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BEER AND CROISSANTS

Home > Destinations > Moët and Chandon tour: Epernay France

Moët and Chandon tour: Epernay France

Published on March 3, 2016 Updated on January 31, 2020

Moet and Chandon tours in Epernay

Moet and Chandon tour Epernay

TABLE OF CONTENTS

  • Moet and Chandon tour Epernay
  • The caves
  • Inside the Moët and Chandon House
  • Tasting
  • The gift shop
  • Tour details
    • Costs
    • Duration
    • Opening times
    • Bookings

Every now and then, I think it’s ok to do something that might appear a little more touristy. I’m comfortable that our style of independent travel has us following what we want to do, in the way that we want to do it, without becoming tourist sheep.

Our visit to the Moët and Chandon Caves might be considered by some to be more “middle of the road” than “off the beaten path” but with my love of French Champagne, and the beautiful town of Epernay, this was something that I definitely wanted to do.

There are many Champagne Houses on the Avenue de Champagne that allow you to see what they have in the underground caves.  We chose Moët and Chandon, one of the older Champagne Houses in the region.  Moët and Chandon have been making their own branded Champagne since 1743 and also the famous Dom Pérignon.

The Moët and Chandon House is located on the Avenue, close to the city end of Epernay.

Moët and Chandon Epernay France

Moët and Chandon

Moet and Chandon Epernay cave tour

The statue of Dom Perignon at the front of the Moët and Chandon House

The caves

Our tour guide, Justine,  meets us at 9.30am and I fall in love with her accent straight away.  Oh how I could listen to the French all day.   We are in luck today with only four other people on this tour, giving us plenty of access to Justine to listen and ask questions.

Moet and Chandon Epernay cave tour

Listening intently

We learned all about the true ‘method champenoise’ and the particular making of both Moët and Chandon and Dom Pérignon.

The iconic Champagne from Moët and Chandon is their Impériale, but they are also well known for their Grand Vintage.  The two are easily identifiable with the vintage clearly showing the year on the label.  The label has been designed to represent the way in which the year is written in chalk on the bottles down in the cellars.

Moët and Chandon Grand Vintage, unlike many Champagnes are produced using  grapes only from a particular year.  Vintages are only made if the grapes from that year are deemed to be exceptional.  ie Moët and Chandon Grand Vintage is not made every year.

At the present time, Moët and Chandon are releasing 2006 Grand Vintage Champagne to the market.

In amongst the chalky earth underneath the House of Moët and Chandon lie 28km of  cellars, over three levels.  They are the largest in the Champagne region, so it was another reason that I was pleased to be here. Millions of bottles of their finest, including the Grand Vintage are safely kept down here in a temperature and humidity controlled environment, usually around 12-13 degrees celsius.

Moet and Chandon Epernay cave tour

The caves – nothing small about these ones

 

Moet and Chandon

Incredibly, bottles of Dom Pérignon, dating from 1973 to 1968 can be found down here.  You can imagine the cobwebs on them all!

Moet and Chandon Cave tour Epernay

These have obviously been down in the caves for a while

Moet and Chandon

 

moet and chandon tour epernay

So much Champagne under here. Heaven !

 

We also learnt about riddling, the art of turning the Champagne bottles so as to bring all of the sediment together to make it easier to remove.  Many of the bottles down in the caves are turned by hand.

 

Moët and Chandon Epernay France

Riddling boards

 
Moët and Chandon Epernay France

Amazing how many caves are under here

moet and chandon tour epernay

Numbering system used to identify the cellars and the particular Champagnes

Moët and Chandon Epernay France

Another way of identifying the cellars by numbering a bottle

 

Moet and Chandon

Trolleys used to carry the wine around underground

Inside the Moët and Chandon House

The grand buildings of the Avenue de Champagne are stunning on the outside, and often even more amazing inside.

