Self-Drive Luxury Champagne

Luxurious Self-Drive Holidays in France

Self-drive holidays in France

At a glance

Region:Champagne
Type of Tour:
Duration:3/4 Days
Guide Price:From £1740 to £3506 per person
Number of Meals:2 breakfasts + 1 lunch + 1 dinner (3 Days)
3 breakfasts + 2 lunches + 1 dinner (4 Days)
Number of Winery Visits:3 Champagne Houses + 1 tasting session (3 Days)
4 Champagne Houses + 1 tasting session (4 Days)
Number of Wines Tasted:Approximately 19 (3 Days)
Approximately 23 (4 Days)
Tour Transport:1 or 2 Full day guided and transported tours on a private basis
Dates / Availability:Available mid-week and weekends throughout the year

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Trip Summary

In response to the 2020 Covid-19 pandemic and its effects on tourism, we have introduced a flexible range of self-drive breaks, with our clients’ maximum comfort and safety in mind. Our luxury Champagne break offers the most decadent experience in the region, with accommodation at the incredible 5* Royal Champagne & Spa hotel, nestled in the heart of the Champagne countryside away from the busy towns and cities.

On day one of your trip, drive from the UK to the Champagne region, taking the Eurotunnel from Folkestone to Calais. We have included Flexiplus crossings, which mean that you can board any train on your travel day with a dedicated check in lane and fast track security clearance. FlexiPlus customers also have access to a dedicated lounge with complimentary refreshments and newspapers and snacks to take with you on board. Upon arrival at the Royal Champagne hotel, check into your preferred room and spend a relaxing afternoon enjoying the beautiful views from the hotel’s spa or if the weather is pleasant, from the infinity pool. In the evening, we will reserve you a table for dinner in the hotel’s on-site gourmet brasserie. You will be able to order à la carte and payment can be made locally.

Visit Champagne
moet and chandon tour

After breakfast on day two, you will be met at the hotel by an English-speaking specialist driver/guide, who will accompany you throughout the day on a private basis. You will be transported in a spacious Mercedes Viano-style vehicle and your guide will follow the necessary safety procedures whilst regaling you with tales and anecdotes of the history of Champagne and its vineyards, introducing you to the particularities of the region. You will firstly be welcomed as the VIP guests of Champagne Taittinger. Here, you will be taken on a private tour of the estate and cellars followed by tastings of three Taittinger Champagnes including their Prestige Cuvée, Comtes de Champagne Blanc de Blancs.

You will then be taken to the famous hilltop village of Hautvillers, the “cradle of Champagne”. As well as having time to admire the spectacular views across the vineyards and visit the Church where Dom Pérignon is buried, a comparative tasting session of three single varietal Champagnes will take place in a quaint tasting boutique in the village. Platters of cheeses and gourmet local delicacies will also be served. Please rest assured that all restaurant partners will follow strict safety guidelines, respecting social distance and hygiene rules. After lunch, you will be taken out into the vineyards to visit a small, family-run producer of Champagnes for a private tour of the fascinating Champagne making process from press to bottle, followed by at least three tastings of the estate’s Champagnes.

moet and chandon tour -©J.K.
Self-drive holidays in France- credits Carmen Moya

Ending the day in true style, you will then visit the prestigious estate of Veuve Clicquot. Here you will explore some of the estate’s 1600 year old chalk pits before enjoying a tasting of 4 Champagnes from the Veuve Clicquot range. Your guide will take you back to the hotel at the end of the afternoon. In the evening, a six course Champagne tasting dinner will be served in the hotel’s Michelin-starred restaurant. Each course will be perfectly paired with Champagnes from one of the region’s prestigious Maisons.

For those staying a third night, the four day package includes a second, slightly shorter day of tours with your driver/guide. You will firstly be taken to a pretty Champagne-making village, where you will visit a premium, up-and-coming boutique Champagne House. Your private tour will be followed by a delicious three course lunch served in the private dining room, alongside a selection of the estate’s Champagnes.

Champagne tour from Paris
Self-drive holidays in France

In the afternoon, you will be taken on a private river cruise in a beautiful vintage wooden cruiser with a bottle of Champagne served on board. This is a great way to experience the vineyards from a different perspective and see local sights such as The De Castellane tower and the locks and dams in Cumières. After such a substantial lunch, you may not be feeling hungry this evening. We therefore recommend the hotel’s fabulous bar snack menu, which you may wish to enjoy on your balcony or terrace with some more bubbles.

After a leisurely breakfast and check out on your final day, drive back to the UK, taking the Eurotunnel at your convenience. If you would like to extend your trip to France and visit other regions (for more wine or just to relax), we would be delighted to provide inspiration.

