If you could only choose one season to visit Épernay, autumn would be a magnificent choice. It’s the harvest season, that sacred moment when the entire Champagne region springs into action to pick the grapes. The vines dress in golden, copper and crimson hues, the light becomes low and raking, and the landscapes are breathtakingly beautiful. The atmosphere is authentic, warm, almost intimate.
Events Not to Be Missed
The Champagne Harvest
The harvest in Champagne is a unique moment. It is one of the only French wine regions where picking is compulsorily done by hand. From the walking trails, you can watch the grape-pickers at work on the hillsides. The excitement is palpable throughout the vineyard, the presses are running, the scent of fresh grapes fills the air. The exact date depends on weather conditions and is announced by the CIVC a few days beforehand
European Heritage Days — 19 and 20 September
This national weekend is particularly rich in Épernay. Sites usually closed to the public open their doors: historic cellars, private buildings, behind-the-scenes of the wine heritage. Free guided tours and activities reveal the town from a completely new angle.
Vign’Art Closing — 27 September
Last days to discover the land art installations set in the Champagne vineyards since May. A final chance to explore this open-air museum before it’s dismantled.
Vignoble en Scène — 15 to 18 October
An immersive experience blending tastings, sensory trails, artistic performances and discovery of the Champagne landscapes. An event that bridges culture, terroir and creation.
Champagne Day — 23 October
World Champagne Day is celebrated around the globe, but it obviously takes on a special flavour in Épernay. Special tastings, food-and-champagne pairings, events in cellars and estates, social media celebrations…A day of festivity around the bubbles.
Épernay Champagne Rally — 31 October and 1 November
Deux jours de spectacle automobile à travers les villages et les coteaux du vignoble. Two days of motor sport spectacle through the villages and hillsides of the vineyard. Rally cars race along exceptional panoramic roads. The atmosphere is lively and dynamic — a brilliant finale to the Épernay autumn.
Year-Round Activities to Enjoy in Autumn
Walking Through the Golden Vines
Autumn transforms the vineyard into an impressionist painting. The leaves turn from green to yellow, orange and deep red. The hiking trails around Épernay, Hautvillers, the Côte des Blancs and the Montagne de Reims offer spectacular panoramas. It’s the photographers’ favourite season.
Cellar Visits in Peace and Quiet
After the summer rush, autumn returns to a calmer rhythm. It’s the ideal time for more personalised cellar visits, with time to chat with guides and winemakers. The Houses are less crowded and the experience is all the better for it.
Autumn Gastronomy
Épernay’s restaurant menus take on autumnal flavours: game, mushrooms, squash, mature Chaource cheese… Accompanied by a Blanc de Blancs Champagne, these seasonal dishes reveal the full richness of Champagne gastronomy. The Apéros de la Halle continue every last Friday of the month.
Mont Bernon in Autumn Colours
La montée au Mont Bernon est particulièrement belle en automne. The climb to Mont Bernon is particularly beautiful in autumn. The panorama over the vines in their fiery colours is striking. On clear days, the view extends all the way to the Montagne de Reims.
