Sipping champagne is only one of the leisurely pursuits available to you in this beautiful little known corner of France. Your visit in 2009 will take you to places and experiences you would not imagine. We can organise anything from harvesting the grapes and tasting the new wines, to candle-lit cellars and sampling local delicacies; there is something different going on every month. Check out these dates for your next visit and call us on 01625 865 848 or email us at jiles@madaboutbubbly.com to book your place.
2009
September Dates to be announced - usually the second half of the month
The harvest is the main event of the calendar in Champagne. You could be taking part, picking the grapes by hand, taking them to the press and tasting the new juice straight from the press, followed by lunch with the grape pickers and the families who devote their lives to their passion.
There are a number of smaller growers who offer this unique experience and we'd be happy to make contact with them on your behalf to arrange your visit. Just contact us and we'll fix things up for you. Be prepared by taking a waterproof and some sturdy boots.
October 10th - 18th October - La semaine du Goût (Tasting Week)
Any excuse will do for the French to enjoy food and wine and La Semaine du Goût is a great excuse. Many small champagne growers open their doors to offer you a taste of their champagne matched with the ideal food accompaniment. Some also organise champagne dinners in their cellars as well as candle-lit visits to their cellars where, tasting glass in hand, you can sample the bubbly and learning the secrets of champagne.
November 6th - 9th November- Salon de vins des Vignerons Indépendents- Reims Wine Festival
This is a real highlight in our calendar, and we know that you'll love it too. Small independent wine makers from all around France gather in Reims for this 3 1/2 day extravaganza, where you'll be sampling and buying a mouthwatering array of foods and wines and chatting with the producers. It's a riot of colour, activity and atmosphere. We've been four times and always look forward to the next time. It's expensive mind you - all of 5 euros to get in - but the price includes your own tasting glass to take away with you.
If you love wine, champagne and food, don't miss this fabulous event!
December Throughout December - Christmas market in Reims
100+ chalets are set up in the main pedestrian area: Place Erlon. Here you can buy a thousand and one things with and without a Christmas theme, and when you've had enough, the bars and restaurants are just a few paces away.
11th, 12th 13th December - Les Habits de Lumière et de Saveurs in Epernay
Friday 11th from 18.30 hr - Habits de Lumière
The famous Avenue de Champagne, home to some of the world's most celebrated champagne brands, is closed off to traffic to allow spectators to stoll from top to bottom of the avenue whilst enjoying a parade, music, fireworks and champagne bars. All the champagne houses are lit up and the atmosphere is magical. Round off your evening with a meal in one of the many restaurants nearby and you'll really be in the Christmas spirit.
Saturday 12th a.m.
Habits de Saveurs - Saint Thibault covered market-place
A group of the region's Michelin-starred chefs demonstrate how to create special menus with champagne. Each chef is teamed up with a particular champagne house so you can learn, at first hand, some of their best-kept secrets.
Sunday 13th a.m.
Vintage car rally
400 or more vintage cars assemble for one of Northern France's biggest rallies. A must for lovers of old cars and for those who are not such avid enthusiasts, there's always another flûte of champagne nearby.
Contact us for more details about any of these activities and to check availability and prices for your stay at Les Molyneux.
01625 865 848 or from outside the UK + 44 (0)1625 865 848
or e-mail
2010 - more details will be posted shortly
January Fête de Saint Vincent - the patron saint of grape growers. A wonderful street procession in traditional costume with lots of tasting and sampling. A great way to start the year!
February This is the time when champagne makers are tasting the still wines from last Autumn's harvest and making the all-important decisions about how to blend them together to make the best possible champagne. It's cold outside in the vineyards, but there's a warm welcomeat the champagne makers and some fascinating insights to be had into the art of champagne making.
March Spring is in the air during March and activity begins in the vineyards, preparing for the new fruit. March brings blue skies and cold crisp mornings - great weather for exploring the cathedral city of Reims with it's World Heritage sites of the Palais du Tau and the Notre Dame Cathedral, once used for the ceremonial crowning of the Kings of France.
May The vines traditionally burst into leaf during the first week of May transforming the winter landscape into a carpet of bright green shoots. The outdoor season begins with the warm weather, bringing lots of street markets and fairs to visit. Champagne on the terrace perhaps?
June La Fete de la Musique is magical with open air concerts, parties in the parks and music everywhere, celebrations and fun in the warm summer weather.
July & August With the children on school holidays and the traditional holiday period underway, this is a relatively quiet time in Champagne, where you will experience peace and tranquility, long sunny days and warm evenings. Perfect for relaxing, or maybe visiting the inland lakes with beaches and fun.
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