While France is famous for its wine, differing in style and grape throughout the country, there is only one place to go when looking for that bubbly nectar of the gods - Épernay, the capital of the champagne region. Here you can visit the house of Moet & Chandon (and Dom Perignon) or Perrier-Jouet, with tours and tastings inside. From vineyards to cellars, learn about the process of making champagne and the rich history associated with it. What makes a bottle of champagne a vintage? What's the difference between a demi-sec, brut, rose, etc.? How does champagne differ from a Crémant, Prosecco, or a Cava?

Visiting the various champagne houses will prove both fascinating and tasty, though make sure to have some bread in between visits as the bubbles can go straight to your head. Especially if you're buying a bottle or two.

Stroll along the Avenue of Champagne and visit the varying champagne houses - there's more than enough to keep you entertained and tipsy.

champagne pouring - epernay, reims, france

Other champagne houses in Épernay to visit include Mercier, The Castellane House (which also includes a museum of vintage labels and bottles), Pierre Mignon, Michel Gonet (don't be surprised if Mr. Michel Gonet himself is on the premises), Boizel, Canard-Duchene and de Venoge.

Aside from walking the Avenue of Champagne in Épernay, where you'll find the champagne houses, you can visit:

· The Chateau Perrier; a private mansion turned museum

· Take a tour of the region that will bring you to the various vineyards and smaller champagne houses. This can be particularly exciting because you may just find a great bottle of champagne not yet available back home, rich with flavour but not priced like Dom Perignon.

· Hotel-dieu de Chateau-Thierry; a former hospital/hospice for the poor that managed thanks to its wealthy patrons. It now showcases a fun and eclectic collection of art paired with religious relics, along with medical history (warning: some things on display or discussed can be rather unpleasant and gross). While this is not in Épernay itself, its not far and definitely makes for a different experience off the beaten path when in the champagne region.

You may choose to skip Épernay and go straight to Reims, another town at the epicentre of the Champagne region, with plenty to see and - more importantly - taste. However, if you have the time, or want to spend a night, it's lovely to do both Épernay and Reims, especially because Reims has plenty to offer.

If you are looking to taste champagne but don't want to be overwhelmed with it, Reims may be your preferred choice as it has lots of historical sights well worth the visit that extend beyond bubbly. While in Reims, consider checking out some of the following:

· A visit to one - or all - of the various champagne houses, which include Veuve Cliquot, Mumm, Ruinart, and Tattinger -- this is just namedropping the biggest ones, there are many more worth your time.

· The Reims Cathedral; a Gothic church that saw the coronation of countless royals, now decorated with modern stained glass windows by Chagall to replace those that were damaged during WWII.

· The Palais du Tau, neighbouring the cathedral, is the home of the cathedral's treasury, with various historical riches and works of art on display. Tapestries, holy relics, statues, and a taslisman belonging to Charlemagne are all on display.

· The Musée des Beaux Arts; a fine arts museum set in a former abbey with a collection that ranges from the 16th century to the 20ths, with works by some of France's most renowned. Find Renoir and Monet, Matisse, Le Brun, and most notably, the second largest collection of works by Camille Coroy in the world.

· Musée-Hotel Le Vergeur; a 16th century mansion with antique furnishing and decorations on display, showcasing over 300 years woth of art and decorations. Highlights include Meissen porcelain and a large collection of engravings by German artist Albrect Durer

· Museum of the Surrender; see the secret room where the Germans surrendered to the Allied forced, signifying the end of World War 2. For any history buff, this is a must visit museum, documenting one of the most significant moments in the last century.

· Musée de Saint-Remi; housed in a former basilica, learn about the history of Reims and the surrounding area, with archaeological finds and artifacts.

· Musée Fort de la Pompelle; with a collection of German army helmets like no other museum in the world, this museums documents crucial moments in the region's history from the late 19th century to WWI. Find a unique and established collection that will transport you to the life of a solider.

· Musée Automobil Reims Champagne; featuring over 200 cars and motorbikes, this museum displays over a century worth over automobiles. For the car fans, this is a great place to see the evolution of the automobile and motorcycle.