Champagne

With its bucolic, hilly landscapes, the Champagne Trail in the Côte des Bar is your gateway to the pleasant lifestyle of the Aube. Deep in rural France, discover the southern part of the Champagne region by interspersing your trip with visits to the picturesque villages. Les Riceys is your first stop. With nearly 900 hectares of vineyards, a visit to this municipality bordering Champagne and Burgundy will be full of character and heritage. In particular, you’ll discover three listed churches and three AOC-listed wines: Champagne, Coteaux Champenois and Rosé des Riceys.

Head a bit further north to reach the lovely village of Bar-sur-Seine. The Renaissance heritage of this small town will astound you, from the Rue de la République to the piazza of the imposing Saint-Etienne Church. Continue your travel back in time by heading to the hamlet of Avalleur, home to a former preceptory of the Templar Knights.

Another major stop is Bar-sur-Aube. On your way, you’ll find a mixture of landscapes, from woods to vineyards. Once in the town itself, go up the slopes of the Sainte-Germaine mountain and admire the natural views of the surrounding countryside, where you can spot the 27 villages of the countryside around Bar-sur-Aube. Finish your trip with a romantic stop in the small village of Essoyes, an endless source of inspiration for the painter Renoir.