Moët and Chandon Epernay France

The dining setting

Moët and Chandon Epernay France

Sitting room

 

Moët and Chandon Epernay France

Fireplace

Tasting

I thought they’d never ask!  It might only be 12 degrees downstairs, but I’ve worked up a definite thirst.  It doesn’t matter what time of the day it is, I will always find time for French Champagne.

I will never be in a position to really be able to tell different labels from each other simply by tasting them.  Having said that, Moët and Chandon Impériale does have quite a distinctive taste and it’s quite a bit more yellow in colour than other French Champagnes.

What I can tell, instantly, is that it is French Champagne.  I may not know the label, but the number of bubbles in your mouth make it instantly recognisable.  There are more bubbles in French Champagne than any other sparkling.

I savour every mouthful of this liquid gold.

Here’s Cheers!

moet and chandon tour epernay

Finally time to drink some of their fine bubbles

 

Moët and Chandon Epernay France

Drinking Moet and Chandon in their own glasses

The gift shop

This is a mega gift shop and bottle shop with all the varieties of their Champagne on offer, plus a whole lot more.

Moet and Chandon

The many sizes of Moët and Chandon

 

Moët and Chandon

A bottle of the finest

 

Amazing chandelier made from Moët and Chandon glasses

Amazing chandelier made from Moët and Chandon glasses

Tour details

Moët and Chandon

20 Avenue de Champagne
51200 Epernay

Costs

      • Traditional tour (visit and 1 glass of Moët Impérial) €22 per person
      • Impériale tour (visit, 1 glass of Moët Impérial and 1 glass of Rosé Impérial) €28 per person
      • Grand Vintage tour (Visit and 1 glass of Grand Vintage and 1 glass of Grand Vintage Rosé) €35 per person
      • Under 18 years 10€/person (no tasting)
      • Under 10 years free (no tasting)

 

Duration

Allow one hour for the tour

Opening times

Monday – Friday

From February 1st to March 20th

From November 19th to December 31st

Everyday

From March 21st to November 18th, 2016

Annual Closing : January, 1st to January 31

Bookings

It is recommended to book online to ensure you have secured your place on the tour.  There are four timeslots each day.

 

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Moet and Chandon

 
 
 

Filed Under: Destinations, Europe, France

Previous Post: « Epernay: Rich in history and fabulous champagne| France
Next Post: Why visiting a small Champagne house is the best »

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Chantell Collins

    March 3, 2016 at 9:09 am

    This sounds like so much fun! Although I am not a huge champagne fan, a few glasses of the good stuff would be treat after exploring the caves. Also I love French accents too!

  2. Beer and Croissants

    March 3, 2016 at 10:09 am

    I shall drink your share then Chantell 🙂 Definitely a great way to end the tour.

  3. Anshula

    March 3, 2016 at 2:32 pm

    I’ve never drink, so I normally don’t end up going to these kind of places, but you’ve definitely sold me on the history basis. This sounds like an amazing place! Adding it to my must-sees list 😉

  4. Katie D.

    March 3, 2016 at 2:55 pm

    Definitely sounds like a luxurious way to sped a morning or afternoon! I too sometimes try to avoid “touristy” things, but end up relenting a good portion of the time because sometimes the hype and popularity means it really is that good!

  5. Beer and Croissants

    March 3, 2016 at 3:04 pm

    There’s definitely more to do in this town than drink. But it’s an added bonus for those who do.

  6. Beer and Croissants

    March 3, 2016 at 3:05 pm

    Agree Katie, sometimes the hype is for very good reason. And I guess until you do something once, you’ll never be able to benchmark it.

  7. Alayne Williams

    March 3, 2016 at 3:16 pm

    Your stories sure prove that you don’ t have to be a drinker to enjoy the tours of the underground caves.

  8. Beer and Croissants

    March 3, 2016 at 3:21 pm

    Absolutely!

