Trip Overview
Your journey begins in central Paris near the Opéra, where you’re introduced to France’s art de vivre with a growers‑champagne tasting in the private cellar at Les Dilettantes and a convivial opening dinner in the library above the famous Ruhlmann staircase. You then travel to Reims, your base for four nights overlooking the magnificent Gothic cathedral, for an in‑depth exploration of Champagne’s great houses and hidden gems. Highlights include a guided cathedral visit and two‑Michelin‑starred lunch at Les Crayères; insider cellar tours and tastings at Veuve Clicquot, Alfred Gratien, Bollinger, Pommery, and Taittinger; and a barrel‑aging masterclass in Epernay. You’ll also discover the scenic, lesser‑known Aube region, meeting biodynamic grower Olivier Horiot, enjoying a farm‑to‑table lunch at Green‑starred Le Garde Champêtre, and wandering the medieval streets of Troyes. Throughout, gourmet meals, curated champagne pairings, and time at leisure in Reims combine to offer a rich, nuanced portrait of the Champagne region’s history, culture, and wines.
Schedule by Day
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Pricing
Double Occupancy | Single Occupancy |
|---|---|
$8,595 per person | $9,645 |
To reserve a space on this program, a $2,000 deposit is required per person. Final payment is due 120 days before departure (May 30, 2027) payable by major credit card. Participants will receive an invoice directly from Harvard Alumni Travels for all subsequent payments after the initial deposit.
Notification of cancellation must be received in writing by HAA from the participant. Cancellations received within 14 days of booking are eligible for a full refund, provided that initial deposits were made 121 days or more prior to departure. After 14 days, $1,000 per person becomes non-refundable.
The program terms and conditions can be found here and must be acknowledged upon registration.
Accommodations
- Hotel Edouard 7, Paris (one night)
- La Caserne Chanzy, Reims (four nights)
What to Expect
The group would typically walk 2-3 miles a day at moderate pace over a series of excursions with some uneven terrain in vineyards and cellars and some slopes and steps and cobbled streets. Each day involves some time on the bus and two days have more extended journeys of 2-3 hours at a time, although typically the group would have a rest break every 2 hours. Most days have an hour or two on the bus, broken up across several short journeys
