The Champenoise Method
Champagne vineyards by bike
Highlights
Epernay and the Avenue de Champagne
The vineyard of Champagne: its independent wine-growers and its great Maisons de Champagne
The Reims Mountain and its picturesque villages
Hillside
A weekend in the heart of typical champagne villages.
Discover Champagne by bike
From Epernay, the capital of Champagne, you will go through the slopes that have made the reputation of the Champagne region. By bike, you will discover the historical and natural riches of the Reims Mountain, a geographical region made up of Grands Crus wine villages as well as the forest of the Regional Natural Park.
Take heights in a balloon ride with our partner or sink into the heart of chalky Champagne soil to visit the wineries. A discovery weekend that will allow you to appreciate all the riches that this beautiful region has to offer.
EPERNAY, BOUCLE DES BLANCS DES BLANCS 37km 577m
You ride on the famous white coast and its “White Whites”. It owes its name to its grape, Chardonnay, and offers charming roads around the small mountain of Avize. You will end your day by contemplating the impressive Maisons de Champagne of the avenue of the same name. Here you are in Cuis facing the Montagne d’Avize and its “White Whites”, which takes its name from the color of its grape variety: the Chardonnay. A winery visit can be the occasion for a pleasant tasting break before your return to Epernay.
FROM EPERNAY, LOUVOIS LOOP 28km 216m
The day begins with the welcoming town of Avenay-Val-d’Or. This dynamic town of a thousand inhabitants has many buildings with remarkable architecture, and without doubt the most beautiful church in the region. Walk down to the canal where you will be guided by the flow of the water. The canal on your right, the Marne winding its way through the valley on your left. How about a hot-air balloon ride to end this walk in the land of Dom Pérignon?
- For a few more km 42km 272m
Join the commune of Louvois and its castle
Essential Range
You want to enjoy your itinerary without anything fancy. Our ”essential” range offers a simple accommodation for a good night’s rest in a simple hotel, guesthouse, rest house or hostel.
Starting from 320€/participant in Self Guided option | See detailed prices
Comfort Range
Our quality standard at Abicyclette. This type of accommodation includes 2 and 3 stars hotels. Depending on the itinerary, you might spend some nights in approved guesthouses. You enjoy a double bedroom with private bathroom and toilet and adapted welcome for you and your bikes.
Starting from 365€/participant in Self Guided option | See detailed prices
Privilege Range
Opt for total comfort in charming 3 and 4 star hotels which offer all the services you need and a special welcome for you and your bikes.
Starting from 370€/participant in Self Guided option | See detailed prices
Price includes
- Accommodation: 2 nights in a Double room
- 2 breakfasts
- Phone assistance 24/7
- Access to our exclusive travel application to follow your route, inform you about places of interest, restaurants, facilitate your assistance in case of emergency, find all your travel documents and our practical advice.
- Application fee
- Taxes
- The itinerary trackable on the following supports:
- Loan of a Bicycle GPS uploaded with full itinerary of the trip
- Topo maps
- Cycling practical guide including restaurant recommendations for lunch & dinner
- Day 1 : Welcome by telephone with our team on the day of your arrival.
Price does not include
- bike rental (see option)
- Breakfast on day 1
- Lunches
- Dinners not included in "Price includes"
- Drinks, visits & other personal expenses
Homemade and fully tested itineraries
- Routes selected for their cycling and touristic interest entirely tested and away from traffic
- Accomodations selected for their hospitality, atmosphere, services and quality meals
- A flexible organisation to suit you needs and wishes: You choose the date you want to you leave on! We check the availability of each accomodation to make sure it is possible.
Close assistance
- One of our guides greets you on your first day. He will hand out all the needed documents for the trip (hotel vouchers, maps of the area,GPS, practical guide), get you settled on your bikes (for rental bikes).
- Phone assistance, you can reach the Abicyclette team whenever you need
- A Luggage transfer service which respects your hours of rest (we pick them up after 10:00 and deliver them before 16:00)
Follow your itinerary anyway you like – modern, practical, traditional
- We loan you a GPS so that you can easily follow your itinerary without having to look for your way around (bike support included)
- Access to our exclusive travel application to follow your route, inform you about places of interest, restaurants, facilitate your assistance in case of emergency, find all your travel documents and our practical advice.
- A practical cycling guide with all the useful information (addresses, highlights for the day, topo maps, and touristic information)
You can also
- Rent a high end quality bike for real comfort, cycling pleasure and reliability a long trip requires.
- Suscribe to a Cancelation or Multi Risk insurance policy which cover you in case something unexpected comes up.
On our guided tours (for groups on demand), we accompany you every step of the way
- One of our state qualified instructor and professional cycling guide accompanies you every step of the way
- Full board (all meals covered unless asked otherwise)
- A picnic buffet set up for lunch with a wide choice of fresh and local produce
We offer a high-end bike rental service. Our bikes are suited for road and gravel road long-distance cycling. Fully equipped and highly reliable, they are faithful travel companions.
Our rentals include a "breakage and theft guarantee" for peace of mind when travelling. Information and details from your advisor.