  9. Lillian @ The Smalls Abroad

    March 3, 2016 at 6:57 pm

    We never made it Moet & Chandon but visited the caves of Pommery and GH Mumm. I must say however, once you’ve seen one, you’ve see them all. Very fascinating and well run nonetheless. Although I never saw anything like the M&C house at the other places. It’s a great way to spend the weekend out there. Here is my take from our visit 🙂
    http://www.lilliansmall.com/2013/06/venimus-vidimus-champagnimus/
    PS I found you via #AllAboutFrance linkup – Cheers!

  10. Cassandra Le

    March 3, 2016 at 7:14 pm

    I’ve always wanted to try authentic champagne!! This is definitely on my to-do list when I’m back in France (:

  11. Mel | illumelation

    March 3, 2016 at 11:43 pm

    Woah, bottles from 1968! One sip would probably have me on the floor grinning from the headrush. Can you tell I have a low alcohol tolerance? 🙂 Merci for such a charmingly written post. I’d love to do this tour the next time I’m in France.

  12. Sierra

    March 4, 2016 at 11:57 am

    Sounds nice! I had no idea they used caves like that …(obviously not a champagne drinker…) 😉

  13. Beer and Croissants

    March 4, 2016 at 6:24 pm

    Yes they are quite the hidden feature of this town.

  14. Beer and Croissants

    March 4, 2016 at 6:26 pm

    I know Mel it’s hard to imagine that they are that old. I wonder (really) whether they would be drinkable still?

  15. Beer and Croissants

    March 4, 2016 at 6:26 pm

    Sounds like a plan Cassandra!

  16. Beer and Croissants

    March 4, 2016 at 6:28 pm

    HI Lillian, yes I agree, I wouldn’t necessarily think I needed to visit another one now. I’d just go to taste the champagne. Mumm is one of my faves and I have a poster of Pommery in my travel room. I’ll be sure to check out your post as well. #allaboutfrance 🙂

  17. Esther

    March 4, 2016 at 8:08 pm

    Oh, I’m sure that visiting Moet&Chandon caves are worthy, even being in the mass-tourism path! One member of my family loves champagne ansd brings Moet&Chandon to Christsmas every year and, OH GOD! It’s just heaven! 🙂 So, if I’m never near their caves I will definitely visit them even if it’s not getting lost in the nature or being an independent tourist 😛 Cheers and travel!

  18. Cynthia

    March 5, 2016 at 2:44 am

    This sounds so lovely! The champagne would be a great way to end off the tour after those caves. Great post, Kerri! 🙂

  19. Marc

    March 5, 2016 at 6:34 am

    Great article and he cave looks wonderful and wine look awesome.

  20. Adrienne Lee

    March 5, 2016 at 7:33 am

    Great post, I definitely want to visit these caves. They remind me of the Freixenet cava caves that I visited recently in the Penedes region of Spain

  21. Beer and Croissants

    March 5, 2016 at 4:25 pm

    Ah, very good. I actually just drank a bottle of Freixenet this week. I’d not compared it before to the French variety.

  22. Beer and Croissants

    March 5, 2016 at 4:27 pm

    Thanks Mark and yes to both of those comments.

  23. Beer and Croissants

    March 5, 2016 at 4:29 pm

    Thanks Cynthia, and yes the bubbles at the end was a perfect ending to a great tour.

  24. Beer and Croissants

    March 5, 2016 at 4:31 pm

    Lucky you Esther. French Champagne is so expensive where I live (they put heaps of tax on it) so it’s a bit special for us to have it here. It’s why I make the most of my time in France. Safe travels.

  25. Hung Thai

    March 5, 2016 at 5:40 pm

    I don’t know… I’d be scared to get lost down there. I suppose if that’s the case I could keep myself pretty “happy” with all that champagnes LOL. How much was a bottle of wine though? I’m guessing it would be an arm and a leg?

