7 great ideas for celebrating springtime in Champagne.

It’s not the first thing that crosses your mind, but it’s true: there’s a beach in Champagne. It’s at Lake Der, Europe’s biggest man-made lake – a modest 48km² – and it’s the perfect way to welcome back the sun! You can go around the lake by bike, observe the awakening of nature, board an electric boat or a tourist train to learn about the history of the lake.

Explore the Lac de Der, in Champagne

The perfect spot? Hautvillers, the birthplace of champagne. Pay your respects at Dom Pérignon’s grave. Then with your picnic basket in one hand and your loved one in the other, head through the lush vines and have lunch on the grass.

Ususally, its the champagne that goes to your head. Not this time. The Perching Bar has hung its champagne buckets and seats 6m up, slap bang in the middle of Verzy forest. You’ll have to work for your drink!

Try the perching bar

Glamping is just like camping, but with a dash of glamour and comfort. In Bar-sur-Aube, glamping means strolling through the forests, nights by the fire, and midnight dips in the lake, but you ditch the tent and sleeping bag for a cosy real bed in a retro wooden caravan.

Thankfully, fox-hunting has gone out of fashion. But there’s nothing stopping you from enjoying a horse ride through the forest of the Der estate. Seasoned riders: choose your mount. Prefer to ride in lordly style? Your carriage awaits!

After the First World War, Reims needed to be rebuilt. And it chose to do so in the Art Déco style. Take advantage of the first days of fine weather to explore the city along the “Art Déco” trail. Just follow the orange signs designed by Philippe Starck.

The coulée verte (green strip) is an 18km path along the Vesle. On foot, by bike, or on skates, the towpath will take you to the Grenouilles, Roseraie, and Cerisaie parks. In the allée des Tilleuls, an educational trail awaits the youngest visitors.