On the road to Givet

The Champagne region is in an area mostly confined between Reims, Epernay, and Châlons-en-Champaigne.
On the map below, Reims is just off the top of the map, slightly to the left of center. (Where A4 and N44
are converging)



 Coincidentally, when driving between Givet and CDG one passes very close to this region.  It would be a shame to ignore such an important region, wouldn't it?

Some years ago I got some very nice champagne at Jean Aubry's winery, located in Jouy-Lès-Reims, after having gotten a recommendation that wineries in this area have some of the best champagne.  Was it as good as a Grand Cru? I don't really know.  But it was very good nonetheless. 

The village square (you can't miss it, the village is tiny) has a map showing the local wineries...if I recall correctly, there's about half a dozen or so.   To get there, get off of the A4 on the second? (first?) exit south of Reims on the way to Paris.  Go along D26 for about 2km and you're there.


Here's a site that collects links to wineries.  Very useful!  Also, from one of the websites, here's an overall map of the Champagne region.   The star labeled "8" is near Jouy-Lès-Reims.  If you want to visit particular wineries, particularly when it's the "off-season" (like non-summer, or Sunday, or holidays), it's a good idea to send them an e-mail message and let them know when you'd like to visit.

But you can always just drive around and see what's open.  Along the Marne is good, and from Epernay one can fine wineries to the west, north and south.

From the map, it look like taking the A4 from Reims *away* from Paris will bring you to some good wineries, but sadly I haven't explored in that area (yet!)