  26. Laura @ Grassroots Nomad

    March 6, 2016 at 2:16 am

    This looks like my kind of tour! I wonder if those old bottles still would taste amazing? Thanks for sharing, I’ve pinned for future trip planning 🙂

  27. Beer and Croissants

    March 6, 2016 at 4:01 pm

    HI Laura, glad it could provide some possible inspiration for a future trip. Apparently it does age well. I’ll never know because I’m quite sure I wouldn’t pay the price tag for such vintage Champers.

  28. Beer and Croissants

    March 6, 2016 at 4:10 pm

    It’s actually very civilised down there and very well built and maintained. Just like part of a house really. A bottle of Moet can cost €30 but the special ones are hundreds of euros.

  29. Marina - Imaginibus

    March 8, 2016 at 1:00 am

    Lovely post! I visited these caves five years ago, and I loved the visit as well. My favorite part was definitely the tasting 🙂

  30. Beer and Croissants

    March 8, 2016 at 9:15 am

    As a Champagne fan Marina, I definitely agree with you. Thanks for stopping by and taking the time to read and comment.

  31. Jackie Sills-Dellegrazie

    March 8, 2016 at 10:04 am

    Looks like a fun and informative visit! I can’t believe all of those bottles are turned by hand! What is that job title? lol..

  32. Rebecca

    March 8, 2016 at 10:08 am

    Sounds like an incredible tour. What a wonderful thing to do in France. I probably wouldn’t have thought of that.

  33. Lifestobelived

    March 8, 2016 at 12:55 pm

    Looks interesting, hopefully should be sampling some of their product on some upcoming flights.. 🙂

  34. Beer and Croissants

    March 8, 2016 at 3:38 pm

    Sounds like a great plan!

  35. Beer and Croissants

    March 8, 2016 at 3:39 pm

    Haha Rebecca, drinking French Champagne is always high on my list in France and it lead me to the caves 🙂

  36. Beer and Croissants

    March 8, 2016 at 3:40 pm

    Haha – Chief Bottle Turner ! A lot of them are actually machine turned now but the special ones are manually done.

  37. Phoebe @ Lou Messugo

    March 9, 2016 at 3:03 am

    My kind of fun, surrounded by millions of bottles of champagne! Love the chandelier made out of M&C flutes too. Thanks for linking up to #AllAboutFrance

  38. Brittany @ The Sweet Wanderlust

    March 9, 2016 at 8:36 am

    That looks amazing! I’d love to do this if I ever make it to Epernay! ps. I could listen to French all day too!

  39. Beer and Croissants

    March 9, 2016 at 10:02 am

    The chandelier is incredible. In Bruges, the Duvelorium has an equally impressive chandelier made from Duvel beer bottles. This one is a little more stylish 🙂

  40. Beer and Croissants

    March 9, 2016 at 10:04 am

    Such a beautiful language and their accents make it even better !

  41. Beer and Croissants

    March 10, 2016 at 11:40 am

    Pretty awesome hey Scott !

  42. Roy Stevenson

    March 11, 2016 at 12:14 am

    Did this tour a few years ago, and you captured in very nicely. Well written. Good photos too! There’s nothing wrong with doing tourist things if they are enjoyable. There’s a reason why so many tourists visit these places–because they are fun places to visit. Nice story.

  43. Beer and Croissants

    March 11, 2016 at 8:08 am

    Thanks Roy. Really appreciate you taking the time to comment on this. I agree and think that travel is always about what we choose to do, wherever and whatever it is. It’s all about the experience isn’t it. Sometimes we will win and sometimes, we’ll find something else to do next time 🙂

  44. Stephanie Langlet

    May 11, 2016 at 12:51 am

    It’s a shame for me… I have studied for 4 years in Reims. There was even a Champagne cave close to one of the places I have lived in. But I have visited none!

  45. Beer and Croissants

    May 11, 2016 at 8:50 am

    Such a shame Stephanie….there’s always next time.

  46. Yasmin - We are Nodes Travel Blog

    November 16, 2017 at 5:56 am

    My sister and I were there in 2016 and it was a wonderful experience!

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