The brand’s exclusive home in Champagne is the ultimate in French luxury.

8 July 2022

Experience the Exclusivity of Château de Saran

There’s exclusivity, and then there’s Château de Saran, the privately-owned stately home built as a hunting lodge in 1801 by Jean-Rémy Moët, the grandson of the Moët & Chandon’s founder. A stay here isn’t simply bought; rooms are reserved for friends of the Champagne house, and notable personalities such as Roger Federer, Kate Moss, and Jay-Z have all recently laid their heads here, with the Queen Mother being a former guest.

Unforgettable Arrival in Champagne

Imagine my delightful surprise upon receiving an invitation to stay the night at this impeccable property, located in Chouilly in the Champagne region. Sipping champagne in the summer sun isn’t a usual Wednesday afternoon activity, but as we arrived at Moët’s orangery and were handed a bottle of mini Moët to sip, my immediate feeling was that 24 hours in Champagne would never be enough.

I was indeed correct about that. As Alfred, Lord Tennyson wisely said, “It’s better to have loved and lost than never to have loved at all.” It truly is love at first sight at Château de Saran. There are just 12 individually designed suites on the property, crafted by art historian Yves de Marseille, each reflecting a unique theme. I experienced the Oriental suite, a luxurious blue-and-white tiled room, featuring a bathtub that overlooks the Marne Valley. Other guests enjoyed the English suite adorned with wisteria-clad wallpaper and the Louis XIV suite, which boasts faux marble walls. The breakfast room exudes classic French luxury, while the expansive gardens stretch into the distance, creating an uninterrupted sea of green.

Discovering the Moët & Chandon Experience

Visiting the château involves more than just admiring the views while sipping champagne—although there is certainly ample opportunity to do just that. Guests embark on a full Moët & Chandon experience, including a tour of the brand’s 28km stretch of cellars built in 1743, where bottles are stored in every available corner, marked with special codes by the winemakers. Additionally, guests venture to the vines to learn about the brand’s industry-leading sustainability credentials, highlighted by a commitment to preserving the Champagne region’s land and becoming entirely herbicide-free. Even amateurs, like myself, are given the chance to learn how to open and serve champagne correctly (twist the bottle, not the cork). As daylight fades, the iconic cork-shaped hot air balloon is inflated, offering guests the opportunity to float above the château and see Champagne from a unique perspective.

A Unique Experience Awaits

A trip to Château de Saran is truly a money-can’t-buy experience. While a visit to Champagne may not be on everyone’s radar, the brand’s newest project—a stunning champagne bar at Harrods—is much more accessible. This venue serves Moët & Chandon champagne by the glass, bottle, or Magnum, including offerings from the illustrious Grand Vintage Collection. This new project represents the culmination of years of work and demonstrates Moët’s commitment to creating special experiences, albeit closer to home. Allegedly, one bottle of Moët & Chandon champagne is opened every second around the globe; thus, it certainly wouldn’t hurt to be the next one to partake in this remarkable experience.