The Property
Domaine Les Crayères is a five-star château hotel on Boulevard Henry Vasnier in Reims, the unofficial capital of Champagne. The property dates to 1904, when it was built as a private mansion in classical French style — all symmetry, tall windows, and the kind of proportions that make you stand up a little straighter when you walk through the door. It sits within a seven-hectare private park, which gives it a country-estate feel despite being within city limits.
This is the grand dame of Champagne hotels. The name “Crayères” refers to the chalk cellars (crayères) that honeycomb the ground beneath Reims — the same caves where Champagne houses age their wines. It’s now run by the Gardinier family and operates as part of Relais & Châteaux.
The Wine Connection
You’re in the heart of Champagne wine country, and the major houses are practically neighbors. Veuve Clicquot, Taittinger, Ruinart, Pommery, and others all have their headquarters and cellars in Reims, many within walking distance or a short drive. The Montagne de Reims, one of Champagne’s premier growing areas, begins just south of the city.
Les Crayères has deep connections with the Champagne industry — many of the houses use it for private dinners and events, and the wine list is, as you’d expect, one of the most comprehensive Champagne collections you’ll find anywhere. The hotel can arrange visits to both the grand marques and smaller grower-producers in the surrounding villages.
What to Expect
There are 20 rooms and suites split between the main château and a separate cottage building. Categories range from Superior through Deluxe, Junior Suite, Prestige, and the top-tier Imperial rooms. The décor is classical French — think period furniture, generous proportions, fine fabrics, and the kind of attention to detail that justifies the five stars. Every room is different, which gives the place personality that cookie-cutter luxury hotels lack.
Dining is a major draw. Le Parc, the two-Michelin-starred restaurant, is led by chef Christophe Moret, who previously headed the kitchens at Alain Ducasse’s three-starred Plaza Athénée and the Shangri-La’s L’Abeille. His cooking is rooted in French haute cuisine tradition — technically precise, ingredient-driven, and built to pair with Champagne. For something more relaxed, the Brasserie Le Jardin offers casual dining in a garden setting, and Bar La Rotonde handles the aperitif hour with appropriate gravity.
The honest assessment: Les Crayères is expensive, and it knows it. Rates start at around €700 for two people including dinner and breakfast, and climb steeply from there. The classical style will feel dated to travelers who prefer minimalist design. And while the park is beautiful, the hotel doesn’t have a pool or extensive spa facilities — it’s fundamentally about food, wine, and a certain way of doing things that prioritizes tradition over trendiness.
Practical Details
Rates start from approximately €350-500 per night for a Superior room, with Prestige and Imperial rooms running €600-1,000+. Dinner at Le Parc is an event — budget €200+ per person with Champagne pairings. The Brasserie is more accessible.
The hotel is at 64 Boulevard Henry Vasnier, 51100 Reims. Phone: +33 3 26 24 90 00. Reims is 45 minutes from Paris by TGV, making it feasible as a day trip, though spending at least two nights is far more rewarding. A car is useful for visiting villages like Ay, Bouzy, and the Côte des Blancs south of Épernay, but not essential for the city itself.
This is the definitive luxury base for a Champagne wine tour. Two or three nights gives you time to visit the major houses in Reims, explore Épernay and the Avenue de Champagne, and drive through the vineyards of the Montagne de Reims and Côte des Blancs.