Beneath the Streets of Reims and Epernay
The chalk cellars beneath Reims and Epernay are the Champagne region’s most distinctive feature — over 250 kilometres of underground tunnels carved from Cretaceous limestone, maintaining a constant temperature of 10–12°C and housing hundreds of millions of bottles of Champagne at various stages of maturation. The cellars are UNESCO World Heritage listed, and visiting them is the single most popular tourist activity in the Champagne region.
The cellars exist because of the chalk. The same geological formation that gives Champagne its mineral character also provides the perfect storage environment — constant cool temperature, consistent humidity, darkness, and the absence of vibration. The Romans quarried the chalk for building material, medieval monks expanded the quarries, and from the 18th century onward, the Champagne houses adopted and extended them into the vast cellar networks that exist today.
What a Cellar Tour Involves
A typical cellar tour lasts 60–90 minutes and follows a guided route through the underground tunnels. The guide explains the Champagne production process stage by stage as you walk past the corresponding equipment and bottle stocks:
The riddling racks (pupitres) — angled wooden frames holding bottles neck-down, where the gradual turning process (remuage) concentrates the sediment for removal. Some houses demonstrate manual riddling; most now use mechanised gyropalettes that achieve the same result in days rather than weeks.
The bottle stocks — walls and corridors of bottles stacked horizontally, maturing on their lees. In the largest houses, the quantities are staggering — Moët & Chandon’s cellars hold approximately 28 kilometres of galleries and tens of millions of bottles. The guide explains the ageing requirements (minimum 15 months for non-vintage, 36 months for vintage) and how extended ageing develops the flavours.
The disgorgement and dosage area — where the sediment is removed and the final sugar level is set. Some tours include a demonstration or viewing of the production line.
The tasting — every cellar tour concludes with a tasting of 2–3 of the house’s Champagnes, typically in a dedicated tasting room. The guide explains each wine and answers questions.
Choosing a Cellar Tour
The major Champagne houses each offer cellar tours with their own character:
Taittinger — cellars occupying 4th-century Gallo-Roman chalk quarries and 13th-century Benedictine abbey crypts. The oldest and most architecturally dramatic cellars in Reims. The atmosphere is genuinely ancient.
Pommery — 18 kilometres of cellars decorated with 19th-century carved chalk reliefs commissioned by Madame Pommery. The cellars function as an art gallery as much as a wine storage facility. The carved reliefs are unique to Pommery.
Veuve Clicquot — among the most famous Champagne brands globally. The cellar tour emphasises the history of Madame Clicquot, who pioneered riddling and ran the house as a young widow in the early 19th century. Consistently high demand — book well in advance.
Ruinart — the oldest Champagne house (founded 1729), with deep, dramatic chalk crayères (quarries) that are among the most visually striking underground spaces in the region.
Moët & Chandon — based in Epernay, the largest Champagne house by volume. The cellars are extensive (28 kilometres) and the tour covers the full production scale. The connection to Dom Pérignon (Moët’s prestige cuvée brand) is part of the narrative.
Practical Tips
Wear warm clothing. The cellars are 10–12°C year-round. In summer, the temperature drop from street level to cellar is dramatic. A jacket or warm layer is essential, not optional.
Wear flat, closed-toe shoes. The cellar floors are uneven stone and chalk, sometimes damp. Heels, sandals, and slippery soles are impractical and potentially unsafe.
Tours are available in multiple languages. English, French, German, Spanish, and sometimes Mandarin or Japanese tours are offered at the major houses. Check which languages are available on which dates when booking.
Photography is generally permitted in the cellars, but flash is typically prohibited (and unnecessary — the atmospheric lighting is part of the experience). Some houses restrict photography in specific areas.
Frequently Asked Questions
How deep are the Champagne cellars?
The cellars range from 10 to 30 metres below street level, depending on the house and the geological formation. Taittinger’s deepest cellars reach approximately 18 metres. The consistent depth ensures the stable temperature (10–12°C) that Champagne maturation requires.
Are cellar tours suitable for people who are claustrophobic?
The major house cellars are spacious — wide corridors, high ceilings, and well-lit. They do not feel like narrow tunnels. However, you are underground for 60–90 minutes, and if enclosed underground spaces cause anxiety, this should be considered. The entrance and exit are typically the same point, and you can leave the tour early if needed.
How long does a cellar tour take?
Most cellar tours at the major houses take 60–90 minutes including the guided walk and the tasting. Allow an additional 15–30 minutes for arrival, check-in, and any post-tasting time in the gift shop or tasting room.
Can I visit cellars without a guided tour?
No. The cellars are private property and only accessible on guided tours organised by the houses themselves or through licensed tour operators. You cannot enter independently.
Which cellar tour is the best in Reims?
Taittinger for the most historically dramatic setting (Roman quarries). Pommery for the unique carved-chalk art installations. Veuve Clicquot for the brand recognition and Madame Clicquot’s history. Ruinart for the oldest house and the deepest crayères. Each offers a distinct experience — there is no single “best,” but any of these four is excellent.