How to Visit the Phare de Verzenay, Champagne
Last Updated on 16th March 2023 by Sophie Nadeau
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In a land where Champagne Houses number in their hundreds and seas of vineyards can be spied in every direction, some entrepreneurial vintners have gone above and beyond so as to attract clientele to their Champagne Houses. One such example of this is the Phare de Verzenay. Here’s a history of the Verzenay Lighthouse, as well as how to visit for yourself.
What is the Verzenay Lighthouse?
The Phare de Verzenay is a lighthouse that does not overlook the sea, but instead overlooks an ocean of vines. Perched atop of a hill overlooking the town of Verzenay the lighthouse was created as a giant advertisement and has since become a museum.
A history of the Phare de Verzenay
The lighthouse was constructed in 1909 by the wine producer and merchant Joseph Goulet. The main goal of the lighthouse was to act as a way of drawing in crowds who became intrigued.
The idea was that, once they were on site, it would be easier to sell them the Champagne and all of its associated products. In time, the site became one of the most sought after attractions to visit in Champagne.
The edifice was one of the first reinforced concrete structures in the region. At night, a beam from the lantern turned, lighting up the hills of the region and reaching as far away as the city of Reims (one of the biggest cities in what is now the Grand-Est).
At the base of the building, a smaller building was constructed to house a restaurant and theatre. Victim of its own success, the site soon became overwhelmed with visitors and an additional guinguette (open-air café) was created in the complex.
Though the easiest way to get to the Phare de Verzenay is now by car, the town of Verzenay was once served by the Compagnie des Chemins de Fer de la Banlieue Rémoise and a train station which is no longer in existence.
Unfortunately, the Second World War was unkind to such structures and the Phare ended up in ruin (during the war the lighthouse was used as an observation post). What followed was several decades of abandonment before the town of Verzenay decided to purchase the structure.
In 1987, the tower was purchased before the Vesle Montagne de Reims community took over the structure in 1994. On the 3rd October 1999 the lighthouse was reopened to the public for the first time in over half a century, this time as an ecomuseum of the Vine.
How to visit the Phare de Verzenay
The lighthouse stands at a height of 25 metres and once had the name ‘Joseph Goulet’ painted in large letters across its six façades. Today, this is no longer the case, though the lighthouse can still be spied from all across the Champenoise countryside.
One of the top things to do when visiting the lighthouse today is to climb the 101 steps to reach the top of the lighthouse, where you’ll be rewarded with a breathtaking 360 degree view of the Champagne countryside.
The museum also offers guided tours of around an hour and a half which give detailed explanations about the history of the Champagne region, as well as its eponymous sparkling wine. At the end of the visit, there’s the opportunity to sample Champagne
The museum is open from 10:30 AM to 5 PM from Monday through to Saturday and is closed on Sundays. You can admire the lighthouse from up close even when it’s closed.
If you head to the side of the lighthouse facing the windmill of Verzenay, you’ll be rewarded by a gorgeous free view of the town of Verzenay, one of the most picturesque towns in Champagne, as well as the Champagne vines surrounding it. Nearby, the Faux de Verzy enchanted forest is a must-see for all nature lovers.