Paris Wine tour
France driving holiday

Region Map

Self-drive holidays in France
Champagne tour from Paris

Outline Itinerary

Day One

  • Drive from the UK to the Champagne region, taking the Eurotunnel from Folkestone to Calais. We have included Flexiplus tickets, allowing you to travel on the crossing of your choice on the day.
  • Upon arrival, check into your preferred room at the 5* Royal Champagne Hotel & Spa.
  • Spend the afternoon relaxing at the hotel and enjoying your beautiful surroundings.
  • In the evening, we will reserve you a table for dinner at the hotel’s gourmet brasserie.

Day Two

  • After breakfast, you will be met at the hotel by an English-speaking specialist/driver guide, who will accompany you throughout the day in a spacious Mercedes Viano-style vehicle. Your tour day will comprise of:
  • A private tour and three tastings at Champagne Taittinger.
  • A tasting session with a light lunch in the beautiful hilltop village of Hautvillers.
  • A private tour and tastings at a small, family-run Champagne House.
  • An exclusive Veuve Clicquot tour.
  • In the evening, a six course Champagne tasting dinner will be served in the hotel’s Michelin-starred restaurant.
Self-drive holidays in France
Self-drive holidays in France

Day Three (Optional)

  • After breakfast, your driver/guide will return and accompany you throughout a second day on a private basis. Your tour day will comprise of:
  • A private tour and three course lunch with tastings at a boutique Champagne House.
  • A private river cruise with Champagne served on board.
  • For a lighter dinner this evening, we recommend the hotel’s excellent bar snack menu, which you may wish to enjoy on your balcony or terrace.

Final Day

  • After a leisurely breakfast and check out, make your way back to the UK, taking the Eurotunnel from Calais to Folkestone at your convenience.

 

(ii) The outline itinerary is indicative and is subject to minor changes depending on supplier availability. Availability cannot be guaranteed until we have received a confirmed booking, together with the deposit payment (or payment in full where the dates of travel are in less than 60 days). If the named accommodation / visits are not available, we will endeavour to find suitable alternatives of a similar grade; this may be subject to a supplement or a rebate depending on the price available.

Dom Perignon visit
Self-drive holidays in France

Accommodation

"A fantastic way to visit the Champagne region; where your every need is catered for."

Kingsley- Essex, UK

Package Prices

  • These prices are per person and based on two people travelling together and sharing a twin or double room.
  • These are realistic guide prices, based on travel in standard season (usually April to the end of October). Discounts often apply for travel out of season (usually November to the end of March) or if there are more than two of you travelling together. Please let us know your preferred travel dates for a definitive price.
  • Although we propose specific hotels as part of our standard packages, we enjoy excellent relationships and preferential rates at the majority of the hotels in each of our featured destinations. Therefore if you would prefer to stay in a different hotel, this can be arranged. Please contact us for the relevant supplements/discounts.
  • Other room grades are available at most of the hotels that we work with. Just let us know which hotel you prefer and we will send you the relevant supplements for the various room grades.
  • Single supplements and extra night prices are available upon request.
Hotel NameRoom GradeStar RatingDurationPrice Per Person
Royal Champagne Hotel & SpaChampagne Junior Suite5*3 Days£2439Book Now
Royal Champagne Hotel & SpaChampagne Junior Suite5*4 Days£3506Book Now

Special Offers

Bring friends and spend less!

A £290 per person discount applies for four or more people travelling together (and sharing a vehicle on the Eurotunnel) on the three day break. This discount increases to £520 per person for those booking the four day break.

Luxury spa break in Champagne- Credits ADT Marne
Self-drive holiday in France

Further Information

Travel to our Self-Drive Holidays in France

The price of this package includes Flexiplus Folkestone to Calais Eurotunnel crossings. Please see our travel page for other travel options and further information about travelling to our self-drive holidays in France.

Self-Drive Breaks

For more information on our Self-Drive breaks please see our Self-Drive page.

Further Information / To Book

To secure your booking, a deposit of £100 per person is required (or 20% if the price of your trip exceeds £500 per person). Your remaining balance will then be due 60 days before travel. Please call us on +44 (0) 1920 46 86 66 or email info@grapeescapes.net to request a booking form.

Self-drive holidays in France

"Thank you so much for a wonderful trip. We all enjoyed it immensely. The selection of small and larger, commercial champagne houses and tours was excellent. Just the right split. Everything was perfect."

Annette- Berkshire, UK

Special Occasion?

Celebrating a birthday, wedding anniversary or engagement? Our expert team would be delighted to talk you through the options and create your perfect trip.

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