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Champagne Balloon & Countryside Escape: France Wine Country Adventure

Champagne Balloon & Countryside Escape: France Wine Country Adventure

Location: Champagne Region, France (Montagne de Reims & Vallée de la Marne)
Passions: Scenic Flight / Wine Country / Slow Travel
Recommended Ages: 8+
Trip Type: Highlight+ Road Trip

Soar above the vineyards of France’s Champagne region, where misty mornings and rolling fields create the perfect backdrop for a hot air balloon ride you’ll never forget. This trip combines vineyard camping, world-class bubbles, and village-hopping along the Route du Champagne. Works perfectly as a weekend escape or extended road trip through northeast France.

  • Experience a sunrise hot air balloon flight from within walking distance of your camper
  • Tour independent Champagne houses and taste vintages among the vines
  • Perfect for romantic getaways, cultural explorers, and laid-back wine lovers
  • Best flown from April to October, with the clearest skies in spring and early autumn

Why With-a-Camper?
🍾 Sleep surrounded by vineyards with balloon lift-offs just over the hill
🎈 Walk to your hot air balloon launch site on the morning of your flight
🧭 Explore hidden Champagne villages at your own pace and avoid hotel logistics

Featured Trip Highlight
Base yourself near Rilly-la-Montagne, where hot air balloons float quietly across the vineyards at dawn. On the day of your flight, you’ll walk from your camper to the launch site and gently lift off into the morning light. From above, you’ll spot villages like Épernay and Hautvillers, riverside trails, and row upon row of perfectly groomed vines. After the flight, enjoy a celebratory flute of Champagne and a vineyard brunch.

Book This Trip 

  1. Campervan Rental: Rent a premium campervan from Paris with Oulala Motorhomes—perfect for exploring the Champagne region in comfort and style. Vehicles include full bedding, kitchens, and elegant interiors for a relaxed vineyard escape. From €590 for 3 nights.
  2. Balloon flight:
    1. Stay at Camping La Montagne de Reims
    2. Get collected for your balloon flight by  France Montgolfières – Reims/Épernay and request a launch near Rilly-la-Montagne. Balloon flights from approx. €240 per person.
  3. Campsite : Champagne Pascal Walczak – a Champagne house in Les Riceys offering free motorhome parking with power, plus tastings of house-made bubbly. Ideal for a quiet night among the vines.

Itinerary details

Suggested Itinerary
Whether you have just three days or three weeks, there’s a version of this trip for you—follow the highlights below or tailor your own route through Champagne’s countryside.

Day 1 – Arrival in Reims & Campground Check-in
Pick up your camper in Reims or Paris and head into the Champagne countryside. Settle into a peaceful campsite near the vineyards of Rilly-la-Montagne, Aÿ, or Les Riceys.
Drive time: ~2 hrs from Paris

Day 2 – Balloon Flight & Champagne Cellars
Rise early for your balloon flight from a nearby launch site. After landing and celebrating, visit one of the boutique Champagne producers in Bouzy, Aÿ, or Hautvillers. Sample vintages and enjoy a picnic among the vines.

Day 3 – Route du Champagne & Vineyard Stay
Drive the Route du Champagne, stopping in villages like Hautvillers (home of Dom Pérignon), Dizy, and Cumières. Visit small family-run cellars or head to Les Riceys for a more immersive stay at Champagne Pascal Walczak—complete with tastings and van-friendly vineyard parking.

Day 4 – Épernay Day Trip or Relaxed Glamping
Spend your day on the famed Avenue de Champagne in Épernay, visiting grand houses like Moët & Chandon or walking the riverside. Or opt for a unique glamping experience at Champagne Perron-Beauvineau, complete with a hosted meal and breakfast delivery.

Day 5 (Optional) – Châlons-en-Champagne & Canal Ride
Extend your stay with a detour to Châlons-en-Champagne for canal boat tours, flower markets, and peaceful streets. Camp nearby and enjoy a final sunset toast.
Drive time: ~1 hr

Day 6 – Return to Paris & Camper Drop-off
Drive back to Paris to return your camper. Depending on your timing, enjoy a final stop in Reims for a last stroll or lunch along the canal. Plan for traffic near the city and allow extra time for camper return.
Drive time: ~2 hrs from Châlons-en-Champagne or ~1.5 hrs from Épernay

Top tips for this trip in a campervan

Balloon flights are most stable from April to October—book for your first morning to allow for weather rescheduling

Many Champagne cellars require advance appointments, especially small producers

Campsites near Bouzy, Rilly-la-Montagne, and Dizy offer vineyard views and balloon sightings

Pair local cheeses, charcuterie, and pastries with your tastings for a full picnic experience

For an extended trip, combine this with a loop through Burgundy or Alsace wine regions

Other great itineraries

Depending on your time and passions, other top UK options could be:

🇫🇷 🏰 1. Normandy & Northern Coast: Cliffs, Castles & Calvados
History and natural drama combine — from the D-Day beaches and medieval Bayeux to the towering cliffs of Étretat and scenic cider trails inland.
Best for: History lovers, scenic drives, food & drink

🇫🇷 🚲 2. Loire Valley: Châteaux, Cycling & Crémant
Cruise between fairy-tale castles and riverside villages. Explore vineyards by bike, camp near the Loire, and enjoy refined sparkling wines under the stars.
Best for: Wine-tasting, gentle adventure, romantic escapes

🇫🇷 🛶 3. Dordogne & Lot: Prehistory, Markets & River Life
Wander medieval towns like Sarlat, canoe under limestone cliffs, and explore ancient cave art. Dine alfresco at buzzing night markets.
Best for: Family-friendly culture, canoeing, gastronomy

🇫🇷 🌸 4. Provence & the Verdon: Lavender, Limestone & Lakes
Wake up among lavender fields, paddle the turquoise Verdon Gorge, and sample rosé from local domaines. Enjoy art towns like Moustiers and market villages like Forcalquier.
Best for: Nature, active travel, photography

🇫🇷 🏔️ 5. The Pyrenees: Peaks, Pastures & Hot Springs
Escape to the mountains for wild hiking, scenic cable cars, and shepherd’s huts. Soak in natural thermal springs and sleep under vast starry skies.
Best for: Hiking, wellness, dramatic landscapes

Suggested campsites

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Why 'With a camper'?

Every experience tailored to a campervan

As campervan travelers ourselves, we understand both the delights of traveling in a motorhome and well as the smaller details (such as parking) which make it harder.

We use this knowledge to curate and design the very best experiences for you and your campervan.

Remarkable experiences you will remember

Our curated experiences are hand-picked to make your trip special. Whether it is an experience that is iconic to the destination, an inspiring place to take part in a certain activity or a visit to one of the best local restaurants, our goal is to introduce you to the experiences that you will want to write home about.

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We believe that campervan travel is a fantastic way to enjoy your passions.

Whether your interest hiking, cooking, architecture or to enjoy a great party we have a range of great campervan experiences to get you out traveling.

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Our experiences come in a range of shapes and sizes. So whether you want to add an individual activity to your existing itinerary or you are looking for an end-to-end trip then we have choices for you.

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Our experiences are designed for anyone traveling in a campervan. For travelers without their van we offer various 'campervan included trips' but also the opportunity to book a van from one of our preferred van rental partners.

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