The Château de Boursault combines a distinctive architectural history with a setting shaped by winegrowing. It overlooks the left bank of the Marne Valley; almost all the estate’s vines lie in the walled Clos around the Château. For planning your trip, Boursault therefore offers two distinct points of interest: the history of the château and visits focused on vineyards, cellars and tastings.
Château history in the Marne Valley
The Château de Boursault is a château in the Neo-Renaissance style. It was built on the ruins of a fortified castle that had belonged to the Barons de Boursault. In 1843, Madame Clicquot commissioned the architect Arveuf to build it. The fortified predecessor and the later château thus represent different periods in the history of the area. Its position above the left bank of the Marne Valley also gives the building a clear connection to the landscape.
Important for your visit: the Château itself is not open to visitors. However, a tour of its cellars can be booked. Before your trip, check the château’s access information and the availability of the cellar tour so you do not confuse these two options.
The Clos, vineyards and Champagne
Almost all the estate’s vines lie around the Château within a walled Clos. The winery, cellars and press are also located there. This brings together the growing of the grapes and the spaces where the Champagne is further processed and stored. The estate’s vineyard grows the three traditional Champagne grape varieties: Pinot Noir, Meunier and Chardonnay. Château de Boursault Champagne is made using an artisanal method that has been preserved for four generations.
Champagne Alain David & Fils, a family-run estate in Boursault that has been in operation for four generations, offers a different varietal profile. Meunier accounts for 67 percent, Pinot Noir for 16 percent and Chardonnay for 17 percent. Meunier is the largest share in this breakdown; Pinot Noir and Chardonnay each account for considerably less. These figures show the composition of this estate and add to the picture of the three grape varieties grown at the Château de Boursault.
Planning visits and tastings
A one-hour visit at Champagne Claude Michez includes tours of the vineyards and cellar, as well as a tasting of three cuvées. The experience brings several stops together in a visit with a clearly defined duration. Booking details may change; check availability before your trip.
The experience at the Clos de Boursault offers a different focus: it includes a guided tour of the modern press, winery and ageing cellars, as well as a guided walk through the vineyards. It ends with a tasting of three Le Gallais Champagne cuvées on the terrace of the Abbayes. Its glass veranda offers views across the entire Marne Valley. The experience can therefore be seen as combining winegrowing, cellar spaces and a tasting, while the visit at Champagne Claude Michez is specifically described as lasting one hour. For experiences at the Clos, check availability and visit arrangements before your trip.
The experiences differ in their format and in the stops they include. You can first decide which of them is your priority during your stay, then look for suitable hotels in Boursault.
Discover more destinations: Athis, Rieux, Passavant-en-Argonne, Cuchery, Damery, Loivre, Champaubert, Ay.
For the wider travel overview: Marne.
