A Champagne Summer: The Ultimate Milestone Trip in France’s Sparkling Wine Region
By: Ashley Petropulos
If you're dreaming of a meaningful way to mark a major life milestone, there’s no better way than by gathering your favorite people in the heart of France’s famed Champagne region. Picture this: a grand 17th-century château all to yourself, glasses of chilled bubbly in hand, surrounded by rolling vineyards and charming medieval towns. Whether you’re celebrating a birthday, retirement or simply want to toast to life's big moments, this elegant countryside escape is the kind of trip that creates lifelong memories.
The Setting: A Private Château in Champagne
Located about two hours from Paris, Château des Temps offers a storybook setting for your celebration. Lovingly restored, this luxurious estate retains its historic charm—oak floors, carved marble fireplaces and sweeping staircases—while adding modern touches like a heated outdoor pool, billiard room and chef’s kitchen. It’s ideal for groups who want the luxury of space, privacy and a central home base for exploring the region.
The grounds are equally dreamy: stroll over quaint bridges and peaceful streams, play pétanque in the garden, or sip rosé by the private lake. The château comfortably accommodates a group of 12–20, making it perfect for families, friend groups, or multigenerational milestones.
The Experiences: Sip, Savor, Soar
This is Champagne, so naturally, tastings take center stage—but here, they go beyond the ordinary. Picture a full-day private tour complete with insider access to prestigious houses like Moët & Chandon and boutique family-run domaines. You’ll explore ancient chalk cellars, learn the secrets of méthode champenoise, and toast with vintage cuvées in regal salons. Add in a visit to the village of Hautvillers, where Dom Pérignon revolutionized sparkling wine, and you’re literally walking through history.
To elevate the celebration (quite literally), consider a privatesunrise hot air balloon rideover the vineyards—an awe-inspiring experience that feels pulled from a movie scene. As you float above the golden landscape, you'll toast the occasion with Champagne from the skies.
A Chef’s Touch: In-Château Celebration Dinner
One of the highlights of the week is a private chef-prepared celebratory dinner served right in the château’s elegant dining room. After a day exploring the vines, let the aromas of French cuisine fill the air as your in-house chef prepares a multi-course seasonal menu tailored to your tastes. It's the perfect opportunity to dress up, light the candles and savor the kind of meal that lingers in memory.
Easy Elegance: Arrival & Departure, Handled
Start and end your journey stress-free with VIP Meet & Greet service at Charles de Gaulle Airport, expedited through customs, and whisked away in a private transfer or high-speed train to your countryside retreat. Everything from transportation to tastings is arranged in advance, ensuring the only thing on your agenda is celebration.
The Verdict
This milestone trip is less about checking boxes and more about indulging in meaningful moments—morning swims, late-night conversations under the stars, clinking glasses after a day of discovery. It's for those who value connection, culture, and a bit of sparkle.
As a luxury travel advisor, I design bespoke trips like this for clients year-round. If a special celebration is on your horizon, let’s make it extraordinary—because life’s big moments deserve to be celebrated with style. www.exexpattravel.com
Santé to your next adventure!
