The One. The Only. The Majestic: Champagne Adrianne Dow Young

From the splendor of Avenue de Champagne to the sublime wilds of Ardennes, Champagne's unique blend of land, history, and spirit makes it an un-replicable experience. At every turn, there’s an opportunity to eat, sip, and marvel at the region’s history and art alongside its natural wonder. Nestled throughout Champagne’s bucolic calm are quaint towns and charming cities where expertly curated art exhibits are within walking distance. Become part of the nightlife in Reims or forever be swept away by the beauty of the Marne – in Champagne, if it’s glorious, it’s possible.

Inset into Champagne’s landscape of waterways and sloping vineyards are over 100 km of cycling routes that allow access to some of the most refined and natural facets of the area. Riders of all levels will enjoy easy-going courses that lead to picnic spots on sandy beaches or into the heart of the city to dine. For vineyard rides, head out on one of its five routes that offer authentic moments laced with art and history.

Take a morning ride on the Montagne de Reims route to see the Forest of Verzy – where the trees sculpt and fuse themselves into spectacular shapes. If you time it right, you can watch the morning fog lift from the vineyard slopes and then endeavor to lilt through an afternoon touring the champagne houses.

Easily accessible from Paris, Champagne’s idyllic sophistication is less than an hour by TGV, visitors can find themselves in awe at Chagall’s stained glass in the Reims Cathedral or gazing through a glass of rare bubbles at Mumm’s. While a champagne tasting and riverboat ride will make for a rich day trip, Champagne’s majesty – the way it lifts your heart and softens your shoulders – can easily command a few days. For additional nuance, add an excursion into the Loire.

The Garden Of France – Where Majesty Makes Merry

Champagne shares a majestic history with the Loire, where French royalty built magnificent chateaux along the banks of France’s longest river. There, they hunted, feasted, and celebrated in dizzying luxury. Even the countryside is loquaciously regal, with poplar-lined lanes and verdant horizons broken by spires and elegant roof lines. It’s easy to see how Balzac was inspired by this quintessentially French landscape.

Over 300 Chateaux stand today, and many have been restored to reflect their royal and historical past. Stroll in the paths of nobles and stand where dauphins were ordered to Reims to seek their crown. Tour the peaceful garden at Chateau Villandry, which embodies the idea of order and intellectual joy that grew in the Renaissance.

The oeuvre of the Renaissance brought Leonardo da Vinci to the Loire as First Painter, Architect, and Engineer to the King. See where Da Vinci lived and taught at the delightful Château du Clos Lucé, and his double helix “DNA” staircase design can be marveled at in Château de Chambord – 55 kilometers away.

For a once-in-a-lifetime perspective of Leonardo Da Vinci’s contributions and the Renaissance as a whole, attend one of the many events, exhibitions, workshops, and shows celebrating the movement that helped shape the enlightened grace of life in the Loire.

The Renaissance’s ideals still thrive in the region and can be experienced along the Loire’s 900 km of cycle-friendly routes. Routes take riders through assiduously pruned vineyards, along rivers, and through charming towns. Find exceptional regional cheese along the way, like Selles-sur-Cher – a raw goat’s milk cheese and, of course, world-famous wine.

Loire’s microclimates allow for a diverse breadth of wine. Taste crisp sparkling wine, delightfully acerbic Sauvignon blancs, and food-loving Cabernet Franc blends – to taste its wine is to understand the nuance of Loire. Dine out in remarkable cities like Tours, Chinon, or Langres –cities that, like the caves of Reims, still bear the chisel marks of Gallo-Roman times.

Where the Heart Sparkles – Reims

Reims offers a kaleidoscope of Champagne’s history and pleasures. Tour underground Gallo-Roman caves, walk Art Deco neighborhoods, and stand under the Gothic portico of the Reims Cathedral – where 11 French kings knelt for their crowns.

Just next door to the Reims Cathedral, Piano des Chefs offers a champagne pairing and cooking workshop where students can learn fine French culinary techniques and work with local produce. Not far away, find a charming Fossier’s Pink Biscuit – cookies that explode with a confetti of double-baked pink crumbs at the first bite (they were made for dunking into a sweeter incarnation of Champagne).

A premier and unmissable champagne experience is a tasting at Maison Mumm. The venerable champagne house offers three different 90-minute tours that range from tasting the winery’s iconic Cordon Rouge to a Grand Cru tasting for the true connoisseur.

Before a lively evening out, try Reims's ham wrapped in puff pastry with a dab of Clovis mustard – the city’s classic fare. Make reservations with one of Les Crayelles' three dining rooms, where expertly crafted plates are skillfully served with distinguished French service.

All that is Champagne, Above and Below – Epernay

Surrounded by vineyards and standing atop 100 km of underground chalk cellars, Epernay is dedicated to all things champagne. Wine lovers from around the world come to the city to taste champagne at its glittering source – the Avenue de Champagne.

Start with the superstar Moet et Chandon at the beginning of the Avenue and be awed by the champagne house’s labyrinth of caves. After a tour, taste hard-to-come-by vintages with a different appreciation for the wine and the land that makes it. Just up the Avenue is Champagne Boizel, where 30-minute and 90-minute guided tastings are both intimate and regal.

Emerge from the cool caves to toast the whole of Epernay from a tethered hot air balloon. From there, the view affords a sweeping view of the area and a perspective on the Champagne trails that meander to and from Epernay.

After a dip into Epernay’s bubbly ebullience, the Champagne Trail takes on a new dimension. Ride through the coveted vineyards in Aÿ and the popular Montagne de Reims, where the famously fickle pinot noir vines are in their element, and Chardonnay vines are kept perfectly balanced – pack a picnic and make dinner reservations. More champagne tasting awaits, as do the picturesque views of the Marne and expertly prepared freshwater fish at local tables. Relish every moment. Indeed, nothing else can claim the crown of Champagne.