HABITS DE LUMIÈRE: A SPARKLING WINTER WONDERLAND IN ÉPERNAY
Christmas time is nearing and in these challenging times, a generous dose of Christmas magic and happy moments is needed more than ever. Luckily, there’s one thing all champagne lovers can look forward to every December – and, no, we’re not (yet) speaking of indulgent Christmas meals and the joy of selecting the best sparkling bottles to treat yourself and your loved ones over the holidays.
Every year in December, before the universal Christmas panic takes over all of our lives, the city of Épernay and a whole plethora of engaged partners prepare a special treat: the Habits de Lumière festival. Ever since the first festival in 2000, Épernay continues to offer a program so effervescent and full of surprises that this long festive weekend has become a not-to-miss date on the calendar of the region.
Welcoming both locals and international wine travelers for this occasion, Épernay’s prestigious Avenue de Champagne turns into a magical wonderland of sparkling atmosphere. The epicenter of champagne production and enotourism – classified as a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2015 – then shuts down the traffic and installs numerous pop-up champagne bars, music stages, and gourmet stands to entertain even the finest champagne loving palates.
Jazz singers, musicians, performance artists, light installations, and creative video mappings add their own festive magic to the historical buildings. The eventful program equally amazes families with kids as it delights passionate champagne connoisseurs.
Many of the champagne houses situated on the Avenue de Champagne will also host tastings, offer special visits throughout the day, and turn their courtyards into champagne bars in the evening – including some of the most exclusive names such as Champagne Pol Roger, Champagne Perrier-Jouet, Champagne Leclerc-Briant, Champagne de Venoge, Champagne Moet & Chandon, or Champagne Mercier just to name a few (see updates on the of the full program on the Habits de Lumière website, link at the end of the article).
The Sparkling Program Highlights
Habits de Saveurs
As a part of the festive weekend, some of the most famous and starred chefs from the region cook creative recipes at the Saturday morning market in the center of Épernay. In front of the curious market visitors, they offer a glimpse into their culinary craft and the fine cuisine that pairs well with champagne.
Each chef will team up with one champagne house to make one of their cuvées shine in an exceptional pairing. Although seeing the chefs in action and listening to their advice is already a treat in itself, the best part of the show is tasting the outstanding gourmet treats which are served to the curious audience.
When? Saturday, 10.12.2022 from 09:00 to 12:30
Where? Épernay’s Farmer’s Market (Marché d’Épernay)
Access: Free access
Champagne Pairing Sessions
Champagne educator Franck Wolfert will host four free champagne pairing sessions on Saturday. A selection of champagne from the houses and vignerons on the Avenue de Champagne is presented in pairs with gastronomical snacks during these 40-minute sessions. A must-try event for every champagne lover!
When? Saturday, 10.12.2022 – four sessions available (14:00, 15:00, 16:00, or 17:00) Where? Hôtel de Ville d’Épernay (the City Hall located at 7 bis Avenue de Champagne)
Access: Free offer with limited seats (reservation required, see details on the Habits de Lumière website)
Vintage Car Parade
The Habits de Lumière weekend traditionally ends with a vintage car parade showcasing countless old-timers whose owners come from all over France and foreign countries to join Épernay’s festivities.
When? Sunday, 11.12.2022 – The gathering and exposition of the cars begins at 08:30, and the final parade through the streets of Épernay starts at 11:00
Where? City center of Épernay
Access: Free access
Champagne bars and tastings at Habits de Lumière
Les 3 Domaines
(Champagne Patrick Boivin, Champagne, Vincent Testulat, Champagne Janisson-Baradon)
When? Friday 9.12.2022, Saturday 10.12.2022, and Sunday 11.12.2022
Where? 1 avenue de Champagne
What? Champagne bar
Champagne Moët & Chandon
When? Friday 9.12.2022, Saturday 10.12.2022, and Sunday 11.12.2022
Where? 9 and 20 avenue de Champagne
What? Cellar visits and tastings (each day from 9:30 to 17:00), champagne boutique (each day from 9:30 to 18:00), champagne bar with music (Friday and Saturday from 17:00), illuminations of the Orangerie garden (Friday and Saturday from 19:00)
Champagne Perrier-Jouët
When? Friday 9.12.2022, Saturday 10.12.2022, and Sunday 11.12.2022
Where? 24, 26, and 28 avenue de Champagne
What? Visits of the Belle Époque cellar (Friday and Saturday from 12:00 to 15:00 and 18:00 to 22:00, Sunday from 10:00 to 16:00), illumination of the facades
Champagne Collard-Picard
When? Friday 9.12.2022, Saturday 10.12.2022, and Sunday 11.12.2022
Where? 15, avenue de Champagne
