Pommery: The Widow's Art Cathedral

How to Complete

4 steps curated by Wine Memories

1. ⛰️ 1

   Count the 116 Steps

   adventure $$

   116 stone steps spiral 30 meters down into the earth at the main entrance (5 Place du Général Gouraud, Reims) — the height of a 10-story building descending into Louise Pommery's underground empire. The widow built this dramatic staircase to connect 18km of galleries. Book at pommery.com with tours every 30 minutes (€30 standard, €60 prestige) and start counting at the top for the full effect.

   🔄 BACKUP: There's an elevator if stairs are difficult - but you lose the dramatic descent.

   🍷 Log Memory
2. ⛰️ 2

   Find the Widow's Art Collection

   adventure Free

   Since 2002, Pommery has commissioned contemporary artists to create permanent installations throughout the cellars — neon sculptures by Yoko Ono, massive chalk carvings, modern art in 2000-year-old Roman galleries. The art is NOT subtle in these 10°C, 90% humidity caves. Ask your guide: "Which installation is the most controversial?" Each artist created work specifically for this unique underground environment.

   🔄 BACKUP: Exterior sculptures visible without tour.

   🍷 Log Memory
3. 📜 3

   Discover the Grande Foudre

   history Free

   A foudre holding 100,000 liters — 133,333 bottles — sits in the deepest gallery as one of the largest wine barrels ever made. Louise Pommery commissioned this Grande Foudre to prove she could outdo any man. Walk completely around it (the scale is impossible to photograph) and ask: "Is this still used?" The answer reveals champagne's evolution from barrels to bottles.

   🔄 BACKUP: If closed for restoration, ask to see the "cathedral gallery" instead.

   🍷 Log Memory
4. 🍷 4

   Toast Louise Pommery

   wine $$

   Pommery Brut Royal represents the house style Louise invented — she was the FIRST to create "brut" (very dry) champagne when all others were sweet like dessert wine. In the tasting salon, ask: "Why did Louise Pommery create dry champagne?" She took the risk for the British market, and every "brut" champagne today follows her revolutionary lead. Raise your glass to the widow who changed everything.

   🔄 BACKUP: Book €60 prestige tour for Cuvée Louise.

   🍷 Log Memory