STAY > Hôtel Les Avisés, Épernay (19/20)

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With just 10 rooms, Hôtel Les Avisés and its neighbouring champagne house (Domaine Jacques Selosse) is a delightful stay with solid hospitality and exceptional food and drink.

Les Avisés is a picturesque enclave in the heart of Avize, Champagne, renowned for its grand cru vineyards and serene rural charm. Perched amid the chalky slopes of the Côte des Blancs, this village is deeply intertwined with the heritage of Chardonnay—its vines yield some of the world’s finest Champagne, celebrated for delicacy and minerality. Visitors are drawn to Les Avises both for its scenic beauty and its connection to the legendary Domaine Jacques Selosse, whose innovative winemaking and boutique hotel-restaurant have made the town an essential stop for wine lovers seeking authenticity, gastronomic excellence, and genuine French hospitality

AMBIENCE >

The traditional façade of the 19th century manor house contrasts with the white and light filled interior. White painted mouldings, contemporary art and design, and parquet floors compliment the history of the building and grounds.

A lounge area and patio are both perfect for afternoon drinks, before dinner in the restaurant.

Host Marie was relaxed with an air of confidence.

A tasting at Domaine Jacques Selosse is a must, although we missed out as the team had just finished harvest. There were, however, fireworks at 11pm to celebrate harvest.

SLEEP >

Our room was large. A hallway with views to the garden flowed to the bathroom, with a bath, a shower, and the toilet behind its own door, then to the main room. The king sized bed centred the room, which also had a desk, lounge and arm chair, and television. The abundance of furniture filled the space, without being cramped.

EAT AND DRINK >

The restaurant is Michelin recommended, run by husband and wife team Stéphane and Nathalie Rossillon who create a set menu based on seasonal agreements. Our meal included tomato salad with truffle, tuna, pork along with dessert and cheese. Sorry for the lack of detail but the food and ambience were such that we were very much in the moment and as such took few notes, it might also have had something to do with a full day tasting champagne!

And on the topic of drink, the wine was excellent (this was for a degustation for five people), and included a premium house Champagne from the winery next door. Our guide, Stephane Pommier from SOM Australia as part of his wine tours in France, said the Champagne, if there was stock he could import to Australia, would retail for $6,000 or so. It was excellent, but note we’d also been to Charles Heidsieck that morning, and lunched at Pommery.

Breakfast was plentiful with the creamiest scrambled eggs, fruit, bread, cheese and charcuterie.