What? Champagne bar (Friday and Saturday), champagne boutique (each day from 10:00 to 19:00), tapas bar, illumination of the facades
Champagne Pol Roger
When? Friday 9.12.2022 and, Saturday 10.12.2022
Where? 34, avenue de Champagne
What? Champagne bar (Friday and Saturday from 17:30 to 22:30), live music with jazz band Olivia Begyn Quartet, illumination of the facades
Champagne Esterlin
When? Friday 9.12.2022 and Saturday 10.12.2022
Where? 25, avenue de Champagne
What? Tastings (Friday and Saturday from 9:00), champagne and oyster bar with sushi and other snacks (Friday and Saturday from 18:00), live music with the band Brothers (from 19h30), illumination of the facades
Champagne Leclerc-Briant
When? Friday 9.12.2022, Saturday 10.12.2022, and Sunday 11.12.2022
Where? 25 bis, avenue de Champagne
What? Champagne boutique (each day 11:00 to 17:30), champagne bar and food truck “Green Monkey (Friday and Saturday 18:00 to 23:00), musical animation, cellar visits (only upon reservation; please contact the house directly or reserve in their boutique as you visit)
Champagne A. Bergère
When? Friday 9.12.2022, Saturday 10.12.2022, and Sunday 11.12.2022
Where? 38 and 40, avenue de Champagne
What? Champagne tastings in the champagne boutique (each day 10:00 to 18:00), champagne bar and snacks (Friday and Saturday from 17:30), live music with Orchestre Ambre 9, illumination of the facades
Champagne De Venoge
When? Friday 9.12.2022, Saturday 10.12.2022, and Sunday 11.12.2022
Where? 33, avenue de Champagne
What? Champagne bar, food truck, and music (Friday and Saturday from 10:00 to midnight), illumination of the facades, open champagne bar “L’Écurie” (Sunday from 10:00 to 17:00)
Champagne Boizel
When? Friday 9.12.2022, Saturday 10.12.2022, and Sunday 11.12.2022
Where? 46, avenue de Champagne
What? Champagne bar, food truck, and live music with La Dent Rose (Friday and Saturday from 18:00 to midnight), cellar visits (English tour each day at 11:30, French tour each day at 14:30), champagne boutique “L’Atelier 1834” (each day from 11:00 to 16:00)
Champagne Michel Gonet
When? Friday 9.12.2022, Saturday 10.12.2022, and Sunday 11.12.2022
Where? 37, avenue de Champagne
What? Champagne tastings in the boutique (each day from 10:30), champagne and food bar with music (Friday and Saturday)
Champagne Paul-Etienne Saint Germain
When? Friday 9.12.2022, Saturday 10.12.2022, and Sunday 11.12.2022
Where? 51 avenue de Champagne
What? Champagne tastings in the boutique (Friday and Saturday from 11:30 to 17:00, Sunday from 11:00 to 13:00), champagne bar, snacks, and music (Friday and Saturday from 17:30), illumination of the facade
Champagne De Castellane
When? Friday 9.12.2022, Saturday 10.12.2022, and Sunday 11.12.2022
Where? 63 avenue de Champagne
What? Cellar visits and champagne tastings (each day from 10:00 to 12:00 and 14:00 to 17:00), video mapping on the facade (Friday and Saturday)
Champagne Elodie D.
When? Friday 9.12.2022, Saturday 10.12.2022, and Sunday 11.12.2022
Where? 71-73 avenue de Champagne
What? Champagne bar and boutique with snacks and local products (Friday and Saturday from 11:00, Sunday from 11:00 to 19:00), music and dance floor
Champagne Mercier
When? Friday 9.12.2022, Saturday 10.12.2022, and Sunday 11.12.2022
Where? 68-70 avenue de Champagne
What? Cellar visits and tasting (each day 9:30 to 16:30), champagne boutique (each day 9:30 to 17:00), illumination of the facade
Champagne Comtesse Lafond
When? Friday 9.12.2022, Saturday 10.12.2022, and Sunday 11.12.2022
Where? 79 avenue de Champagne
What? Champagne boutique and tastings (each day from 10:00 to 17:00), guided tours at the Domaine Comtesse Lafon (only upon reservation, please contact them directly) , illumination of the facade
Syndicat Général des Vignerons de la Champagne
When? Friday 9.12.2022, Saturday 10.12.2022, and Sunday 11.12.2022
Where? 17-19 avenue de Champagne
What? Champagne bar with a selection of grower champagnes (and some winemakers), food truck, music (Friday and Saturday from 18:00 to midnight), champagne tastings at boutique “19, Avenue de Champagne” (open on Sunday from 11:00 to 19:00)
Champagne Mailliard
When? Friday 9.12.2022, Saturday 10.12.2022, and Sunday 11.12.2022
Where? 64 avenue de Champagne
What? Champagne bar and music (Friday and Saturday)
The Taste of Effervescence
As an impression of the spirit of the Habits de Lumière festival, we hope that this video from last year’s event will convince you to make a trip to Épernay and join the effervescent festival.
We’ll allow Dom Pérignon, whose statue participates in the Habits de Lumière festival every year in the courtyard of Champagne Moet & Chandon, a last word to convince you to join the festival:
„Venez mes frères, je bois des étoiles…! “(Come quickly brothers, I am tasting the stars…!)
All information and further program details can be found on the Habits de Lumière website:
https://habitsdelumiere.epernay.fr/ (website available in French and English)