One of the best and therefore most popular day trips outside of Paris is to go to the nearby Champagne region. While there is plenty to do for several days should you want to immerse yourself in the region further and stay overnight, you can still get a nice taste for this special part of France with just a day trip.
Not all experiences in Champagne are created equal though. And, as the founder of En Route to Rêverie I have helped hundreds of people plan a trip to Paris via Rêverie in Paris and therefore booked a variety of clients to Champagne for day trips as well. My travel Atelier has deep expertise and wonderful partners with amazing access to some of the best experiences in Champagne.
Best Day Trip From Paris To Champagne
Champagne is one of my very favorite parts of France to visit. I find the history of the region so interesting (I loved this novel set there and highly recommend it) and truly love the way that Champagne is such a part of the French way of life. Unlike in the U.S. where Champagne is often reserved for celebratory occasions, Champagne is treated more as an apéritif and every day indulgence in France.
This special wine region within the historical province of Champagne is located in the northeast of France. It is about 100 miles east of Paris. It is best known for the production of champagne, the sparkling white wine varietal that bears the region’s name. The area is nestled within rolling hills of the stunning French countryside. And is home to some of the most beautiful historical places in France.
The city of Reims and the town of Épernay are the commercial centers of the area.
If you’re not familiar, Champagne is a blended wine. This means that several grape varieties can be used to make it and the most commonly used varieties are Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Meunier. These grape varieties offer a good balance of sugar and acidity to complement the effervescence, provide a rich, subtle taste and are known for their good effervescent potential.
Take the train
The train from Paris to Reims is quick and easy. It is recommended you buy your ticket in advance!
Join a tour
Either a group or a private tour. It is the best way to experience the region – particularly for a day trip. See further below for additional guidance on finding the right tour operater.
Consider harvest season
The Champagne region is alive and bustling at harvest season so it can be a fun time to visit. Just know that some tasting experiences may not be operating during this time.
Go in off season
To avoid large groups and crowds, consider visiting Champagne in January through March which is considered off season for the region.
Visit Champagne in the Spring
If you plan to visit Paris in the Spring, a day trip to Champagne at this time of year is just lovely.
Consider staying overnight
We have several hotels we really like for our En Route to Rêverie clients in the area. So consider spending the night if you’d prefer to be less rushed!
Best Things To Do In Champagne France
Champagne Tastings
Of course the number one thing to do while visiting Champagne is to taste champagne! Not all tasting experiences are created equal though. And some of the most special tasting experiences will require a private guide who has access to the most exclusive Champagne houses.
There are more than one hundred champagne houses and 19,000 smaller vine-growing producers in Champagne. The right tour guide will get you access to the smaller producers doing really cool things and making a lot less production making for a really special experience while in Champagne.
Visit the famed houses
If you’re short on time or just looking for some brand-name houses to experience, you can easily book in for tastings at Veuve Clicquot and Moët Chandon. Owned by LVMH these are big scale Champagne producers with major name notoriety worldwide which makes the tasting experience a bit factory-farmed. Therefore these houses aren’t my Atelier’s personal favorites to visit.
Buy Champagne
Most houses will arrange to ship your bottles of champagne home to you or if you’re buying a smaller quality they can package it carefully for you to bring home in your checked luggage.
Visit the Reims Cathedral
Reims is the capital of Champagne and famous for its cathedral in the center of this town. This UNESCO World Heritage Site was, for more than 1,000 years, where French kings were crowned.
This grand cathedral is known for its stained-glass windows and Gothic carved portals including the famed Smiling Angel.
Go on a walking tour
Reims is a beautiful and historical village full of heritage sites and plenty to see and do. Consider doing a walking tour with a guide to learn more about the city.
Go on a hot air balloon ride
If you’re up for a very early morning, you could consider ascending above the rolling hills of the Champagne region and seeing the vines from above with a very special hot air balloon ride.
You can request to have us help you arrange this and plan your trip via Haute Rêverie.
Taste Ratafia
Ratafia de Champagne is a grape-based spirit they make in the Champagne region. It is delicious and so special!
Learn more about Champagne
The right guide and the right tour experiences can really help you learn more about this special type of wine. I find Champagne and its production as well as the families and growers involved in it in this part of France so fascinating.
See Épernay
The town of Épernay is a charming and historic village home to many Champagne houses. You can also see some beautiful homes and arrange for champagne tastings or cellar tours while in town.
Day Tours From Paris To Champagne
So you can avoid drinking and driving and learn about the history of the region and the production of Champagne itself, it is highly recommended you do a day tour group to Champagne.
Group Tours
A variety of tour operators will conduct small or large group tours within the region. They’ll pick you up at a central meeting point in Paris and then drop you off at a central spot in Paris at the end of your day tour from Paris.
These tours can be hit or miss. Larger group tours will not be able to get you access to the most exclusive Champagne houses. And you’ll be limited to a strict schedule that accommodates only the group. Even small groups are often not given the best access. And you’ll likely be at Champagne houses on your day trip that cater nearly exclusively to tourists.
These group tours are not my Atelier’s favorite way to experience Champagne. But they can work if you’re looking to experience a day trip to Champagne from Paris on more of a budget.
Private Tours
Private tours are the best way to experience Champagne. When you work with the right tour guide you’ll be able to be connected to houses that don’t typically open their doors to guests. They can also arrange for special vintage champagne tastings, for you to experience harvest in the champagne region and introduce you to some of the amazing producers doing unique things in today’s day and age of champagne production.
Our preferred partner has access to some of the most exclusive wine tasting experiences in the region. For example, they unlocked a private tour of the Dom Pérignon Abbaye for me when I most recently visited the region. The Abbaye is where Dom Pierre Pérignon first began making wine. You must be invited to this experience or be connected enough to get this experience. I was able to taste test two different Dom Pérignon vintages. And it was one of the most special experiences I have had in France.
A private tour will come with a great driver guide.
Our preferred partner can either bring you to and from your Paris hotel to Champagne. Or if you’d prefer to save on some costs, you can opt to take the train from Paris to Champagne and meet your driver for the day there. The day trip to Champagne is a long one from Paris so consider this as you plan!
Of course a private tour with exclusive access comes at a premium cost. But if you’re someone passionate about Champagne, it is a bucket list experience to have in your life. Those of my En Route to Rêverie clients who have used our preferred vendor have absolutely raved about the experience they’ve had and tell us it was the best money they spent on their Paris trip despite the investment!
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At En Route to Rêverie we would love to help you plan your trip to Champagne! You can request to have us help you plan your trip via Haute Rêverie.
I hope you found this helpful as you consider a day trip from Paris to Champagne and that it made you excited to experience this very special part of France!
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