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One of the most famous wine regions in the world, Champagne is a must-visit destination for wine lovers. It also appeals to those who simply want to escape to the French countryside to wind down for a few days, a glass of bubbly in hand.

Most people make the main towns of 脡辫别谤苍补测 or Reims their base for visiting the region鈥檚 many Champagne houses. Yet the village of A每 (population 3500) has a surprising amount to offer, too. A每 is where Champagne Bollinger was founded, and where famed French jeweler Rene虂 Lalique was born. And the village鈥檚 excellent choice of Champagne houses gives visitors a full introduction to the world鈥檚 most famous drink.

• When to arrive: Plan to visit between in autumn between September and early November when the harvest season is bustling and you can see the winemaking process. 

• Getting there: Located 7km (4 miles) east of 脡辫别谤苍补测, in northeastern France, A每 is reachable by train from Paris Gare de l鈥橢st in 90 minutes (change at 脡辫别谤苍补测). The same journey is around two hours by car. Alternatively, Reims is 20 minutes from A每 by train or a 35-minute drive.

• Getting around town: Rent an e-bike for a joyous way to travel through the town.

• Where to stay: Most of the accommodations in A每 are chambres d鈥檋么tes (B&Bs). A few of these are housed in historic properties, such as the 18th-century . , which belongs to Champagne Collery, can organize Champagne tastings for guests. For something bigger and with more amenities, the three-star hotel  occupies a former 19th-century mansion, still with its original stained-glass windows and art nouveau glass roof.

1. Get to know Ay虉 with a guided tour

If you want delve into A每鈥檚 history, start by booking a guided tour through the tourist office in Hautviller (or book ). Walks either focus on the history and architecture of Ay虉, taking in sights such as the village鈥檚 typical half-timbered houses and the 15th-century Gothic-style 脡glise Saint-Brice 鈥� or show visitors the commune鈥檚 gourmet side with strolls through the vineyards before heading back to town to visit various shops and producers. At these stores, you pick up bottles of Champagne, local cheeses and , traditional pink baked delights.

You can also find out more about the life of Rene虂 Lalique, the French jeweler and master glassmaker who was born in Ay虉 in 1860, by following the self-guided . Look for the signs dotted around the village (with information in French and English), or grab a map from Ay虉 town hall.

2. Sweep through the vineyards on an e-bike

runs excellent e-bike tours starting from three locations in Champagne: Reims, 脡辫别谤苍补测 and Mareuil-sur-A每, the next commune over from A每. After getting kitted out with a helmet and e-bike (which you鈥檒l need to help with the surrounding sloping hills), you鈥檒l head out with an expert guide to cycle past Champagne鈥檚 , including (the Children鈥檚 Hillside), where Bollinger grows the grapes for its prestigious Champagne and red wine of the same name. The steep hill is easily spotted thanks to its white chalky cliff; some believe got its name as only children were nimble enough to climb up it to harvest the grapes.

You鈥檒l also stop at the charming commune of Hautvillers to see Dom P茅rignon鈥檚 tomb in , and enjoy a well-deserved Champagne tasting back in Mareuil-sur-A每.

3. Go tasting at the Champagne houses

Founded in 1829, is A每's most famous Champagne house. The company has a (not to mention the approval of James Bond), thanks in part to the formidable Lily Bollinger who is credited with making the Champagne house what it is today. It was Lily鈥檚 idea to put only 鈥淏ollinger鈥� on the bottle.

take you down into the cellars and finish with a tasting. You also get to peek through the locked gates of Galerie 1829, Bollinger鈥檚 collection of valuable vintages, which date back to its inception. (Book in advance.)

Another Champagne house with a long history but less known outside of France,  produces low-dosage Champagnes (with minimal sugar added to the wine before it is sealed) that champion the purity of chardonnay grapes (Bollinger, by contrast uses pinot noir). Ayala was a pioneer in dry Champagne, bucking the trend for the sweet, almost syrupy style of the drink. Touring both houses in one day is a great way to compare the aromas of both.

Other houses to contact about tours include , ,  and  鈥� all of which are headed up, notably, by women.

4. Get schooled in all things Champagne at the Pressoria museum

Housed in the former pressing room of Champagne Pommery, is an interactive museum that offers an accessible introduction to the Champagne-making process from start to finish. What鈥檚 more, you鈥檒l learn while engaging all five senses, including smelling different grape varieties, blending your own Champagne using touch screens and ending the experience with a compare/contrast Champagne tasting.

5. Pair your bubbles with local specialities

Although the main tasting experience in A每 is Champagne quaffing, the town also boasts a few a other culinary specialities. (Unsurprisingly, they all pair well with a glass of bubbly.) Local cheeses to look out for include creamy Langres, velvety Vignotte, silky Cendr茅 de Champagne and Brie de Meaux.

On the sweeter side, Biscuits roses de Reims are very dry biscuits that have historically been served with a glass of Champagne. The idea is to dip them in the wine itself before eating them 鈥� though today this isn鈥檛 necessarily expected. Be warned: the texture isn鈥檛 for everyone.

If you鈥檝e had your fill of bubbles, order a glass of Ratafia Champenois instead. This liqueur is made with the same grapes as Champagne and fortified with grape brandy to make a sweet, easy-to-drink aperitif.