Let’s get into places to propose in France that’s not in front of the Eiffel Tower. Don’t get me wrong – yes, Paris is lovely! – but there is so much more to France and French culture than Paris. 

Just 90 minutes outside the city to the east is the Champagne region. It’s famous for (you guessed it) Champagne, the grapes that make it and the cellars that store it!

This region is a much quieter, more unique setting to propose to your partner and only a day trip away from Paris.

WHY IS CHAMPAGNE A GREAT PLACE TO PROPOSE?

Proposing in Champagne comes without the crowds, noise and distractions of a big international city. If you are searching for more low key places to propose in France, Champagne is an ideal alternative to Paris.

The region is only a 90 minute drive from Paris, and you can even reach Champagne by train (Reims + Epernay are the major Champagne towns and both have local train stations). It’s the perfect distance for a day trip out of Paris. Your partner won’t suspect a thing!

The symbolism of Champagne is also perfect for an engagement. The elegance, refinement and celebration associated with French Champagne go hand in hand with a surprise engagement. Imagine keeping the bottle and cork from your vineyard proposal as a memento and symbol of the occasion. It’s honestly perfect.

Proposal logistics: how to organize a secret proposal in Champagne

The hardest part of proposing is getting your partner photo-ready without giving it away. If your partner is the sort of person who would really want to be dressed and done up for the photos, then you need to factor that into your proposal scenario.

These are my top tips ways to make sure your partner is photo-ready and completely oblivious:

1. Take charge of the vacation planning early on. If you become very insistent on one particular secret event, your partner will probably get suspicious.
2. Say you’ve booked tickets to a very classy vineyard, Reims Opera performance, upscale cocktail bar or other event that day which requires a dress code.
3. Work closely with your photographer to determine location and timing. As a local, they’ll know where to go and when for the best experience.
4. Rent a car to get to the area. Much of the region is rural and spread out, and a car will make you very flexible.

Places to propose in France: top 10 locations in the Champagne region

-Outdoor vineyard locations (by far the most popular)

-Hotel’s & Chateau’s

-Wineries (aka Champagne Houses)

Best Champagne Vineyards and Outdoor locations to Propose in France

1. HAUTVILLERS TOWN + VIEWPOINT (DOM PERIGNON’S HOMETOWN)

Best views, quaint town and picnic location

This remote and less well-known spot overlooks Champagne vineyards and hillsides. The village itself is very pretty and quaint, but it’s also fairly private and quiet. It’s perfect for sunset picnics with great views. It was also the hometown of Dom Perignon himself and you can actually visit his grave inside the Hautvillers Abbey. Smaller artisanal champagne houses are nearby and you can visit during the daytime.

Pros: views, privacy, free

Cons: need a car, would be difficult to organise a surprise picnic without help from a photographer or planner

2. MOULIN DE VERZENAY (THE VERZENAY WINDMILL)

Best sunset spot (Rachel’s personal favourite)

The old windmill belonging to the Mumm Champagne House, provides an elevated viewpoint with stunning panoramic views of the champagne vineyards. It’s a very quiet and private place, especially in the evenings, making it ideal for sunsets. During the day, you can visit the Phare de Verzenay which is just in the next village across for a wine tour.

Pros: quiet, private, free

Cons: need a car, would be difficult to organise a surprise picnic without help from a photographer or planner

3. PHARE DE VERZENAY (THE VERZENAY LIGHTHOUSE)

Best vineyard portrait location

This is an old lighthouse building built as a publicity stunt by Joseph Goulet champagne house in 1909 but is now owned by the village itself. It’s open every day in the high season (April-September), and on select days during the winter. DU 1ER OCTOBRE AU 31 MARS

I recommend visiting in the late afternoon closer to sunset and setting up a picnic on the grounds. You can book a tour of the Phare with champagne tasting at the end so as to create an element of surprise. The stunning views of the Champagne vineyards are the perfect spot to end the tour and propose.

Pros: fairly private, unique architecture, not many visitors at once. Available for full privatisation!

Cons: a car is required to get there

4. PRESSORIA CHAMPAGNE MUSEUM

OUTDOOR TERRACE – Best for those who love cultural experiences

For couples who love museums and immersing themselves in local culture and history, the Pressoria museum is a great place to spend a few hours before proposing. Although not the most beautiful of the places to propose in France, it’s meaningful. You can organise a private setup on their terrace as well to avoid some of the tourist crowds around.

Pros: 10 minutes drive from Epernay, beautiful vineyard views, interactive museum experience with tasting room

Cons: not super scenic, can be busy

5. MOUNT BERNON – EPERNAY

Best for outdoorsy couples who love nature walks and privacy

This place is just MADE for an engagement shoot, with a winding wooden walkway you could line with petals and candles leading the way to your proposal spot. It’s to go early morning for the first light or late in the afternoon after midday heat.

Pros: views, scenery, privacy, free

Cons: need a car, would be difficult to organise a surprise picnic without help from a photographer or planner

Best Luxury Hotels and Chateaux to Propose at

6. CHATEAU DE SACY

Best for a romantic weekend with everything in one place

This Chateau has everything in one place if you want a romantic weekend or overnight trip out of Paris. You can book one of the guest rooms and treat yourselves to the incredible (and reasonably priced) food at the restaurant and bar. With a terrace and plenty of vineyards nearby, you can choose one or many places for photos.

