A Design Lover’s Guide to Champagne-Ardenne

TravelA Design Lover’s Guide to Champagne-ArdenneWhere to stay—and taste—the best of the well-designed French region

By Madeleine Luckel

December 20, 2021

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A sweeping fall vineyard view looking towards Épernay and more directly at the town of Champillon.Photo: Courtesy of Royal Champagne Hotel & Spa

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Champagne might just be France’s most underrated wine region—and not only because of its world-renowned sparkling beverage. Located just one 30-minute RailEurope train stop away from Charles de Gaulle airport (and another 15 minutes from Paris’s Gare de l’Est), Champagne-Ardenne—as it is properly known—is an easy jaunt trip from the capital city. And yet, the area is not nearly as frequented by French and international visitors as one might expect. Whether that’s due to the nation’s many other famous wine regions or the bubbly drink’s reputation as a treat reserved for special occasions, it may be about to change. For starters, the region now has its first-ever five-star, modern luxury hotel. And then of course, beyond the hospitality and beverage options that abound, the French region also boasts hidden design gems.

The exterior, and extensive outdoor area, of the Royal Champagne Hotel & Spa.

Photo: Courtesy of Royal Champagne Hotel & Spa

Where to Stay

When Napoleon Bonaparte traveled to his 1804 coronation, he (supposedly) stayed the night in a small countryside auberge overlooking Champagne’s sweeping hillside vineyards. Flash forward to today, and the site on which that historic hotel stood is now the location of the new Royal Champagne Hotel & Spa. Though one part of a historic façade can be seen on the resort’s exterior, the bulwark of the design has been thoughtfully re-envisioned by architect Giovanni Pace.

A fig-focused dessert at Le Royal.

Photo: Courtesy of Royal Champagne Hotel & Spa

The hotel is, by and large, an obtuse angle cut into one of the region’s most beautiful hillsides. Its pale stone materials allow it to both blend into its surrounding environment while seemingly hinting at the color palette of the area’s namesake drink. Inside, subdued decor pairs wonderfully with thoughtful details (such as small gold bees, Napoleon’s signature emblem). All of the rooms are oriented to look over the valley, and they feature their own private decks. An outdoor pool, as well as a notably large indoor pool, also share the view into the valley. The hotel features the area’s only full-fledged spa—which includes products from cult-favorite French brand Biologique Recherche—as well as a restaurant, Le Royal, that’s already earned a Michelin star. 

If you’re there for a weekend during a cooler season, be sure to continue your in-house culinary experience by catching the hotel’s afternoon Saturday tea service. Even the most ardent Anglophiles will likely be delighted to find that it consists mainly of exquisite, miniature French cakes and champagne—as opposed to warm water, herb-infused beverages.

A look inside Laurent-Perrier’s underground cellars.

Photo: Courtesy of Laurent-Perrier

Where to Taste

Laurent-Perrier could be called an oxymoron. Famous for its signature champagnes, the house nevertheless cultivates an under-the-radar identity. And despite the fact that the château is not overly geared towards hosting day visits (unlike some of its neighbors), that is essentially part of its charm. If you need another reason to scout out an elusive appointment, consider this: The champagne is a favorite of Prince Charles, and has received a royal warrant. 

Design enthusiasts will also not be disappointed by its impressive manufacturing history. Laurent-Perrier is the first house in the region to switch to the now predominant stainless steel tanks. The freshness it imbues in each bottle of bubbly champagne is now mirrored in its sleek, silvery appearance. 

Those looking for a contrasting champagne tasting experience would do well to pair—pun intended—a Laurent-Perrier visit with a trip to Champagne Henri Giraud. The small house is unique in its reliance on terra-cotta tanks, many of which are beautifully decorated with grape vine shapes. For those in search of an immersive experience, consider a stay at the house’s recently-opened petit manse—which would far outdo any average Airbnb experience.

The Abbaye Saint-Pierre d’Hautvillers, where Dom Pérignon reportedly invented champagne. 

Photo: Francois Nascimbeni / Getty Images

Where to Explore

While Royal Champagne Hotel & Spa is technically located in the small town of Champillon, it’s just a hop, skip, and a quick drive (or bike ride) away from Hautvillers. The idyllic town where champagne cultivation reportedly began, it’s brimming with adorable restaurants and picturesque streets. Of particular note is the abbey in which Dom Pérignon legendarily invented champagne. Back across the national park—which makes for excellent warm weather walks—is Reims, the area’s largest city. Although options for food and shopping abound there as well, the pièce de résistance is another church—the Reims Cathedral. The structure is considered to be one of the finest examples of Gothic architecture, and arguably the best example of a Gothic church façade.

Reims Cathedral stands apart from its Gothic peers thanks to its exemplary exterior. 

Photo: John Lawson / Getty Images