Visit Champagne: 10 Years of UNESCO heritage and a story still evolving

July 4, 2025 marks the 10th anniversary of Champagne’s inscription as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, a major moment not only for the region, but for French cultural heritage as a whole.

To toast the occasion, The Champagne Bureau UK would like to take the opportunity to spotlight five reasons why now is a great time to visit Champagne

1. Mark a milestone: 10 years of UNESCO World heritage status

2025 marks 10 years since Champagne was inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and the region is marking this milestone with a series of exclusive events, cultural programs, and limited-time experiences. From special tours and exhibitions to heritage-themed tastings and open-air celebrations, this anniversary brings the region’s history and identity into the spotlight like never before.

The hillsides allude to the Champagne winegrowing landscape, the Houses are a representation of outstanding architecture and leadership, and the cellars, stretching more than 100km underground, tell a story of both craftsmanship and resilience. There is much to see, taste and learn.

2. Discover Champagne’s unique identity and craftsmanship

With the growing appetite for the sparkling wine category in general, it is a good time to understand what makes Champagne so unique. It’s not just a wine, but a living, working region with a distinct personality and philosophy. Its global prestige is built on a rare combination of geographic factors: a specific mix of chalky soils, cool climate, and gently rolling topography, paired with meticulous vineyard practices that can only be found here. Every step of production is governed by some of the strictest regulations in the wine world; from pruning methods to the time spent ageing in bottle, ensuring a standard of excellence that never wavers.

What also sets Champagne apart is the unity between growers and Houses. This structure, formalised in 1941 with the creation of the Comité Champagne, remains at the heart of the region’s success; today, Champagne houses ship 2/3 of the total volume and work closely with thousands of independent growers who manage 90% of the vineyards. That sense of shared identity is what gives Champagne its coherence, integrity, and resilience.

3. Experience one-of-a-kind cultural events07

The Champagne region is alive with cultural events throughout the year. Highlights in the anniversary month include a festive banquet on 14 July on the iconic Avenue de Champagne in Epernay, featuring the traditional white picnic, a celebratory toast marking the anniversary of the nomination, a pop-up shop with exclusive 10th anniversary souvenirs of the Champagne Hillsides, Houses and Cellars – World Heritage, and a grand fireworks display to close the evening. On July 19, meet at the Parc de Champagne, in Reims, for the very popular picnic concert of the Flâneries Musicales – which this year will see guests raise a collective toast, sing a birthday song, and offer a commemorative wire hood plaque for the 15,000 to attend to honour the UNESCO anniversary.

Later in the year, the annual Habits de Lumière in Épernay, a magical December celebration with illuminated buildings, gourmet food, and music. This year, these events are expected to be even more vibrant, with added programming to mark the UNESCO anniversary.

Many smaller towns and grower Champagne producers will also host open houses and intimate gatherings that give visitors a chance to experience the region’s hospitality and heritage firsthand.

In addition, the Museum of Archaeology and Champagne Wine in Épernay, created by the City of Épernay, stands as one of the first legacies of the UNESCO nomination. It led to the full restoration of the historic Château Perrier, now a key centre for exploring the region’s cultural and artistic heritage. As a symbolic site of the Champagne hillsides, Houses and cellars, and a key partner of the mission, to honour the UNESCO inscription anniversary, it will host an exhibition from October 2025 to March 2026 focused on Champagne and its renowned cultural heritage.

4. Taste recent vintages

The Champagne region has experienced several strong harvests in recent years. While vintage Champagne is not released immediately, some of these wines will begin to appear in tastings and early releases. Visitors can take advantage of exclusive cellar tours, previews of newly disgorged bottles, and vertical tastings that highlight how recent vintages compare with older ones. It’s an exciting moment for Champagne enthusiasts eager to taste the future.

5. Witness a region committed to the future

While steeped in tradition, Champagne is leading the way on sustainability. As the first wine region to assess its carbon footprint back in 2003, the region has cut its carbon footprint per bottle by 20%, recycles 100% of its production by-products, and has certified nearly 70% of its vineyards’ surfaces. The Comité Champagne is committed to reaching net zero by 2050, supported by bold initiatives such as the QANOPÉE insect-proof greenhouse and the launch of a new R&D hub in Épernay. Visitors this year can see how the region is not just preserving its heritage but actively innovating to protect it for generations to come, and to adapt to challenges such as climate change.