When we first visited Champagne we discovered a superb local guiding service called “Champagne Greeters” on the Epernay Tourist office website. These are local people who guide tourists in the Champagne region – and what’s more, it’s totally free!
There are greeters in each Champagne appellation and you can find details on-line. Greeters specialize in different subjects e.g. Champagne, history etc., so you are sure to find one that covers your interests.
We booked a Greeter called Pascal Pécriaux who used to work for Möet & Chandon in marketing. Pascal speaks excellent English and is very entertaining with an excellent sense of humor. When we were walking on the Avenue de Champagne he kept saying hello to people. It seemed like Pascal knew everyone in the Champagne industry. He gave us plenty of information about each of the famous Champagne Houses on the Avenue de Champagne. He seemed to know all about each family, who owned what, who married whom etc.
I cannot recommend the greeter service highly enough. It is an excellent initiative from the Epernay Tourist Office. Champagne Greeters is a superb service and is a great way to learn facts about the region that you would otherwise probably never learn.