Le 25bis by Champagne Leclerc-Briant is a combination of chambres d’hôtes, champagne boutique and tasting bar; situated on the famous Avenue de Champagne in Épernay. The Avenue itself underwent a facelift just over 10 years ago, extending and resurfacing the pavements whilst swapping the tarmac roadway for cobble stones. Around this time, champagne producers from outside of the town as well as those houses located on the Avenue began renovating properties and opening boutiques. The Avenue de Champagne was included within the Champagne UNESCO World Heritage List of 2015 and is now the ideal location for œnotourism with an array of houses and producers offering tastings all within a short walk of each other.
Le 25bis opened in 2018 following a tasteful restoration of the gorgeous 18th century property. Upstairs you will find five luxuriously appointed guest rooms that also have access to the ground floor salon where sumptuous breakfasts including a glass of Leclerc-Briant Réserve Brut are served for the ideal start to your day. On the ground floor at the front of the property is the well-stocked wine shop, adjacent to this is the terrace. Each of the five rooms offer light and space with quality and comfortable furnishings. The bathrooms bedecked in marble and stocked with Diptyque of Paris are a delight. There is also a private section of terrace for residents to enjoy along with a tranquil garden. On-site parking is available including one electric vehicle charging point. Le 25bis offer a concierge service and electric bicycles are available to rent if you wish to explore the region on two wheels. Tours with tastings of the winery, located across the town centre in Rue de la Chaude Ruelle are available; advanced reservation required.
The wine shop is open seven days a week Sunday to Thursday 11am to 7pm with 8pm closing on Fridays and Saturdays. Alongside wine sales it is possible to purchase champagne by the glass including flights or bottles if you prefer to enjoy ‘sûr place’. The domaine’s champagnes are overseen by the man oft regarded as the godfather of biodynamics Hervé Jestin. Each wine is full of life, poised and exquisitely balanced and the addition of Abyss to the range, the first champagne aged on the sea floor was an intriguing experiment which has produced some serious vintage champagnes. Much of Leclerc-Briant’s extensive range of wines can be enjoyed in the wine shop, on the terrace or in the salon for residents; meaning you can easily while away an hour or two relaxing in the comfort of Le 25bis. If that wasn’t enough to tempt you, two delicious platters incorporating three purveyors of fantastic quality produce are on hand to tempt you. Providing the preserved duck and salmon is Maison Barthouil, the cheese is sourced from Philippe Olivier who also have a shop in the town; Maison Duculty are the artisan charcutier completing the array of delicacies.
Épernay is a great base and the Avenue de Champagne an ideal location to enjoy a break in the Champagne region. Le 25bis, with is glorious architecture, fine champagnes, delicious platters and amazing staff really does provide the perfect Champagne stay.
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