Touring BikeSupplied equipment per bike
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Ebike
Supplied equipment per bike
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Getting here
Departure city : EPERNAY
Coming by car
- at 1h45 from PARIS
- at 7h from BORDEAUX
- at 4h30 from LYON
Coming by train
- Epernay train station - 4h45 from Paris
- Châllons-en-Champagne train station - 1h30 from Paris
Coming by plane
- Reims-Champagne airport
Arrival city : EPERNAY
Coming by car
- at 1h45 from PARIS
- at 7h from BORDEAUX
- at 4h30 from LYON
Coming by train
- Epernay train station - 4h45 from Paris
- Châllons-en-Champagne train station - 1h30 from Paris
Coming by plane
- Reims-Champagne airport
*Parking: Since many of our clients travel by train or plane, we do not include parking in our packages. In addition, many accommodations don’t have the capacity to park a vehicle for the duration of your cycling vacation. So if you’re planning to arrive by car, we suggest you check parking options when you make your reservation. If you reserve a parking space at the first or last accommodation of your stay, you must pay the accommodation provider on site.
* Abicyclette Voyages accompanies you on demand, including transportation solutions.
Recommended equipment
Bike
- Hybrid Bike or Touring Bike or Gravel Bike
- 18 to 30-speed transmission
- 26- to 29-inch wheels
- Tires: 35 to 42 section, reinforced against punctures
- Disc brakes recommended
- 2 bottle cages
- Bell
- Front and rear lighting
Clothing and equipment
- Helmet (supplied with bike rental unless otherwise specified locally)
- 1 bike mount for smartphone to use the mobile route planner application
- Suitable cycling clothing:
- bib, shorts or tights: elastic and breathable, to facilitate movement and wick away perspiration
- Breathable T-shirts, synthetic or merino wool
- Breathable windbreaker
- Thermal or fleece jacket
- Waterproof jacket
- 1 pair of sunglasses
- 1 pair of cycling shoes
- 1 backpack or 1 or 2 carrier bags
- 1 or 2 water bottles (supplied with bike rental in France)
- 1 lock (supplied with bike rental)
- Technical details, recommended by the team for optimum comfort:
- 1 pair of gloves or mittens, depending on season and destination
- Padded bib (chamois)
- High-visibility vest or fluorescent belt
- Neck warmer and cap
Bike maintenance
- Emergency repair kit: 2 or 3 inner tubes, patches, pump, tire levers, multi-tools
- Maintenance kit: rag, oil, brake pads
Other
- A suitcase for your belongings carried in the vehicle (limited to one per person)
- Street clothes
- 1 pair of evening shoes
- Fleece jacket for the evening
- Toiletry bag
- Telephone and charger
Terms of payment and cancellation
The full terms and conditions of sale are available here: https://www.abicyclette-voyages.com/conditions-generales-de-vente/
Booking and payment
- Departure more than 30 days before your booking: payment of a deposit of 30%, excluding insurance, at the time of booking. If you have taken out travel insurance, it must be paid in full at the time of booking to guarantee its validity.
- Departure within 30 days of your booking: payment of the total cost of your stay. Or payment of the balance of the holiday if you have already paid a deposit.
Cancellation of the Contract
You may cancel the Contract at any time before the start of the Tour, subject to payment of a cancellation fee. Any total or partial cancellation will incur the following costs per participant:
Cancellation period | Fees |
From the date of Booking to 60 days or more before departure or the 1st day of the programme | 5% of the total cost of the Tour (including options); a minimum of 100 euros including VAT will be charged to the Customer |
Between 59 and 30 days before departure or on the 1st day of the programme | 10% of the total cost of the Tour (including options); a minimum of 120 euros including VAT will be charged to the Customer
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Between 29 and 10 days before departure or on the 1st day of the programme | 30% of the total amount of the Tour (including options) a minimum of 150 euros including VAT will be charged to the Customer |
Entre 9 à 7 jours avant le départ ou le 1er jour du programme | 45% du montant total du Voyage (options incluses) |
Between 9 and 7 days before departure or on the 1st day of the programme | 75% of the total cost of the trip (including options) |
Less than 3 days to the day of departure or the 1st day of the programme | 100% of the total cost of the trip (including options) |
No show on day of departure or 1st day of programme |
FROM EPERNAY, HAUTVILLERS LOOP 23km 375m
On this route you cross the Marne and climb placidly to the charming villages of Champillon and Hautvillers. They are located 200 meters above sea level between vineyards and forests, and offer great views of the Val de Marne and Epernay. Hautvillers, commune founded in 658 around the Saint-Pierre abbey, perfectly preserves its ancestral architecture. Then you return to Epernay and enjoy a stroll on the impressive Avenue de Champagne.
Orientation by phone with us
On receipt of your travel documents (and bikes if you’ve opted for rental), we take the time to talk to you over the phone to explain all the important points and answer any questions you may have.
You will continue your route through the forest of Hautvillers. You will join the communes of Romery and Damery then the Marne that you will ride along before reaching Epernay.