The story begins with a gift from a mother to her daughter. Around 1885, Jeanne Alexandrine Pommery, in charge of the Champagne firm bearing her name, fell in love with one of the most beautiful views of Reims and its cathedral. A dreamlike setting in which to see her daughter, Louise, Marquise de Polignac, grow up. Renowned architect Charles Dauphin then designed the plans for a substantial residence in a 17.3-acre park entrusted at the time to Hausmann's famous landscaper, Edouard André. Charles Dauphin dreamt up a beautiful residence steeped in the Mansart style, which would overlook this chalky knoll.

In 1904, after two years of construction, the property sets its first sparks flying, like a stonediamond in a natural green setting. Louise cherished the spirit of the place and settled there happily, bringing her relatives, friends, and acquaintances from the champagne world. Very soon, this building of classical design became a residence sparkling with life, a meeting-place for fashionable events. For 75 years, the Polignac descendants worked hard at maintaining its French stylishness.

Then Xavier Gardinier appeared. In 1979, this businessman with a passion for wine and gastronomy foresaw an even greater destiny for the estate. His ambition was to create one of France’s finest, most elegant hotels. Pierre-Yves Rochon - then a young interior architect and decorator, before becoming that of the Georges V in particular - was entrusted with its transformation. "Excellence governing every detail" was his motto, applied in each room, each nook and cranny of the house.

In 1983, the Domaine Les Crayères was reborn, its new brightness shining well beyond Champagne. Above all, it would never forget its vocation in hotelry and gastronomy, with the immediate award of 3 Michelin stars which it retained until the departure of Gérard & Elyane Boyer on their retirement.