We are heading to France and Belgium in June-July. Though our main focus will be Normandy, we are going to do 2-3 days side trip to Champagne region. Any recommendations on visiting / staying places? I am looking for family owned wineries with intimate atmosphere and personal attention. I am not a big Champagne drinker but would like to widen my horizons.
Thank you
Champagne Vilmart & Cie
Champagne J-M Sélèque
Pierre Paillard
Champagne A.Margaine
Thanks Nikita. I will look into those.
It would be easy for you to arrange a visit at Paul Bara.
If you’re in Rilly-la-Montagne, definitely visit Daniel Dumont. Maybe not a top Champagne house, but a cool visit and great QPR, so to speak.
Thank you.
If still needed, I’m Belgian so feel free to hit me up for some tips on Belgium.
Hi Cedric. Thanks for reaching. We are driving from Normandy to Brugge and will be staying there for 4 days in beginning of July. We will have a car during that stay. Planning to visit Ghent. Looking for recommendations on places to visit on the way to Bruges, culinary experiences and other cool things to do in and around Bruges and Ghent. Any other interesting towns to visit? I guess Belgium is not big on wine, but maybe interesting brewery to visit.
Thank you!
Hi Vadim,
For the culinary experiences I can advice some stuff between French fries and Michelin *** restaurant so if you can guide me a bit on what you’re looking for, that would be nice.
If you can pass " Wijndomein Entre-Deux-Monts" on your way up to Brugge, that’s definitely one of the beter stuff we make in Belgium, their top cuvée of sparkling wine is amazing. Furthermore Belgium is big on wine, but we don’t produce much ourselves. Breweries on the other hand, we do have a few of those.
I’m not big on beers myself but “Brouwerij de Sint-Sixtusabdij van Westvleteren” was elected as “the best beer in the world” a few years ago. In Brugge you have “De halve maan” which is apparently nice as well and “De Koninck” in Antwerpen is also really nice. Around Brussels I would visit Kriek Boon.
Make sure to check before hand if they are open for visits etc.
For 4 days Brugge and Gent seems already a full planning, there are definitely some other interesting places to go but might be long drives from Brugge. Let me know what you’re specifically looking for and I might give some more relevant suggestions.
Gotta drop into de Garre.
Thanks Cedric.
That’s what I meant. I am sure Belgians love and appreciate wine not less than others.
As far as restaurants - fair question. We will have family of four so Micheline *** probably not, outside of my budget. I am not a snob - will eat simple food with my hands as long as it is made with love. Some atmospheric places that we would remember, not just restaurants.
Wijndomein Entre-Deux-Monts looks great and it’s on the way, so will definitely plan a stop.
It looks great, Patrick. Will pay a visit for sure. Thank you.
I’m going to think about what to recommend you and will come back to this. Feel free to send me a PM if I would forget about this and your trip is coming closer!