Pommery Cellar Tour — Reims Brut Style & Contemporary Art Cellars

Louise Pommery (Veuve Pommery) commercialised dry-style brut Champagne in 1874 — the Nature 1874 vintage. Before her, most Champagne was sweet (sec, demi-sec). She targeted the British market, which preferred drier wines, and the brut style she pioneered now dominates global Champagne sales (90%+ of bottles sold are brut). For how Pommery compares to the other featured grandes Maisons by traveller profile, see our grandes marques decision guide.

Since 2003, Pommery has hosted the annual 'Expérience Pommery' — a rotating contemporary art exhibition installed throughout the 18 km of crayères. Past exhibitors include Daniel Buren, Yoko Ono, Anish Kapoor, JR. The art sits alongside the riddling racks; the contrast between centuries-old chalk pits and contemporary installation is the point.

The Pommery crayères descend 18 m below street level — the standard for Reims crayères (Veuve Clicquot is also 18 m; Ruinart is the outlier at 38 m). 116 steps down (and back up). Originally Gallo-Roman chalk quarries (1st–4th c. AD), repurposed in 1868 when Madame Pommery bought 120 chambers.

Yes — the above-ground Domaine Pommery is itself a heritage building, commissioned by Madame Pommery in 1868–1878 in Scottish-Elizabethan style. The reception, tasting salon, and boutique are all in the château. It is included in every Pommery cellar tour at no extra cost; allow 20 min for the architecture and grounds.

5 Place du Général-Gouraud, 51100 Reims — about 10 min by taxi from Reims-Centre station or 15 min on foot. The entrance is through the château gates; visitor parking is on Place du Général-Gouraud.

Brut Royal is Pommery's non-vintage flagship — the modern descendant of Madame Pommery's 1874 brut, 80% Chardonnay/Pinot Noir blend, 12+ months on lees. POP is the 200ml mini-bottle range (introduced 2002, the first single-serving Champagne) — same Brut Royal wine, party/event format. Both tasted on standard cellar tours.

Yes — Pommery's own website sells direct cellar visits ($45–$80 per person, no lunch, no transport). For first-time visitors with a Paris base, the bundled tour ($290) is better value: it adds the transport, vigneron lunch, and a second visit. Direct booking only makes sense if you're already in Reims with a car.

Rotates annually — typically announced in March each year for the May–November season. Recent years have featured large-scale sculpture and light installations. Check the Pommery website ('Expérience Pommery') for current programming; the installation does not affect the cellar tour price.

Partially — the above-ground château, tasting salon and boutique are accessible. The crayères themselves require descending and ascending 116 chalk steps (no elevator), so the underground portion is not wheelchair-accessible. Visitors with mobility constraints can tour the château and tasting salon only.

10–12 °C year round — constant regardless of season. Bring a fleece or jacket. The descent is 18 m of chalk steps and the cellar walk is ~45 min underground. Closed-toe shoes essential — floors are uneven chalk.