Traveling through the champagne region of France is an off-the-beaten track adventure for couples and families looking for WWI history, art, regional cuisine, and yes, champagne. Chain hotels, guest houses, inns, boutique hotels and even chateaus are available to stay in as you explore the eastern part of France and make your way from Paris to Metz. We’ve checked out several accommodation options across the region. All have rooms large enough to lodge at least a family of four, many with the capability to house larger families and multigenerational groups (grandparents, parents and kids) in the same space. No matter how long you stay in each city or town, you are sure to walk away well rested and well fed.
Lodging options in the champagne region of France
Near Chateau Thierry
Chateau de la Marjolaine, Hameau d’Aulnois- 02400 Essomes-Sur-Marne, France. If you want to get away from the hustle of Paris and in the champagne region of France, head south along the Marne river in Chateau Thierry to the beautiful guesthouse of Chateau de la Marjolaine, owned by Jeanne Pierre, Bruno and their two small dogs. The restaurant is excellent and draws locals from across the region. The rooms are comfortable, offering two room suites for families in need of a little space. The indoor pool and gardens are great places for the kids to play while you enjoy local champagne or after dinner coffee. Breakfast is a simple, yet filling affair, and parking is available on site.
Check hotel availability and prices in Chateau Thierry, France
Aisne region near Laon
Moulin Bertrard, 02860 Martigny-Courpierre, France. Roughing it never looked so good when you are sleeping in one of these decked out yurts in the champagne region of France. This is truly my idea of camping. The only thing missing was an en suite toilet. The shared facilities were in great condition though, with warm showers and clean toilets. Our yurt included a queen bed plus two twin beds for our boys. It was very dark at night, which can be scary for little ones, but there are lights you can leave on or you can plug a nightlight into the one outlet by the door. The owners are generous with the amenities, providing badminton, board games, and a soccer ball with net so kids can run around while their parents relax with a glass of local champagne. The owner even brought the pony out for my son to ride and let him grab the soccer ball from the deer enclosure. The on site restaurant is delicious with a fabulous kids menu that caters to picky eaters (yes, they have chicken nuggets in France), and ice cream for dessert of course. If the Îles flottantes is on the dessert menu order it. This is a local dessert consisting of whipped egg whites, Creme Anglaise and toasted almonds with caramel. Divine and one of the best we had during our trip.
Check hotel availability and prices near Laon, France
Hotel du Golf de l’Ailette, 23 rue de Chemin des Dames, 02860 Chamouille, France. If you are exploring the Aisne area in the champagne region of France and you need a pool for the kids, this is the hotel for you. The rooms are large, quiet and comfortable with beautiful views of the lake the hotel sits on. The restaurant offers a full breakfast buffet, along with indoor and outdoor dinning at night and a full bar. If you are a fan of golf you can schedule a tee time at the hotel, or simply nap by the outdoor heated pool or hop on a boat ride around the lake (you can’t swim in it).
Check hotel availability and prices near Laon, France
Near Reims
Best Western PLUS Hotel de la Paix, 9 Rue Buirette, 51100 Reims. This hotel includes well-priced simple luxury within walking distance of the Reims Cathedral, and a pool for the kids, making you the super hero of the day when you arrive. Depending on the size of your family, you may have to book connecting rooms, but it will be worth it if you don’t want to drive or take the train to explore this historic city that was almost completely leveled by World War One.
Novotel Suites Reims Centre, 1 rue Edouard Mignot, 51100, Reims, France. This hotel is located on the edge of the city center with easy access to the train station. The Reims Cathedral is within walking distance, although it will not be a short walk, so pack your light stroller. There is enough room for a family of four to stay in one room together, but you may need to ask for adjoining rooms if you are a larger family traveling together. There is a refrigerator in the room, which will make those early morning first breakfasts for the kids easier as you get ready to tackle your day and head downstairs to the breakfast buffet or out into the city to explore.
Check hotel availability and prices in Reims, France
Le Tulipier, Rue Saint Jacques, 51800 Vienne-le-Chateau. Located in the forest just outside of Reims, this hotel makes you feel like you are nowhere near a city while exploring the champagne region of France. Hike the trails around the property or enjoy the indoor heated pool with your kids. There is a volleyball net and games to enjoy as a family, or you can make a quick stop at night to sleep in your large room with a queen bed plus rollaway beds for the kids (plenty of room for two beds). The restaurant is the best surprise of all as the chef whips up delicious appetizers like duck and melon, or a green gazpacho. Kids menus are available, which really makes the whole family happy, especially when your steak loving kid can get a steak frites all to himself.
Check hotel availability and prices near Reims, France
Verdun, France
Les Jardins du Mess, 22 Quai de la Republique, 55100 Verdun. Located right on the river, this hotel is perfect for families who want to walk around the city of Verdun to see all of the art, history and culture the area has to offer. Family rooms include a massive bed, along with two pull out chair beds for your kids (ingenious idea), and a huge bathroom with soaker tub that will make your children forget that the hotel doesn’t have a pool. All of the major attractions in town are within walking distance, making it easy to park your car in the hotel lot, stroll across the river, hit the local playgrounds, and find a nice café to sit at for a few minutes as you re-caffeinate and the kids fill up on local French pastries. The breakfast buffet is generous with endless coffee for you and hot chocolate for the kids (ask the wait staff for hot chocolate. They do have it.) This hotel also holds a secret area for kids under the stairs where loads of toys are available to play with as they wait for mom and dad to check in or get directions. Watch out though—your kids might not want to leave after they start to play.
Check hotel availability and prices in Verdun, France
Hotel Les Orchidees, Rue Robert Shuman, 55100 Verdun. This small hotel on the outskirts of Verdun has a fun play yard for kids, including a trampoline, and a great restaurant for parents to enjoy while their children play.
Chateau des Monthairons, 26 route de Verdun—55320 Les Monthairons. If you have ever wanted to stay in a chateau this is the hotel for you and your family as you travel through the champagne region of France. The chateau was used as a hospital during WWI, and the same family has owned the property for generations. Rooms can house anywhere from two up to six people per suite, making it the perfect escape for larger families and multigenerational groups. Every room is unique, and includes an en suite bathroom. Dining is available onsite, as well as a huge front lawn for your kids to run around and explore.
Check hotel availability and prices in Verdun, France
Metz, France
Novotel Metz Centre, Place des Paraiges-Centre Commercial Saint Jacques-57000 Metz. This chain hotel is perfectly located when you want to explore Metz with kids. It is a short walk up to the cathedral and the small train you can hop on to tour the city. The hotel offers an outdoor pool, kids game area (including a Nintendo Wii), and a restaurant that serves a nice buffet breakfast and table service dinner. Parking is available under the hotel as well.
Check hotel availability and prices in Metz, France
PIN IT FOR LATER!
