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Museum · Épernay, Grande Leste
Musée du Vin de Champagne et d'Archéologie régionale
Museum in the Château Perrier, a 19th-century mansion on the Avenue de Champagne, which tells the story of the region from geology to champagne, with about 2,000 objects and interactive exhibits.
Illustrative images. The pictures in this guide are illustrations based on the real place, not photographs, and may differ from it.
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About Musée du Vin de Champagne et d'Archéologie régionale
The Musée du Vin de Champagne et d'Archéologie régionale is housed in Château Perrier, a mansion built in the 19th century for the champagne merchant Charles Nicolas Perrier by architect Eugène Cordier. The building is a listed historic monument and is located on the Avenue de Champagne.
The route begins with the formation of the chalk soil millions of years ago and the region's paleontology. Next comes the archaeology, with items ranging from Neolithic burials to Celtic ornaments, Gallo-Roman pottery and Merovingian jewelry.
The section devoted to champagne occupies about ten rooms, with tools, machines, bottles, paintings and posters that show how production and consumption have changed over the centuries. The visit ends with collections donated by local Belle Époque collectors, and the mansion's historic salons are also part of the tour.
In total there are about 2,000 objects, with tactile tables and other interactive resources. It is a good complement to cellar visits because it explains the context that the champagne houses do not usually cover.
Before you go
Practical information
Cidade Turismo reviews its information regularly, but something may have changed. Check with the place before planning your trip.
How much time to set aside
About 1h30 to 2 hours.
Best time
Before cellar visits, to understand the region. The museum usually closes on Tuesdays; check the opening hours before you go.
How to get there
It's on the Avenue de Champagne, about a 10-minute walk from Gare d'Épernay.
Tip
Don't skip the geology section: it explains why the chalk is so important for the cellars. On the first Sunday of each month admission is free; check before you go.
Get your questions answered
Frequently asked questions about Musée du Vin de Champagne et d'Archéologie régionale
What is in the Musée du Vin de Champagne?
Geology and paleontology of the region, archaeology from the Neolithic to the Merovingians, about ten rooms about champagne, and the historic halls of Château Perrier.
On which day is the museum closed?
The museum is usually closed on Tuesdays. Check the opening hours before you go.
Is it worth it for someone who has already done a cellar tour?
Yes. The museum shows the history of the region and of production as a whole, without focusing on a specific house.