Would you let your child take a sip of champagne? What about a dabber? What if you are in champagne country in Reims, France and you had just finished a tour of a champagne cellar? So, we (parents) “splurge” a bit and visited “Vranken Pommery”–a champagne producer housed in what looks like a castle that offers self-guided tours of its underground cellars, followed by a tasting session.
And, oh, it also doubles up as an art gallery with different exhibitions through its underground caverns. “We can play hide and seek here,” my older boy said in excitement! Well, I would recommend against that.
This is about the only paid tour/museum that we can afford during this family road trip with kids from Spain to Poland. Tickets cost 20 euros (with a glass of champagne, included) and another 10 for a glass of an older champagne for tasting. The good thing is it’s FREE for KIDS!
We save some money during our weeks-long road trip by camping, particularly staying at smaller camping sites and lesser-known villages, such as Camping Municipal Epernay in the capital of champagne.
Because we are trying to avoid big population density to manage the risk of contact with coronavirus, this champagne-castle-cellar was the only place we visited in Reims during our family camping road trip from Spain to Poland this year. And it was worth it!
Even our two young kids found this champagne tour interesting because of the hour-long (at least) exploration of its extensive underground cellars and tunnels. . . in the dark.
Note: In case you’re wondering. . . No, we have not received any form of compensation or freebies or anything at all for reviewing or mentioning this or any others on our blog.
Apparently the Romans dug it (yup) a long time ago in search for a type of stone. Then, in modern times, someone bought and converted it into a wine (or in this case champagne) cellar for export to all the major cities around the world.
Be prepared with your kids or the elderly or those of you, like me (the father of these free electrons kids) whose six-pack abdomen has turned into a belly-full-of-jelly:
You’ll have to go 160 stone stairs, straight down, in low light. It would look like your entering dracula’s lair or some kind of high-end, sadomassatwoshits, goth club. Vranken Pommery. Even the name sounds, well, leather and chains. But it’s all so cool and worth it!
During our visit the gallery had some macabre theme artwork… like a private Berlin Gothic Sadomassa2shits private underground show.
It’s chilly down there so bring a second layer for everyone.
Make sure you know what you are saying “yes” to when buying your ticket. We ended up agreeing to 2 glasses per adult–one of the 2008 wine and another for a younger batch (4 years old). . . In any event, I was happy. The wife was not 😊
Here’s a PSA: Please don’t drink and drive and make sure to have eaten before the champagne. It kicks ass on an empty stomach.
There’s limited FREE parking right in the castle’s premises and to a lot next door.
Happy travels to YOU! Big Smile! 😊 free electrons family 😄
free electrons family 