When the grape harvest ends, Champagne still has plenty more to offer!
In the Marne Valley, just a few kilometres from Épernay, autumn brings some lovely surprises. The hillsides change colour, the forests glow with fiery shades and the villages of Champagne settle back into their peaceful rhythm.
It is a season we particularly love at Vélobourso. From Boursault, we enjoy introducing visitors to this lesser-known side of Champagne, with its quiet lanes, unexpected views and villages where time sometimes seems to slow down.
So, what is there to do in Champagne in autumn?
Here are six good reasons to come and explore our beautiful Marne Valley.
1.Admire the autumn colours in Champagne’s vineyards
Every year, after the grape harvest, Champagne’s vineyards put on a display we never tire of seeing.
The rows of vines, still green just a few weeks earlier, gradually turn into a patchwork of yellow, orange and copper.
Around Boursault, Œuilly, Reuil, Arty and Fleury-la-Rivière, the hillsides take on particularly attractive colours. Depending on the aspect of each plot, the grape varieties and the weather, the shades vary from one place to another.
What do we love? The contrast between the golden vines, the forests that are still green and the villages nestled on the hillsides.
Along the quiet lanes of the Marne Valley, you can sometimes discover a completely different view just a few hundred metres further on.
Our tip: choose a sunny day and make the most of the late-morning or early-afternoon light.
Above all, do not leave it too late: the finest colours are fleeting. Nature does not take bookings! Book here
2.To enjoy the peace and quiet of the Marne Valley.
After the bustle of summer and the excitement of the grape harvest, the Marne Valley gradually returns to its peaceful rhythm.
The villages are quieter and the country lanes invite you to slow down.
It is a time of year we particularly enjoy for discovering a different side of the area.
Imagine a little road winding through the vines, a forest dressed in autumn colours and, around a bend, an open view across the valley.
No tightly timed itinerary, no rush to tick off the sights: simply the pleasure of being outdoors.
This way of discovering Champagne perfectly reflects our philosophy at Vélobourso: taking the time to look around, stop and enjoy the moment.
With this in mind, Antoine and I have designed a new route so you can enjoy the scenery and a good breath of fresh air. Bookings are open now for departures from 1 November.
3.Discover the characterful villages around Épernay
Just a few kilometres from Épernay, the Marne Valley reveals a succession of wine-growing villages, each with its own identity and charm. Here, you will find quiet lanes winding between vines, traditional Champagne houses and hillsides, rather than busy tourist thoroughfares.
Boursault, the starting point of the Mini VB Tour, is particularly known for its majestic château, built in the 19th century for Madame Clicquot. Its silhouette stands out among the vineyards, creating an especially photogenic scene in autumn.
Next, Œuilly charms visitors with its rural heritage and traditional houses. The village also has an ecomuseum devoted to the trades and traditions of the past, offering an insight into life in Champagne. We recommend the vineyard ecomuseum.
Next comes Reuil, a wine-growing village near the Marne with a quieter atmosphere. Between its village houses and the valley scenery, you can discover an authentic side of Champagne, away from the bustle of the major tourist attractions.
There is also Venteuil, set on the hillsides and surrounded by vineyard plots that take on beautiful colours in autumn. Its location offers a chance to appreciate the characteristic contours of the Marne Valley.
Then Fleury-la-Rivière has a surprising feature: beneath the village lie traces of the sea that once covered the region. It is particularly known for La Cave aux Coquillages, a shell-filled cellar that reveals this geological past. Karine recommends a tour of La Cave aux Coquillages led by a geology enthusiast, an experience that is just as extraordinary.
Finally, Damery, a wine-growing village beside the Marne, has a rich heritage, including Saint-Georges Church. Its streets and houses reflect the history of a community deeply rooted in Champagne wine-growing.
Five villages, five different atmospheres and just as many reasons to take your time and discover a different side of the Marne Valley.
Our tip: on an electric bike, make the most of the freedom to stop and admire the villages and scenery. The loveliest discoveries are often tucked away down a little street or revealed by an unexpected view.
4.Photograph Champagne’s most beautiful landscapes
In autumn, the soft light enhances the hillsides of the Marne Valley and brings out the golden shades of the vineyards.
From Boursault, the views of the vines and its majestic château make wonderful photographic subjects.
Around Venteuil and Fleury-la-Rivière, the scenery alternates between vineyard slopes, colourful forests and sweeping views across the valley.
Then there are the little treasures you discover along the way: a traditional vineyard hut, a tree ablaze with colour or a glimpse of the Marne.
Our tip: take the time to stop and admire the scenery. There is no need for a filter here: nature does a wonderful job all by itself!
5.Explore Champagne’s vineyards by electric bike
Cycling through the Marne Valley in autumn has a special charm: the air is fresher, the colours change at every turn and the quiet lanes invite you to take your time.
An electric bike lets you soak up the atmosphere: the rustling leaves, the scents of the woodland and those views that suddenly make you want to stop.
Starting from Boursault, you travel through a succession of vineyards, Champagne villages and forests glowing with autumn colours.
At Vélobourso, we love the freedom to discover Champagne without an overfull itinerary, simply following your own wishes.
As the days grow shorter, we have created a new ride especially suited to the season: the Mini VB Tour
A lovely opportunity to enjoy autumn’s last bursts of colour before winter arrives.
6.New from Vélobourso: the Mini VB Tour, 21 km through the heart of the Marne Valley, 15 minutes from Épernay
As the days grow shorter but the desire to get outdoors remains, we have created the Mini VB Tour, a new electric bike route covering 21 km in around 2 hours.
Starting from Boursault, near Épernay, this circular route takes you through the landscapes of the Marne Valley, including the areas around Œuilly, Reuil, Venteuil, Fleury-la-Rivière and Damery.
As the kilometres unfold, so does the scenery: vineyard slopes, Champagne villages, stretches beside the forests and views across the valley.
What is more, the electric assistance lets you enjoy the hills without turning your outing into a sporting challenge.
Available from November 2026 to March 2027, from 2 pm to 4 pm, the Mini VB Tour is ideal for a little escape into nature during the low season.
It is a shorter ride than our usual routes, with just as much enjoyment.
To round things off, come and discover Champagne at your own pace, away from the bustle.
Discover the Mini VB Tour and book your ride
