The former family home of a wine merchant turned lavishly plush B&B, discover a stay with sparkle at Le 25bis by Leclerc Briant, says editor Sophie Ritchie
A visit to France’s Champagne region is somewhat of a modern mecca for a contemporary bon vivant – especially when it comes to Épernay, the charming town home to the famed Avenue de Champagne.
Sitting on this elite street awaits Le 25bis by Leclerc Briant, a petite and intimate guesthouse with a handful of five boutique rooms.
Once the family home of a successful wine merchant, this 18th century building was tastefully restored to its former glory by the award-winning Leclerc Briant Champagne house.
A house dedicated to delivering only the best, with an emphasis on precision and finesse in every sip, this same passion has been applied to the image and style awaiting within these 18th century brick walls.
Now a modern masterpiece, book a room to explore its plethora of hedonistic art, heritage and of course, Champagne (the front room now consists of a gleaming wine shop stocked with Leclerc Briant’s entire range of bottles).
The Room
The cluster of five rooms at Le 25bis are a comfortable mingling of archaic structure and modern elegance. I stay in Room N°3, a grand albeit creaky space furnished with buttery yellow armchairs, elongated bookshelves filled with French novels and suave decor for days.
A double bedroom with 47 carefully designed metres to explore, this luxury abode offers a home from home with views overlooking the terrace and tranquil gardens.
The bathroom is a beauty queen’s dream – composed of stunning grey diamond-patterned tiles, a standing bath, walk-in rain shower and pampering Hermes toiletries.
Complete with enveloping robes and slippers, it’s difficult to leave this cozy world of comfort behind – even with so much to explore in Épernay and vineyards beyond.
As always, it all boils down to the most delicate of details. A mini fridge opens to reveal an array of drinks (a bottle of Leclerc Briant Champagne is centre stage, of course) whilst there’s also a Lavazza coffee machine and zippy wi-fi to enjoy.
Each of the five rooms are entirely individual, offering their residents an intimate and inviting space. Thanks to this coveted privacy, you’re guaranteed a stay of seclusion in comparison to a bigger hotel – although be prepared to hear every footstep above your head, as the team chose to retain the original 18th century floorboards!
The Dining
There’s no designated restaurant at Le 25bis but breakfast is still worth getting out of the cloud-like beds for.
Served downstairs in a room filled with ornate gold chandeliers, hanging light fixtures and an exquisite wall mural portraying scenes of palm tree paradise, plenty of continental delights await to be nibbled.
Take a seat at one of the table cloth-clad tables and sample fresh juices, freshly-cooked eggs, cereals, delicately-sliced meats and of course, buttery croissants. There’s also Champagne on ice for those that prefer something stronger than coffee to start their day.
Things to try
1 Take a stroll along the famed Avenue de Champagne for almost 1km of Champagne house after Champagne house. On both sides of the street, drink in the architecture of the impressive gated buildings and imagine the bubbles awaiting within.
2 Book a Biologique Recherche spa treatment at the nearby Royal Champagne Hotel & Spa, where the interiors are equally as jaw-dropping as the terrace views surrounding it.
3 A visit to this family house would be in vain without a visit to the nearby Leclerc Briant winery. Book a private tour of this hill-perched building and learn more about the unique processes taking place at this boundary-pushing wine business – from a 24-carat gold barrel to the Abyss collection, a Champagne aged for 15 months in a bottle 60 emtres under the Atlantic ocean.
The Wordrobe Verdict
Small but sophisticated, Le 25bis by Leclerc Briant is perfect for a gourmet guest house experience.
With excellent service, luxury abodes and award-winning Champagne at the touch of your fingertips, this petite getaway makes an excellent base for a luxury Épernay escapade.
Make it happen
Where: 25 bis Avenue de Champagne, 51200 Épernay, France
How: Please phone +33 3 26 56 40 70 or click here to make a booking.
Wallet: Rooms from £174 per night.
Nearest airport: Fly via Charles de Gaulle International Airport or Paris CDG.
Ready to start the adventure?
Le 25bis by Leclerc Briant is bookable via visitlachampagne.travel along with a variety of must-try experiences in Champagne.
Words by Sophie Ritchie, editor.
