Francois Oudard

Champagne François Oudard is based in Villenauxe-la-Grande in the Aube département, at 20 Avenue de la Gare. The estate has worked as a récoltant-manipulant for more than five generations. The Comité Champagne lists Francis and Chantal Oudard as the growers and owners. The house's website now presents itself as Domaine de la Louve. Its emblem is the she-wolf, a mother with her three cubs, standing for the family spirit of the estate.

Grape varieties and cuvées

The champagnes are made from chardonnay, pinot noir and pinot meunier. The house describes its style as precise, elegant and lively, and says it practises responsible viticulture. We could not find proof of organic certification.

A regional producer directory lists a brut traditionnel, a rosé, a millésime blanc de blancs, an oak-aged blanc de blancs and the cuvée Lola as a blanc de noirs. The Glorieux Brut Blanc de Blancs Millésimé 2010 also appears as a vintage cuvée. Which vintage is currently on sale is best asked directly at the estate. The estate also has a distillery with gleaming brass stills, where fine de champagne and marc de champagne are made.

Visit and tasting

Chantal Oudard is known for her energy and passion, and she loves welcoming guests. She leads visitors through a labyrinth of cellars decorated with frescoes. One of them shows the silhouette of Frère Jean Oudard, whose superior was Dom Pérignon. The tour takes in the cuverie and the underground cellars and ends with a tasting. In 2025 this cost 10 euros and included three cuvées. At harvest time you can see the press at work in Bethon and taste the must.

The estate is open Monday to Saturday from 9 to 12 and from 14 to 17, and on Sunday from 9 to 13. Tours and tastings are by appointment. The cellar carries the Vignobles & Découvertes label. The family also invites guests to their restaurant, Le Flaubert, which has a hotel as well.