The Champagne region of northern France is one of Europe's great wine destinations, and remarkably accessible from Paris. Reims, the historic coronation city with its spectacular Gothic cathedral, and Epernay, home to the most famous champagne houses in the world, are both within 90 minutes of the capital by train or car. A private day tour combining both towns is one of the most rewarding day trips you can make from Paris.
Reims: Cathedral and Champagne Caves
Reims is a city of history and elegance. The Notre-Dame de Reims cathedral, where French kings were crowned for nearly 900 years, is one of the finest Gothic buildings in Europe and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The west facade, with its extraordinary sculptural programme, rewards a slow and careful look. Inside, Marc Chagall's stained glass windows in the axial chapel are a modern addition of quiet brilliance.
Reims is also home to several major champagne houses, including Taittinger, Pommery, Veuve Clicquot and Ruinart. Most offer cellar tours and tastings. The caves cut into the chalk beneath the city are cool, atmospheric and often centuries old. Taittinger's caves are carved from a former Benedictine abbey. A tour and tasting takes around 90 minutes.
Epernay: The Avenue de Champagne
Epernay is the heart of the champagne trade. The Avenue de Champagne, a wide boulevard lined with the grand mansions of Moet et Chandon, Perrier-Jouet, Pol Roger and others, is one of the most extravagant streets in France. Beneath it, an estimated 200 kilometres of tunnels hold hundreds of millions of bottles of ageing champagne.
Moet et Chandon offers one of the most accessible and well-organised cellar experiences, with tours running throughout the day. Smaller houses along the Montagne de Reims and in the Cote des Blancs offer more intimate visits, often by appointment.
Planning the Itinerary
A typical day tour from Paris might begin with the drive to Reims (around 1 hour 30 minutes), allowing for a morning visit to the cathedral and a pre-booked cellar tour. Lunch in Reims, followed by the 30-minute drive south to Epernay for an afternoon tour and tasting, and then the drive back to Paris. Your driver can coordinate the timing between house visits and ensure you arrive on time for any pre-booked tours.
What to Taste and Buy
Each champagne house has its signature style, from the toasty richness of Bollinger to the fine, persistent bubbles of Salon. If you have a favourite style, it is worth researching which houses specialise in it before your visit. Blanc de blancs (100% Chardonnay) tend to be lighter and more citrus-forward. Vintage champagnes from a single year showcase the character of that harvest. Many houses sell directly from the cellar at prices below retail.
The Montagne de Reims
For those who want a slightly different perspective on the region, the villages of the Montagne de Reims are home to smaller growers whose champagnes are made from their own vineyards. A detour through the Route du Champagne connects the main towns with a series of villages, each with its own character and cellars.
Samantha Travels offers private champagne region tours from Paris, combining Reims, Epernay and the surrounding vineyards. Discover our Champagne region tour and plan your day in the vineyards.