Epernay's gare SNCF is a five-minute walk north of place de la République, down rue Jean Moët. The gare routière is on the corner of rues Dr-Verron and Dr-Rousseau one block northeast from place de la République. The information-packed tourist office is at 7 av de Champagne (Easter to mid-Oct Mon–Sat 9.30am–12.30pm & 1.30–7pm, Sun 11am–4pm; mid-Oct to Easter Mon–Sat 9.30am–12.30pm & 1.30–5.30pm; tel 03.26.53.33.00). If you feel like roaming around the vineyards (vignobles), you could rent a mountain bike (VTT) from Royer Cycles, 10 place Hugues-Plomb (Tues–Sat 9am–noon & 2–7pm; tel 03.26.55.29.61), not far from place de la République at the other end of rue Général-Leclerc.The cheapest hotels in Epernay are St-Pierre, 1 rue Jeanne-d'Arc (tel 03.26.54.40.80, fax 03.26.57.88.68; under €30), in a quiet street away from the centre, and Le Chapon Fin, 2 place Mendès-France (tel 03.26.55.40.03; €30–40), by the train station. More comfortable rooms are to be had at the excellent-value Les Berceaux, at 13 rue des Berceaux (tel 03.26.55.28.84, [email protected]; €55–70), which also has one of the best restaurants in town; or failing that the chain-run Hôtel de Champagne, 30 rue E.-Mercier (tel 03.26.53.10.60, fax 03.26.51.94.63; €70–85). Classiest of all is the elegant Clos Raymi, 3 rue Joseph de Venoge (tel 03.26.51.00.58, [email protected]; €125–150), in a beautiful red-brick house once belonging to the Chandon family. At the opposite end of the scale, the Foyer des Jeunes Travailleurs hostel, within easy walking distance of the station at 2 rue Pupin (tel 03.26.51.62.51; Mon–Fri 9am–8pm, Sat 10am–2pm; 16–30s only; €11), has dorm-style accommodation and a cheap cafeteria. The local campsite is 1.5km to the north on route de Cumières in the Parc des Sports, on the south bank of the Marne (tel 03.26.55.32.14; closed Oct–Feb).
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