By late October, the vineyards around Aÿ-Champagne and Hautvillers have turned beautiful shades of yellow, gold and orange. The rolling hillsides overlooking the Marne Valley are particularly attractive, and I often take the opportunity to photograph these landscapes between chauffeur assignments.

As a Paris-based private chauffeur, I regularly accompany visitors to Champagne, whether for a visit to a prestigious Champagne house, a special occasion or a full day exploring the region.

Recently, I drove a couple and their six-year-old child from Paris for a day that combined several different experiences.

Their itinerary included Pressoria in Aÿ-Champagne, lunch and a visit to Hautvillers, followed by Moët & Chandon and Champagne Mercier in Épernay.

It was a full programme, particularly with a young child, but it also illustrated something that visitors sometimes overlook: Champagne is not exclusively a destination for adults.

With the right choice of activities, parents can discover the region's Champagne heritage while including experiences that younger visitors may also enjoy.

Our first destination was Pressoria, located in Aÿ-Champagne, surrounded by some of the region's most celebrated vineyards.

Housed in a former Champagne pressing centre, Pressoria offers a different way of discovering Champagne.

Instead of a traditional guided cellar tour, visitors follow an immersive, sensory journey through ten themed rooms exploring the region's geology, vineyards, grape harvests and Champagne production.

Interactive displays, visual installations and hands-on activities encourage visitors to discover the subject through their senses.

This approach makes Pressoria particularly interesting for families travelling with children.

A six-year-old may not be especially interested in the technical details of winemaking, but games, images and sensory experiences can make the discovery much more engaging.

Another advantage is that the visit is self-guided, allowing families to explore at their own pace.

The complete experience generally takes around 90 minutes to two hours, depending on how much time visitors spend with the different installations.

At the end of the visit, adults can enjoy a Champagne tasting, while children and non-drinkers are offered grape juice.

Pressoria also has a panoramic terrace overlooking the vineyards, adding another reason to enjoy the location.

For families planning a Champagne day trip from Paris, I consider Pressoria one of the most interesting places to include, particularly when travelling with younger children.

After Pressoria, we continued to Hautvillers, a picturesque village overlooking the Marne Valley.

Hautvillers is one of the places I particularly enjoy visiting with my clients.

The village is closely associated with Dom Pérignon, the Benedictine monk who lived and worked at the Abbey of Saint-Pierre d'Hautvillers.

Although popular legend sometimes credits him with inventing Champagne, his historical contribution is more closely connected with the development and improvement of winemaking practices.

Our guests had chosen Hautvillers for lunch, followed by a short visit to the abbey and the surrounding village.

With its narrow streets, traditional houses and distinctive wrought-iron signs, Hautvillers has retained much of its character.

But what I appreciate most is the scenery.

From the viewpoints around the village, the vineyards stretch across the hillsides towards the Marne Valley.

In autumn, the changing colours create a beautiful landscape, particularly when the afternoon sunlight catches the rows of golden vines.

For families, Hautvillers also provides a welcome opportunity to slow down.

After an indoor activity such as Pressoria, a leisurely lunch and a short walk outdoors can be a pleasant change of pace.

Not every stop needs to involve a scheduled tour.

Sometimes, simply enjoying the countryside is part of the experience.

From Hautvillers, our journey continued to Épernay and its famous Avenue de Champagne.

This elegant avenue is home to several prestigious Champagne houses and is one of the region's most recognisable landmarks.

Our guests had reserved a visit to Moët & Chandon, one of the world's best-known Champagne houses.

The historic property and its extensive underground cellars offer visitors an introduction to the house's heritage and Champagne-making traditions.

After their visit, the family mentioned an interesting detail: their six-year-old child had been offered sparkling grape juice during the tasting experience.

While the parents enjoyed their Champagne, their child was able to participate with a non-alcoholic alternative.

It's a small consideration, but one that can make a family visit more enjoyable.

Nevertheless, Champagne cellar tours remain primarily designed for adults.

Children may not find the historical explanations and technical aspects of winemaking as interesting as their parents do.

I would therefore recommend checking the admission conditions and arrangements for younger visitors directly with Moët & Chandon before booking.

For families interested in visiting another prestigious Champagne house, Bollinger is also worth considering.

Founded in 1829, Champagne Bollinger is located in Aÿ-Champagne, close to Pressoria.

The house is particularly renowned for its Pinot Noir expertise, traditional methods and long history of Champagne production.

