Chamery: Vineyards, Champagne and History

Chamery brings together winegrowing, walking trails and local history. The vineyards and Champagne tours offer practical ways to explore the area, as do a walk that connects with historic views of the village and the Church of Saint Peter and Saint Paul. You can combine your travel interests with a look at the different sides of the village.

Vineyards and trails in Chamery

Chamery has around 200 hectares of vineyards. The vineyard is made up of 25 percent Chardonnay, 47 percent Pinot Meunier and 28 percent Pinot Noir. Walking trails cross the terroir; one route with a set starting point and stated duration is the “Si Chamery m’était conté” trail. It starts at Place du Jard, covers 2.1 kilometres and takes about 45 minutes. Information along the way helps visitors identify places shown in historic views of the village.

A hike in Chamery organised by the Parc, by contrast, covers 11 kilometres and follows part of the GRP de l’Ardre (GR 142). This is quite different in scale from the 45-minute walk. As it is a specific hike in the Parc programme, check the current programme and trail conditions in advance. The two distances therefore offer different points of reference for planning, and should not be understood as connected routes.

Garden and village history

The Jardin des sens is located below Place du Jard. There you will find irises, roses and tulips, as well as a pergola shaped like a nun’s headdress. The garden was created in 2019 as a meeting place for families and visitors, and also has a children’s play area. Its features range from flower beds to a distinctive pergola.

The Church of Saint Peter and Saint Paul is a Romanesque building dating from the 12th century, with alterations made from the 16th to the 18th century. Three 15th-century Gothic altars made of carved stone have been preserved in the church. It has been listed as a Monument historique since 1919. Its construction, later alterations and altars tell the story of several centuries of local history.

Champagne tours and tastings

The Champagne houses’ offerings each have a different focus. At Champagne Bonnet-Ponson, the tour includes the vineyard, press, cellar, vines and winemaking, followed by a tasting. Booking is required. The underground cellars also display a collection of old tools. Champagne Feneuil Pointillart invites visitors to tour its cellars and taste its Champagne in a typically Champagne-style reception room.

Champagne Perseval-Farge offers tours of its cellar, fermentation and ageing facilities, press and vineyards. The tour at Champagne Perseval-Farge, which requires a reservation, ends with a tasting of at least two cuvées. Reservation requirements may change, so confirm them in advance if you plan to visit. This makes it possible to distinguish between an introduction to cellars and winemaking, a visit with a focus on the vineyards, and a tasting, without treating the offerings as identical.

The Petit train des Vignobles de Champagne also runs through Chamery’s vineyards in the Montagne de Reims. Trips are offered seasonally; check the current offering in advance. Advance booking is required for Petit train tours. They are offered in French and English and depart with a minimum of 15 people. After the ride on the Petit Train, Champagne Lallement offers a guided tour with the winemaker, followed by a tasting of Champagne Brut Premier Cru.

An annual winegrowers’ festival

The Saint Vincent winegrowers’ festival is a recurring tradition in Chamery. It takes place on the Saturday after 22 January and brings together up to 700 people. If the date matters for your trip, check the festival dates before planning.

Discover more destinations: Suippes, Vandières, Nuisement-sur-Coole, Montmirail, Boursault, Marson, Écollemont, Cormontreuil.

For the broader travel guide: Marne.