Couvert de Vignes

The story

Couvert de Vignes – Modern Cuisine in the Heart of Champagne, Reims

A restaurant in the vines

Couvert de Vignes lives up to its name. Set on the Place Pommery in the village of Chigny-les-Roses, in the Montagne de Reims region, the restaurant occupies a former schoolhouse. The space has been transformed into a modern, light-filled dining room where the focus is squarely on the plate.

Chef Benjamin Gilles brings a deep local pedigree to his kitchen. After training in prestigious Champagne houses – including L’Assiette Champenoise (three Michelin stars) and Le Domaine des Crayères (two stars) – he refined his craft in Switzerland before returning to the region. In 2019, he opened Couvert de Vignes, his own restaurant, fulfilling a long-held dream.

Cuisine that lets the ingredients speak

Gilles and his team describe their approach simply: "a simple, balanced, and unpretentious cuisine." They let the seasonal, locally sourced products take center stage, building the menu around what the market and the surrounding vineyards provide. This philosophy of modern cuisine respects both the environment and the diner’s expectations. The Michelin guide has taken note, awarding the restaurant a “Recommended” status in 2026.

The restaurant’s atmosphere is described as welcoming, with the clean lines of the renovated schoolhouse contrasting beautifully with the surrounding Champagne landscape. Outdoor seating is available when the weather cooperates.

Key people

• Chef Benjamin Gilles – brings the culinary vision to life, drawing on years of experience in Michelin-starred kitchens.
• Director Virginie Martel – oversees the front-of-house, ensuring the service matches the quality of the cooking.