five days lets you add a day trip outside the city.
Do I book through Outty or through the operator?
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Outty ranks and explains the experiences, then hands you to Viator to complete the booking with the operator directly. The price is the same as booking on Viator yourself, and Outty earns an affiliate commission on the referral, which is how the rankings stay free to read.
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