What to Do, Where to Eat, and How to Get There
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Whether you’re spending 10 days in France or a weekend in Paris, you need to add a day trip from Paris to Reims to your itinerary. If you’re a Champagne connoisseur, Champagne lover, or just want to explore the history and architecture, Reims is worth visiting with an easy day trip.
Travel Tip:
Harvest season is in September, so you must go then if you want to see the Champagne making process. Visit any other time of the year for tasting and tours.
There’s a difference between Champagne and Sparkling Wine. The Champagne winemaking method is strictly monitored by the Champagne appellation, which states that for a product to be legally called “Champagne,” it must be harvested with specific grapes only grown in the Champagne region. That’s why we say Champagne Only Comes From Champagne. Any bubbly that calls itself Champagne but isn’t from the region is fraudulent.
How to Get to Reims From Paris
When taking a day trip from Paris to Reims, you have a few travel options at different price points. Use Rome2Rio when traveling in Europe as it shows you all the transportation routes to any city and helps you find the cheapest tickets. You can conveniently download the app on the go.
Train
Reims is easily accessible by train from Paris. Travel from Paris Gare de l’Est train station the TGV Train to Reims, and you will be in the French countryside sipping on champagne in under 45 minutes from the center of Paris.
Train tickets range from $18-$50 depending on how far in advance you book them and if it’s peak or off-peak hours. I recommend booking in advance to save money.
Drive
Reims is a 90-minute drive from Paris. This is a great option if you’re planning to spend the night in Reims and want to make stops along the French countryside.
Book a Driver
Booking a drive is a stress-free way to get from Paris to Reims if you can afford it. Use sites like My Driver to schedule your pickup and book the car of your choice.
You can also book an Uber for a day trip from Paris to Reims for a slightly lower cost than a professional driver if you go at off-peak hours.
Where to Stay in Reims
It’s effortless to take a day trip from Paris to Reims, and there is no need to spend the night. However, if you do want to make an overnight trip, I recommend having a carry-on packing list and checking out the accommodations below.
Airbnb, Reims City Center
Stay in Reims City Center, as it’s central to all the restaurants and home of numerous Champagne houses. Ubers and taxis can be slow in Reims, so plan on walking or ask your lodging representative about transport.
This Airbnb has a spectacular view of the Reims Cathedral and is located within walking distance of everything in the city.
Château de Sacy, Sacy
Twenty minutes outside of Reims lies the small picturesque village of Sacy. With a population of only 379 people, the village features one restaurant, vineyards for miles, and the Château de Sacy. If you’re looking to splurge and spend a night in a picturesque French Château, look no further than Château de Sacy. With only 12 rooms, you’ll receive an intimate experience that never feels overcrowded. It is located right next to the WB “Wafflart-Briet” Champagne House, and it is a 20-minute drive to Reims, so you won’t waste any time during your day trip!
What to Do in Reims
Although Reims is the Champagne region of France, there are many things to do in the city that don’t involve alcohol. Below are suggestions for Champagne Houses to visit as well as alcohol-free activities to enjoy during your day trip.
Champagne Houses to Visit
WB “Wafflart-Briet”
Next to the Château de Sacy stands the WB “Wafflart-Briet” Champagne House. WB is a family-owned, 5th-generation Champagne house that has owned its land since the 1880s.
Rachel, who married into the family, runs the private tours, ranging from half-day excursions to three-day ventures. Unlike with the bigger houses, the WB half-day tour consists of walking the vineyards, touring the facility, enjoying a three-course lunch at the local restaurant, labeling your own bottle of champagne, and tasting the selections! This tour was my favorite by far; you could feel the history and heritage of the land. Each tour is bespoke and personalized to your taste. For pricing and availability, contact the email below. And make sure to pick up a few bottles of their Champagne, as it’s not sold in the states.
Email [email protected] to book a tour
Ruinart
Ruinart is best known as the first official Champagne house. It was founded by Nicolas Ruinart in 1729 after his uncle, a monk, introduced him to the Champagne making process. In the mid-18th century, Ruinart acquired the ancient crayères (chalk caves).
Walk 139 steps down, and you’ll be 125 feet below ground in a 5-mile network of Champagne history. The crayères were built in the middle ages and are made of chalk. The caves are cold and dark, as this is where thousands of bottles are stored.
During this 2 hour tour in a small group, you’ll visit a classic French parlor to taste two different Champagne blends. We started with a blanc de blanc, meaning white of whites (Chardonnay). A Ruinart Sommelier will walk you through the history of the house and the blends you’re tasting. Afterwards, you’ll descend into the caves and experience the magic for yourself with the cellar tour.
Taittinger
Taittinger, pronounced Tet-ahn–zhay, was initially founded in 1734 under the name Forest-Fourneaux. It wasn’t until 1932 that Pierre Taittinger acquired the estate and relaunched it as Taittinger. One of the largest Champagne producers in the region, it’s known for its fruity, floral, and Chardonnay-driven house blend. Just like Ruinart, bottles are stored underground in crayères.
