Things To Do in Epernay
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Epernay Attractions
The center of town and shopping district radiate out from the place Hugues Plomb and its fountain. Gourmet foodstuffs can be found in and around the iron-and-glass Halle Saint-Thibault near the place d’Europe (a very seductive food market is held inside on Wednesday 7am-12:30pm and Saturday 7am-2pm). Boutiques and shops abound in the pedestrian district of place des Arcades, rue du Général-Leclerc, rue St-Thibault, rue St-Martin, and rue Porte Lucas. You'll find stores selling gifts, clothes, antiques, books, and regional food items.
For champagne, you can go to the individual houses along the avenue de Champagne or one of the shops representing a variety. Both La Cave Salvatori, 11 rue Flodoard (tel. 03-26-55-32-32; Tue–Fri 10am–noon and 2–7pm, Sat 10am-7pm), and Les Grands Vins de France, just a few doors down the road (6 rue Flodoard; les-grands-vins.fr; tel. 03-26-54-23-11; daily 10am-7:30pm, until 8pm Fri and Sat), stock a wide array of labels and vintages.
For wine-themed items such as champagne buckets and flutes, try Home, 12 rue du Professeur Langevin (www.home-boutique.fr; tel. 03-26-51-83-83; Tue-Sat 10am-noon, 3-6pm).
- Winery/Brewery/Distillery
Champagne de Castellane
De Castellane gives you a comprehensive view of how champagne is produced , with several tours on offer, from a simple cellar tour, to the Heritage Tour, which gives an insight into the corking and labeling processes. All include tastings and access to the on-site museum. If you’re…Around Town
- Winery/Brewery/Distillery
Mercier
Mercier is near Moët et Chandon, and you can visit them both on the same day. Mercier conducts tours in English of its 18km (11 miles) of tunnels from laser-guided trains—reached by an elevator that descends past rudimentary champagne-themed dioramas. The caves contain one of the…Around Town - Winery/Brewery/Distillery
Moët et Chandon Champagne Cellars
One of the most prestigious champagne houses runs an informative tour, describing the champagne-making process and filling you in on champagne lore: Napoleon, a friend of Jean-Rémy Moët, used to stop by for thousands of bottles on his way to battle. The only time he didn’t take a…Around Town
Epernay Nightlife
As you’d imagine, Epernay has its fair share of champagne bars. The smartest is undoubtedly Chez Georges (www.georgescartier.com; tel. 03-26-32-06-22; Wed–Sat 6pm–2am, Sun 4pm–midnight) at Champagne Georges Cartier, 9 rue Jean Chandon Moët. A DJ spins on Friday and Saturday evenings and you can enjoy the outside terrace in summer. For a change of scenery along the Marne River, Le C Nautique, 1 quai de l’Île Belon (tel. 09-74-97-27-16; le-c-lanautique.fr) is open daily until 8pm (until 9pm Fri and Sat). Sit outside and soak up the riverside views, as you sip excellent but little-known champagnes by the glass (a four-glass sampler costs 31€; you can also order cheese and charcuterie, or plates of smoked salmon 13€).