Its location makes it a convenient alternative for visitors who prefer to concentrate more of their day around Aÿ-Champagne rather than travel immediately to Épernay.

Certain Bollinger guided tours welcome children from the age of six, although the experiences remain primarily focused on Champagne history, cellar ageing and tastings for adults.

Visits typically last around two hours, which may be demanding for younger children.

For this reason, I would regard Bollinger as an alternative to Moët & Chandon rather than an additional stop on an already busy family itinerary.

Parents should confirm the admission conditions for their chosen experience and make reservations in advance.

Our family's final destination was Champagne Mercier, located on Avenue de Champagne in Épernay.

Among the Champagne houses open to visitors, Mercier offers an experience that is particularly interesting for families.

Its underground cellars can be explored aboard a small electric train.

After descending into the cellars, visitors travel through a network of galleries beneath Épernay, discovering the history of the house and the underground environment where Champagne is stored.

For younger children, the train journey adds an element of adventure to a traditional cellar visit.

Rather than walking through a succession of underground corridors, they can discover the cellars while enjoying an unusual ride.

Of course, Mercier remains a Champagne house, not a children's amusement attraction.

But its train makes the visit different from a conventional guided tour and can help maintain a child's interest.

It's also worth remembering that Champagne cellars remain cool throughout the year.

I always recommend bringing a sweater or light jacket, even in summer.

The itinerary chosen by my guests already included several visits, making it a particularly full day.

I wouldn't recommend adding more activities to the same programme, especially when travelling with young children.

However, there are two other places around Épernay that families may wish to consider as alternatives.

This is an important question when planning a family day trip from Paris.

The family I recently accompanied chose a busy itinerary, combining Pressoria, Hautvillers and two Champagne houses in a single day.

Such a programme requires careful planning, particularly because guided cellar visits usually take place at fixed times.

For families travelling with a six-year-old, I would generally recommend choosing fewer activities and allowing more time between them.

For example, Pressoria, lunch in Hautvillers and an afternoon visit to Champagne Mercier would already offer a varied introduction to the region.

Parents who are especially interested in discovering a prestigious Champagne house could instead choose Moët & Chandon or Bollinger, depending on their preferences and the admission conditions for children.

The important thing is to find the right balance between the interests of adults and those of younger visitors.

A few practical considerations can make the day more enjoyable:

• Book Champagne house visits and museum tickets in advance.
• Check minimum ages and admission conditions for children.
• Allow enough time for lunch and short breaks.
• Bring warm clothing for underground cellar visits.
• Avoid scheduling too many activities at fixed times.

Most importantly, leave some time to appreciate the landscapes and villages between visits.

The Champagne region has much more to offer than its famous cellars.

Épernay and the surrounding Champagne villages are approximately two hours from Paris by car, depending on the departure point and traffic conditions.

Although Aÿ-Champagne, Hautvillers and Épernay are relatively close to one another, travelling between several destinations can require some organisation.

For families, particularly those with young children, a private chauffeur can make the day more convenient.

Guests can be collected directly from their hotel or accommodation in Paris and travel between their chosen destinations without having to worry about driving, parking or coordinating public transport.

At My Driver in Paris – Boutique Chauffeur Service, I provide private chauffeur-driven day trips to Champagne in comfortable premium sedans.

My guests choose and reserve their Champagne house visits, museums and restaurants, while I take care of their transportation throughout the excursion.

Suitable child seats can be provided on request, depending on the child's age and height.

The itinerary can be planned around the family's interests, with reasonable flexibility between scheduled visits.

My role is to make the journey comfortable and straightforward, allowing guests to concentrate on enjoying their day.

I believe Champagne can be a rewarding destination for families, provided the itinerary is adapted to the children's ages and interests.

Not every Champagne house visit will appeal to young children, and I wouldn't recommend filling an entire day with traditional cellar tours.

But combining an interactive experience such as Pressoria, a scenic stop in Hautvillers and an underground train ride at Mercier offers a different perspective on the region.

Parents can discover the history and traditions of Champagne while their children enjoy activities that are more accessible to them.

And beyond the attractions themselves, there's the pleasure of exploring the villages and vineyards.

On this particular autumn excursion, the golden landscapes around Aÿ-Champagne and Hautvillers were especially beautiful.

I had the opportunity to capture some of those colours with my camera between stops.

It's one of the reasons I always enjoy returning to Champagne.

The region changes with the seasons, and every visit offers a slightly different experience.