Veuve le Clicquot
One of the most well-known brands around the world and annual organizers of the Veuve Clicquot Polo Classic, Veuve le Clicquot is the Champagne of high society. It was founded in 1772 and later taken over by a 27-year-old widow named Madame Clicquot in 1805, At a time when women weren’t allowed in the business world, the young and determined Madame Clicquot made her presence known around the world.
The Champagne house offers several different tours. Enjoy a picnic in the garden overlooking the vineyards, tour the cellars and enjoy a tasting, or visit the vineyards and learn about the grapes.
Other Champagne Houses to visit in Reims
- Pommery
- G.H. Mumm
- Lanson
- Krug
- Louis Roederer
You can find a full list of Champagne Houses in Reims on the Reims tourism site. Not into planning the details of your day trip from Paris to Reims? Book a small-group tour for wine tastings around France’s Champagne region from Viator. Let a professional tour guide transport you and lead your day trip for a comfortable, stress-free experience.
See the Sights
Reims Cathedral
Besides Champagne, Reims is also famous for the Reims Cathedral, the site of 25 coronations of the kings of France. The gothic Cathedral was originally constructed in 1211 and is in the center of Reims. Book a guided tour for 9 euros and discover the history behind the Cathedral’s iconic gothic architecture.
Try Pink Biscuits
Pink biscuits are a traditional Reims delicacy and pair wonderfully with a chilled glass of Champagne. The recipe was invented in 1690, but it wasn’t considered a delicacy until 1795, during the reign of Louis XV, who glorified lifestyle and good taste. Biscuits were presented during the Coronation of Louis XVI at Reims, and the Biscuit maker became the king’s supplier. Maison Fossier took over as the primary baker in 1845 and has been producing them ever since. Purchase them at the store located next to the Reims Cathedral.
Fossier store Reims Cathedral
25 cours Jean-Baptiste Langlet, 51100 Reims
Bike Around Reims
Book a 2-hour guided bike tour around Reims for 20 euros to experience all the sights. This is a fun and interactive way to see everything the city has to offer.
Where to Eat in Reims
Champagne is not only known for its bubbly. It’s also home to a few Michelin Star restaurants and local eateries that are wonderfully unique and delicious at a more affordable price point.
Travel Tip:
If you’re in Reims on a Sunday, lookup restaurant hours. Like most of Europe, Sunday is a day of rest, and most restaurants will be closed. Prepare a backup plan, or go grocery shopping at the local market the night before.
Breakfast: Le Four Ă Bois
This traditional French breakfast includes coffee, fresh-squeezed orange juice, a croissant, and a baguette with a side of jam and butter. But these aren’t just your typical french baguettes; the loaves are made in a firewood oven using organic flour and natural sourdough, and they are salted with Guérande salt. Then they are shaped in an artisanal way. Can you smell the aromas yet?
Lunch: Anna-S. — La Table Amoureuse
This friendly and charming local eatery is full of excellent food at fair prices. They even offer a tasting menu if you’re looking for a special dinner. Regardless of what you order, you’ll have a good time.
Dinner: Brasserie Le Jardin inside the Les Crayères Hotel
Located outside of Reims City Center next to Parc de Champagne stands the Les Crayères Hotel. This 5-star venue recreates and modernizes the “Chateau” style with an elegant and sophisticated atmosphere. The attention to detail is unparalleled and represents true French classicism. However, with rooms starting between $700-$1000 per night, it will set you back some euros.
Budget Tip:
Can’t afford a room? Make a reservation at the Brasserie Le Jardin, one of the hotel’s restaurants, instead. It offers an à la carte menu for individual dishes under 35 euros or the Autour des Produits de la Région menu for 53 euros. Walk the grounds, take some photos of yourself living like French royalty, and then enjoy your meal for a fraction of the hotel price.
Travel Tips for Visiting Reims
Make Appointments
- Unlike other wineries where you’re more than welcome to walk in and take a tour, Champagne is mostly by appointment only. You can tour in either small or private groups, and tours need to be booked well in advance online.
Pace your drinking
- The French are very generous when they pour the bubbly; sharing is caring! It’s common to spend a full day touring different Champagne houses, so even though each tour is only a “tasting,” chances are you’ll be over-served. Make sure to pace yourself.
Wear comfortable shoes
- Even though you’ll want to look cute for your Instagram photos, make sure to dress practically. Weather can be very unpredictable, and you may experience rain, sun, cold, and heat all in the same day. Plus, you’ll be walking on cobblestones, stairs, and dirt, so wear sneakers. Pack a sweater If you’ll be visiting underground cellars as they can get chilly. Check out my ultimate carry-on packing list to be prepared on your next trip.
Overall
Whether you’re taking a day trip from Paris to Reims or spending 10 days in France, Reims will not disappoint. You can escape the city and be in the French countryside in under 45 minutes. Explore the city center, famous Champagne houses, gourmet food, and architecture; there’s something for everyone in Reims, France.
Read More: Visiting Bordeaux: Wine Lovers 3 Day Travel Guide
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Disclosure: Please note that some of the links above are affiliate links. I would never recommend anything I don’t personally love.
