History
Épernay, the land of bubbles
Formerly known as Rue du Commerce, the Avenue de Champagne is a gem listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Imagine strolling along this prestigious Avenue, where time seems to stand still. Beneath your feet, an underground world stretches endlessly. More than 110 kilometers of galleries, carved into the chalk, invite you on an initiatory journey to the heart of Champagne. Each bottle - nearly 200 million - like buried treasure , holds the very essence of our terroir. Let yourself be guided through these silent labyrinths, where time flows to the rhythm of gently escaping bubbles.
In 1881, Eugène Mercier, the renowned founder of Champagne Mercier, built this residence on the most prestigious avenue in Épernay. This architectural gem remained in the family until 1998. That year, my wife, Élodie, acquired the property at 71-73 Avenue de Champagne. A silent witness to history, this mansion has seen both the splendor of Épernay’s high-society receptions and the dark hours of the Resistance, when its cellars sheltered wounded American soldiers and British doctors, while Colonel Servagnat and his wife resided here. Later, it became a gathering place for the guides of the Mercier tourist site.
After months of renovations, I inaugurated a Champagne bar, “Bulles & Bonheur” (Bubbles & Happiness), on July 1, 2017. Just ten days later, the birth of my daughter, Rose, was like an extra bubble of joy, making this moment even more perfect.
Since then, this residence has become a true meeting place, where people from all over the world come together, united by their love of Champagne. Conviviality and friendship, two values dear to my former life as a rugby player, bring this place to life at the top of the Avenue de Champagne, ensuring happiness for all who visit!
