Founded around 650 by St Nivard, the Benedictine Abbey Saint-Pierre of Hautvillers welcomed in 1668 a young Benedictine monk, Dom Pierre Pérignon, 29 years old.
Prosecutor of the monastery, he managed his property for 47 years, until his death in 1715, the same month and at the same age as King Louis XIV. His grave is located in the abbey church. Its careful management allows the renovation of the abbey, with, for example, the construction of the St. Helena Gate and the cloister.
Père Pérignon improves the quality of the wines produced by the abbey, thanks to his work on the assembly. Sold to the suppliers of the Court, they will be appreciated by Louis XIV.
The abbey was abandoned during the Revolution, but began to revive in 1823 when Pierre-Gabriel Chandon bought the properties.