Pros: price, guest rooms, incredible restaurant, bar, panoramic views from the terrace and plenty of nearby vineyards

Cons: not private, requires a car rental or taxi to get there (Ubers are very scarce in the region)

7. ROYAL CHAMPAGNE HOTEL + SPA

Best customer service and location for autumn dates

The helpful staff at this Champagne house will go the extra mile to help you set up your proposal. It’s an exquisite and luxurious location suited for those who love a bit of pampering

With stunning panoramic views from the terrace. With easy access to nearby vineyards, it would be easy to set up a picnic complete with chilled champagne among the vines. You can spoil your partner further by taking advantage of the spa.

I recommend this location in late September through November for the changing fall colors around the vineyards.

Pros: Customer service, spa and hotel

Cons: Not possible to have a fully privatised proposal on property, however, there is a vineyard viewing platform just below that has a beautiful secluded area. Reach out for more details.

8. DOMAINE DU CHALET

Best kept local secret

This luxury domaine is perfect for an elegant overnight stay. You can also visit during open hours, but staying the night here gives you more access. There are only a few rooms, making it cosy, luxurious and secluded. It’s also very close to many area vineyards. Not even many locals know it exists, and it’s therefore one of my favorite places to propose in France!

Pros: very secluded; beautiful interiors, terrace and gardens for your proposal. 

Cons: slightly unhelpful staff; they won’t help you go the extra mile to help organize a proposal. You’ll need a planner or photographer to help you set up the surprise.

3. Best Wineries in Champagne to Propose at

9. POMMERY WINERY, REIMS

The French architecture makes this location very unique for a shoot, and there’s also a cool modern art exhibition down in the cellars (caves). You can propose down in the caves themselves (there are more secluded and private areas available for you to propose, just make sure you book onto a private tour not a public one). Equally you may use one of their private salons on the property which can be reserved for a proposal set-up. Your photographer can arrive early to set up flowers, candles, music – whatever you want! It’s the perfect way to end a tour and completely catch your partner off guard.

PROS: close to Reims city centre, provides a fun activity/decoy idea to build up to your proposal surprise, accessible by foot/taxi; stunning French architecture and grounds; private salons; modern art exhibitions. 

CONS: busy and non-private if you don’t book a private tour.

10. RUINART WINERY, REIMS

Most prestigious winery to propose at in Champagne 

As for Ruinart, the options are very similar to Pommery in that you can propose down in the caves themselves (just make sure you book onto a private tour not a public one). Proposals here take place in private cave at the end of the standard tour and your photographer can arrive early to set up flowers, candles, music – whatever you want! It’s the perfect and unsuspecting way to end a tour and will completely catch your partner off guard. Check out this video to see an example of a setup we did!

PROS: close to Reims city centre, iconic brand to associate with for your proposal, provides a fun activity/decoy idea to build up to your proposal surprise, accessible by foot/taxi; stunning French architecture and grounds; private salons; modern art exhibitions. 

CONS: busy and non-private if you don’t book a private tour. The only location to propose at Ruinart is down in

11. MOET & CHANDON WINERY, EPERNAY

Most brand recognition of all the places to propose in France 

The Champagne House located in Epernay is great for real champagne lovers. If you want to hit up one of the biggest and most exclusive Champagne houses in the area, this is it.

Please note this house fully closes over the winter period so please check the website for more information before planning your proposal.

Follow updates here.

Pros: well-known and luxurious wine house. Private tours can be arranged for both Moet and Dom Perignon (they share the same premises) and its location on the Avenue de Champagne provides many more places to explore and celebrate following the proposal.

Cons: not very scenic. There are no vineyards in close proximity as it’s in the centre of Epernay. You would likely propose in the caves themselves or in one of the private salons, gardens or orangerie. It can be difficult to gain access to these areas (they can be a little elitist at Moet), but luckily for you I have a personal contact at Moet who runs the events department. Working with me means I can help get you in!

Outfit ideas for a Champagne engagement shoot

You don’t have to overthink your outfits too much. The shoot should mainly focus on your emotions and excitement as a couple. As a rule, stick to non-distracting neutral colours (white, beige, black, pale blue, olive green) on the smart casual end rather than super casual or super formal.

Other tips:

• Avoid busy patterns or distracting logos
• Solid colors are ideal
• Mix patterns and layers
• Make sure both your nails are clean and hands are moisturized
• Keeping a lint roller nearby is also handy
• Sundresses for women are always a win
• Chinos and a button up for men are always a win
• Don’t wear a hat the day of

Final thoughts: hire a Champagne Wedding Photographer to help you plan your surprise proposal

When you consider logistics, it’s invaluable having a local who can help you secretly put things together. Each of these places to propose in France has logistical hurdles. You need someone who is on location to install or set up the scene, so you don’t have to lift a finger, thereby raising suspicion. 

It’s also super important to find a photographer who speaks fluent French and English. They can help you reach out to the champagne houses about photography permission. The champagne houses all have their own rules and regulations regarding photography, and you don’t want any surprises the day of.

A local photographer can also coordinate with other vendors (florist, cake maker, Champagne house etc) so that everything comes together perfectly for the big moment.

If you’re looking for all the above and someone who is dedicated to making your dream proposal reality – reach out. ​