Perched on a hillside above the Marne valley, Hautvillers is one of the most storied villages in all of Champagne. This is where a Benedictine monk named Dom Pérignon spent his life among the vines, and where tradition places the birth of the wine that made the region famous. Beautiful, historic and wrapped in vineyards, it is an essential stop for anyone discovering Champagne. Here is everything to know about Hautvillers and Dom Pérignon, a short drive from Le Domaine d’Ailleurs.

Dom Pérignon: the man behind the legend

The popular story says Dom Pérignon invented Champagne. The truth is a little more interesting. Dom Pierre Pérignon was cellar master at the Abbey of Saint-Pierre d’Hautvillers from 1668 to 1715, and while sparkling wine was not the work of any single inventor, he made genuine and lasting advances: rigorous blending of grapes from different plots, careful pressing and a relentless pursuit of quality. Tradition celebrates him as the founding figure of Champagne, and Hautvillers proudly calls itself the cradle of the wine.

The abbey and Dom Pérignon’s tomb

At the heart of the village stands the former abbey church, now the parish church, where Dom Pérignon is buried. Standing before his tomb, surrounded by the vineyards he knew, is a quietly moving moment for any lover of Champagne. The church and the remains of the abbey are the historic core of Hautvillers and the reason many visitors make the climb.

A village of wrought-iron signs and vineyard views

Beyond its history, Hautvillers is simply lovely to wander. The village is famous for its ornate wrought-iron signs, hung above shops and houses, each one a small work of art depicting a trade or a story. The flower-filled lanes open onto sweeping views over the Marne valley and its endless rows of vines. It is the kind of place where a slow stroll, camera in hand, is the whole point.

Tasting Champagne at the source

Hautvillers is home to several grower-producers who welcome visitors for tastings, a more intimate alternative to the grand houses of Épernay and Reims. Sitting with a glass where Champagne was perfected, looking out over the vines, is an experience that stays with you. It is a fitting way to understand the wine at its very source.

An easy visit from the estate

Hautvillers sits just above Épernay, about 45 minutes from Le Domaine d’Ailleurs, and pairs naturally with a day in Épernay and the surrounding villages. Explore the abbey, the signs and the views, taste at a grower or two, then return to the calm of a private estate and a swim in the heated indoor pool. It is Champagne history at its most charming, with a peaceful base to come home to.