Emily in Paris has nothing on Jonathan in Champagne. In mid-May, I had the privilege of traveling from New York City to Champagne, France, the historic European province known for producing the deliciously sparkling, celebratory wine popped on special occasions the world over. For Champagne to be Champagne, it must be from Champagne, and what better way to learn about Champagne than from the people of Champagne? As a person who very much enjoys an alcoholic beverage (or two, or three…), a couple of days spent drinking and dining in the region was heaven—and I picked up a few travel tips along the way so you, too, can recreate this fantasy of a trip.
In case you didn’t know, Uber—yes, the ride-shape app used to safely get you from point A to point B when driving isn’t an option—offers a “Go Anywhere” experience that’s basically a travel agent at your fingertips. The company has hosted previous excursions in Cappadocia, Turkey; Lapland, Finland; and Mykonos, Greece. Beginning June 1, for just €200, anyone with access to Uber Reserve can say yes to a one-day excursion from Paris to France’s Champagne countryside for a pre-scheduled itinerary of experiences that’ll make you feel like you’re on a honeymoon, even if it’s really just you and up to four of your best friends.
Available to book 75 days to 24 hours in advance for Fridays or Saturdays beginning June 7 to August 17, the bubbly experience is luxurious, one-of-a-kind, and (surprisingly) affordable. Below is everything you need to know about booking your own Uber Bubbles excursion.
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How to Book Uber Bubbles
Beginning June 1, Uber users in Paris will be able to book the Uber Bubbles experience—for a €200 flat fee—the same way you’d go about booking a car to get yourself (or a loved one) home. In Paris for the Olympics? Or touring the City of Light for an idyllic summer getaway? Simply follow these steps to get to Champagne, look for an Uber Bubbles-branded Tesla with a French, lovely driver awaiting, and prepare to get your sip on. Oh, and the best part? Up to four travelers can join your party, so there is no need to toast solo.
As Uber suggests:
- “Download the Uber app on your smartphone and open the app.
- Select the ‘Uber Bubbles’ icon from the home screen.
- Read about Uber Bubbles and then choose one of the available dates listed.
- Enter your pickup and dropoff locations.
- Make sure everything looks right and click ‘Reserve Uber Bubbles’
- Check your email to ensure you received a confirmation email.
- Within the confirmation email, click on the Google form and respond to each question to ensure the maisons are ready for your reservation.
- Enjoy responsibly!”
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The Uber Bubbles Itinerary
A visit to Champagne, France, is a once-in-a-lifetime experience, and Uber has hooked it up with the unforgettable. As part of the €200 event, your one-day trip will include a Champagne tasting and lunch at Perrier-Jouët’s Cellier Belle Époque in Épernay, followed by a visit to the G.H. Mumm cellars and a Cordon Rogue tasting in Reims (Épernay and Reims are in the Champagne region). The folks at both Perrier and Mumm will fill you in on the rich history of the region and both respective brands—trust me, it’s fascinating, especially once you’re several rounds of bubbly in.
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Ubber Bubbles Teslas
The Uber staff available for Uber Bubbles will predominantly speak English, in case you’re like me and only know how to say “bonjour!” and “au revoir!”
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Where to Stay in Champagne
While the Uber Bubbles experience is designed as a one-day, roundtrip adventure from Paris to Champagne and back, there’s no reason you can’t extend your visit to Champagne. I highly recommend catching R&R at Royal Champagne Hotel & Spa, a dreamy venue that’s earned Forbes‘s coveted five-star rating, plus a spot on Conde Nast Traveler’s top 10 French hotels of 2023. Listen, the place is swanky, and for at least ~€800 a night, I can assure you it’s well worth the investment.
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Royal Champagne Hotel & Spa
If I could turn back time, I’d pretend I were in The White Lotus and run amuck at this hotel. Mainly, I slept.
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The Champagne Countryside
Yes, French wine country looks like the set of a Nancy Meyers film. Yes, there are endless photo opps.
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Brasserie le Jardin
Should you spend a night or several in Champagne, dine at Brasserie le Jardin at the footsteps of Domaine Les Crayeres, a luxury hotel in Reims. Recreate this picture and tag me.
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Lunch at Perrier-Jouët’s Cellier Belle Époque
In addition to a tasting of three Perrier-Jouët’s cuvées, the midday stop here includes the following delish meal:
- Starter: marinated salmon, cucumber, and almond cream.
- Main course: local roasted chicken filet.
- Dessert: spring pavlova.
- Petit four: financier infused with honey from the garden.
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The G.H. Mumm Cellar
A tour through the Mumm cellar offers insight into the several-hundred-year-old tradition of making Champagne.
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I Love Champagne
As goofy as this photo is, learning about just how passionate the people of Champagne are about the product they collectively produce was inspiring. At Perrier-Jouët, I caught up on the intricacies of delicately bottling Champagne. Perrier’s cellar contains the oldest two Perrier Champagne bottles on Earth, which date back to 1825.
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Perrier-Jouët Bottles
2004 was a particularly good year for Champagne makers, hence why you’ll often see Perrier-Jouët Belle Epoque 2004 at luxury restaurants across the globe. While Perrier’s cellars are not open to the public, tasting the three Perrier-Jouët’s cuvées included in the Uber Bubbles experience will make you feel like a royal.