The best place to buy champagne when visiting Champagne is of course at the wine growers’, and then preferably at one of the small independent producers who make grower’s champagne. They are typically more interesting, more individual and better value for money that the famous brands that come from the big and world-famous champagne houses.
But if you want to buy champagne in Reims, the capital of Champagne, or in Epernay, the second biggest city, with the magnificent Avenue de Champagne, here’s our guide to the best wine shops:
The best wine shops in Reims
La Cave Colbert
18 rue Colbert, Reims, phone 03 26 36 21 16, www.cave-colbert.com
Possibly the best champagne shop in the city. Run by a champagne enthusiast. Lots of growers’ champagne as well as house champagne. Near the Place du Forum.
Le Vintage
3 cours Anatole France, Reims, ph 03 26 40 40 00
A small and very crowded shop just behind the Cathedral.
Cave des Sacres
7 Place du Cardinal Luçon, Reims, ph 03 26 47 35 89, www.cavedessacres.com
One of two shops in front of the Cathedral. Wide selection of all types of champagnes.
La Vinocave
43 Place Drouet d’Erlon, Reims, ph 03 26 40 60 07
On the big pedestrian avenue between the train station and the Cathedral (that used to be a good place to go for a bite in the evening but today is quite awful, unless you enjoy beer-drinking crowds). Small shop with an OK selection of champagne and some good wines without bubbles.
Au Bon Manger
7 Rue Courmeaux, Reims, ph 03 26 03 45 29, epicerie.blog.lemonde.fr
It’s really a delicatessen shop with some very nice food, but also carries a small and very interesting selection of champagnes. All organic or similar. Open until late-ish (20.00) or even later if they have dinner guest (they serve lunch and sometimes dinner; very nice). Near the Place du Forum.
La Cave du Forum
10 Rue Courmeaux, Reims, tel 03 26 79 15 15, lescavesduforum.com
One more that I have not had the opportunity to visit but that someone has recommended to me. Near the Place du Forum of course.
Trésors de Champagne
2 Rue Olivier Métra, Reims, ph 03 26 48 28 42, www.boutique-tresors-champagne.com
A new shop run by the champagne producers’ organisation called Trésors de Champagne. It consists of 30 independent producers making some excellent champagnes. They only sell the champagne of the members, well worth discovering. Also have by-the-glass tastings and do private tastings for groups. Next to the Boulingrin market in an area where you also find many good restaurants.
Wine shops in Epernay
Cave Salvatori
11 rue Flodoard, ph 03 26 55 32 32
A legend, opened in 1952 and still there last time I checked. Near the big round-about.
C Comme Champagne
8 Rue Gambetta, Épernay, ph 03 26 32 09 55
Shop as well as wine bar, so open late. Near the train station.
Grands Vins de France
6 rue Flodoard, ph 03 26 54 23 11
New-ish and big. Same street as Cave Salvatori.
520 Champagnes
1 avenue Paul Chandon, Epernay, ph 03 26 54 36 36
On the edge of the city centre (walking distance), well stocked.
Opening hours
Shops are typically open from 10.00 to 19.00 (sometimes 19.30). Some close for lunch. They are typically open six days a week, Monday to Saturday. Some may close on Mondays.
You can read more on these shops in the article we have published on Forbes: The Best Wine Shops in Reims in Champagne (and Epernay Bonus).
Read more on travelling in Champagne in our travel outline and program for the wine tour to Champagne.
