The village of Dom Pérignon, ten minutes from Épernay and half an hour from Reims: its abbey church, its wrought-iron signs, its sweeping views over a sea of vines, and how to visit with a private chauffeur. Notes and tips from Service VTC Reims.
Hautvillers, where Champagne was born
Perched on the slopes north of Épernay, Hautvillers carries a title no other village can claim: the birthplace of Champagne. It was here, in the Benedictine abbey of Saint-Pierre, that a cellarer monk devoted his life to wine and set a legend in motion that is now known the world over.
The village has kept its soul. Cobbled lanes, winegrowers' houses, and more than a hundred and forty wrought-iron signs hanging from the façades. Just below, the vineyards listed as UNESCO World Heritage roll down toward the Marne valley. It is one of the essential stops on any Champagne trip, and one of the most photographed.
This guide gives you what matters: who Dom Pérignon really was, what to see on the spot, the guided tours run by the tourist office, and how to reach the village without the hassle of driving.
Dom Pérignon, the monk who changed everything
Pierre Pérignon (1639-1715) served as cellarer of the Hautvillers abbey for close to forty-seven years. Contrary to a stubborn myth, he did not invent the bubbles. His genius lay in the rigor and the innovations he brought to Champagne winemaking: careful grape selection, gentle pressing, and above all the art of blending different grape varieties and terroirs into a wine that was consistent and balanced year after year.
Those same principles still sit at the heart of Champagne today. That is what makes Hautvillers far more than a pretty village. For anyone drawn to the story of one of the world's most celebrated wines, it is a place of pilgrimage.
What to see in the village
Saint-Sindulphe abbey church
The former abbey church, reshaped over the centuries, holds Dom Pérignon's tombstone in its choir. The abbey estate itself now belongs to the house of Moët & Chandon.
The wrought-iron signs
More than a hundred and forty signs adorn the village façades. Each one depicts a trade, a passion or a family's origins: a walk to enjoy at eye level.
The vineyard viewpoints
Several lookouts open onto a sea of vines, the neighboring villages and the Marne valley. The late-afternoon light here is something to plan for.
A UNESCO World Heritage site
The hillsides, houses and cellars of Champagne were inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List in 2015. Hautvillers is one of its most visited symbols.
Discovering the village with a guide
To go beyond a simple stroll, the Hautvillers Tourist Office runs themed guided tours that set off from the village. The most iconic, “In the Footsteps of Dom Pérignon,” retraces the story of the abbey and the monk's legend in about an hour, from 9 € per person for groups of six or more (€50 (~$55 USD) for a private tour of one to five people), with an optional tasting at a local grower.
The office also runs “Nose in the Air,” an hour and a half around the signs and the abbey church, plus guided walks of Aÿ-Champagne, a “Small Town of Character,” and a gourmet tour in the same town. Hautvillers tours leave from the tourist office at 10 place de la République, in the heart of the village; the Aÿ tours start in Aÿ. We drop you off and pick you up at the agreed time, so you enjoy the visit while we handle the road and the parking.
How to reach Hautvillers
From Épernay
Six kilometers north, about ten minutes by car. Épernay's station is served from Paris-Est, and we take care of the final stretch up to the village and all the driving from cellar to cellar.
From Reims
Around thirty minutes along the hillside roads. A fine way to pair Reims and the Marne valley on a single day, with no driving and no one left out of the tasting.
From Paris
Roughly two hours by road, or a TGV to Champagne-Ardenne (about 45 minutes) or a direct regional train to Épernay (about an hour and 15 minutes), where we meet you. A day trip from the capital is entirely realistic.
Guide produced in partnership with the Hautvillers Tourist Office.
Make Hautvillers part of your day
Hautvillers fits most easily into the Avenue de Champagne day, in place of one of the visits. For the other tours, tell us when you book and we will tell you what fits in the day. Private chauffeur and logistics included; visits and tastings are paid directly to the house.
Avenue de Champagne
A day in Épernay along the “world's most beautiful avenue,” the easiest tour to pair with Hautvillers.
Champagne Discovery Tour
A half-day introduction: one grand house and one grower, perfect for a first visit.
Under-the-Radar Champagne Growers
Grower champagnes off the beaten track, visited with just your own party.
Crayères UNESCO Tour
The Gallo-Roman chalk cellars listed as World Heritage, beneath the Saint-Nicaise hill.
Grape Varieties & Grands Crus
The three grape varieties, Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Meunier, across the Grand Cru villages.
All our tours
An overview of our Champagne tours and the houses we drive you to.
What travelers ask us about Hautvillers
Can you visit Dom Pérignon's abbey?
The grounds of the former abbey belong to the house of Moët & Chandon and are not open to visitors. The Saint-Sindulphe abbey church, however, which holds Dom Pérignon's tombstone, is accessible, and the village itself is best discovered on foot or with a guide.
How long should I set aside?
Allow a good hour for the village and the church, two to three hours if you add a guided tour and a tasting at a local grower. Hautvillers fits neatly into a half-day or a full day combined with Épernay or Reims.
Hautvillers or Épernay, which one?
They complement each other. Épernay offers the Avenue de Champagne and the grand houses, while Hautvillers brings the historic village setting and the panorama. On a day with a private chauffeur, you can do both without compromise.
How long is it from Paris to Hautvillers?
About two hours by road, roughly 140 km on the A4 highway. By train, a TGV reaches Champagne-Ardenne station near Reims in about 45 minutes, and a direct regional train from Paris-Est reaches Épernay in about an hour and 15 minutes; we handle the transfer to the village from there. A day trip from Paris is entirely doable.
How do I get to Hautvillers by train?
There is no station in Hautvillers itself. The two gateways are Champagne-Ardenne TGV station, at Bezannes near Reims (about 30 minutes from the village), and Épernay station (10 to 15 minutes). We meet you as you step off the train and take care of everything from there.
Can I combine Hautvillers with Reims or Épernay in one day?
Yes, and it is the route our guests like best. Épernay and its Avenue de Champagne are about ten minutes away, Reims around half an hour. A day with a private chauffeur lets you string together the village, a grand house and lunch without ever watching the clock or driving.
Is there parking in Hautvillers?
The village has a few parking lots, but the lanes are narrow and spaces fill quickly in high season, from May to October. With our service we drop you off as close to the center as possible, and parking is no longer your problem.
Do you provide transport to Hautvillers?
Yes. We run private transfers and tours from Reims, Épernay, the train stations and Paris, with a dedicated chauffeur for the day. You taste with a clear mind while we look after the road and the parking. See our Champagne tours from Reims for routes and prices.