Hautvillers Village and Dom Pérignon's Abbey
Perched on a vine-terraced hillside above the Marne Valley, the village of Hautvillers is so perfectly preserved it looks like a film set — but it is entirely real, and its Benedictine abbey is where the legendary cellar master Dom Pérignon spent 47 years perfecting the art of Champagne-making in the late 17th century.
A Village Frozen in Amber
The streets of Hautvillers are lined with ornate wrought-iron signs depicting the trades and crafts of the village — a tradition maintained for centuries — and nearly every house has a vine growing up its facade. The village sits within the Parc Naturel Régional de la Montagne de Reims and the views down over the Marne Valley from the abbey terrace are among the finest in Champagne.
The Abbey of Saint-Pierre d'Hautvillers is now owned by Moët & Chandon and is not open for public tours inside, but Dom Pérignon's tomb is visible in the abbey church, which is open to visitors. Standing at his gravestone and looking out over the vines he tended is a quietly moving experience.
Exploring on Foot and by Glass
The village is small enough to walk entirely in under an hour. Stop at the Caveau du Vigneron cooperative on the main square for a tasting of village-produced Champagnes from small growers — these are often better value and more characterful than the big-brand bottles and the staff are genuinely enthusiastic about what they pour.
The GR14 footpath descends from Hautvillers through the vines to the Marne riverbank at Cumières, a beautiful 45-minute walk that rewards you with a view back up to the village perched on its ridge — one of the defining Champagne images.
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