Jogging with Armin in the Wine yards (optional activity, meeting point Hotel lobby) We will drive to Ay, after you enjoyed having breakfast.

Visit of the Champagne Philipponnat Cellars – The Philipponnat family settled in the village of Ay, in the heart of Champagne. As far back as the Philipponnat archives go, there are records of the family ancestors, the first of whom, Apvril le Philipponnat, was an “owner of vines at Le Léon, between Ay and Dizy”, from 1522. Today, the House of Philipponnat Champagne has a long history of commitment to the creation of quality champagne. From its flagship Brut Royale Réserve to the connoisseur’s choice, Clos des Goisses, Philipponnat Champagnes are immediately recognisable – full-bodied, structured yet still fresh and distinctive. They are enjoyed in more than 50 countries and are the choice of the best wine merchants, Michelin-starred restaurants, sommeliers, chefs and private clubs around the world. Enjoy this private tasting.

Visit of the Guy Charbaut Cellars – Wine growers from father to son for three generations, the members of the Guy Charbaut family have preserved the family character of their Champagne House in order to perpetuate the prestige of their name and the quality of their production. In 1936, their grand-father, André, cultivated his first vines in Mareuil-sur-Aÿ, the greater part of which is located on privileged hillsides classified between 90 and 100% on the Échelle des crus, the result of the production of quality champagnes with excellent presentation.

Visit of the Nicolas Feuillatte Cellars
Transfer to the Champagne Nicolas Feuillatte Cellars in a private bus. Normally, it’s not fashionable to talk about co-operatives, but Nicolas Feuillatte is the brand-name of the co-operative Centre Vinicole Champagne Nicolas Feuillatte, which is Champagne’s largest co-op, with more than 5000 growers delivering grapes to it. Representing more than 300 villages, they cultivate vines covering 2250 hectares, or 7 per cent of Champagne’s total area. It is fact that Nicolas Feuillatte Champagne is No.1 in France. And it’s the third-largest globally, after Moet & Chandon and Veuve Clicquot.From the Marne Valley to the Côte des Bar via the Saint-Thierry Massif, Montagne de Reims, Côte de Sézanne and the Ardre Valley, le cooperative status of the Centre Vinicole Champagne Nicolas Feuillatte can rely on the professionalism and exacting standards of these more than 5000 grape growers from 82 cooperatives in Champagne region. Marie Oudin-Vorstermans, export manager for Champagne Nicolas Feuillatte explains: “We have no old buildings and there is not the same romantic atmosphere as in the traditional champagne houses, but at Nicolas Feuillatte you feel the passion and joy of those working there.” And, she adds: “We never had the goal to be No.1, but we wanted to be the friendly champagne, accessible in the larger sense of the word.” After visiting the wine cellar, we will have a short break in our Hotel.

Dinner at the Michelin 1* Restaurant of Hostellerie La Briqueterie
The short relaxing break will be followed by a lovely Dinner. We will discover a gourmet menu and the exceptional recipes of the Relais & Châteaux Chef Thomas Debouzy. Enjoy a unique gastronomic experience with refined dishes and delicious cuisine in a renowned gourmet restaurant. “My cuisine is a balance between tradition and modernity, which are two very different yet complementary values. The quality of the produce crafted with respect is essential, and world spices also occupy prominent place.” Thomas Debouzy

Transfer back to the Hotel

We will check-out from the Hotel, after you enjoyed having breakfast. Fill up your energy tank with the Hotel Breakfast.

Visit the Champagne House Mercier – Eugène Mercier founded the champagne house Mercier in 1858. He was an impressive personality and had a lot of ideas. In 1871 Eugène Mercier began an innovative project of digging his Champagne cellars: “Count in kilometers and not in meters” he told the architects. A few years later, visitors armed with curiosity were inspired by the discovery of no less than 18 kilometers of impressive underground tunnels! In this legendary subterranean labyrinth, the forces of nature have come together to create a uniquely ideal setting for the metamorphosis into the House’s luxurious sparkling wine. Selected grapes undergo their transformation into champagne in conditions where temperature and humidity levels are constant and unchanging.
For the Paris World Exhibition in May 1889, he had a huge carved barrel, drawn by 24 oxen and 18 horses from Epernay to Paris. The gigantic construction weighed about 20 tons. In 1891, French President Sadi Carnot visited his huge champagne cellar.Mercier was sold to Moet & Chandon in 1970 and then became part of the LVMH group in 1987. Come along yourself to discover the Maison Mercier onboard the little train and travel through part of the cellars!

Visit of the City Reims – Cathédrale Notre-Dame No matter what you have read, nothing can prepare you for that first skyward glimpse of Reims’ gargantuan Gothic Notre-Dame cathedral. Rising golden and imperious above the city, the cathedral is where, over the course of a millennium (816 to 1825), some 34 sovereigns – among them two dozen kings – began their reigns. Meticulously restored after WWI and again following WWII, Reims is endowed with handsome pedestrian boulevards, Roman remains, art-deco cafes and a flourishing fine-dining scene. Along with Épernay, it is the most important centre of Champagne region.

Transfer to airport in a private bus