My husband and I have decided to stay in Reims rather than Epernay. Should we do a day trip via TripAdvisor or Viator to Epernay or drive ourselves for the day to visit Epernay? (We will have a car and will drive to Colmar for the next stop on our journey through Eastern France). Are the Champagne tours in Reims similar to the ones in Epernay? Do you suggest doing 1-2 of the big houses and then adding 1-2 smaller wineries in the region? Would love your input!
Posted by
11660 posts
We have visited both of them and recommend that you visit Epernay by car yourselves. It is more interesting than Reims although both are worth a visit if you have enough time.
Posted by
Midwest
557 posts
Viator and trip advisor do not run tours. They sell others tours. Usually you can get better service possibly price by booking direct.
Posted by
OP
2 posts
Thank you, please advise where to search for those day trips.
Posted by
19 posts
Hi. It's been a few years but , like you, we stayed in Reims, and had a rental car.
We drove to Epernay for a day to explore and visit some Champagne houses.
Our favorite tour was Moet and Chandon. I believe we just booked on site once we arrived.
(We weren't there during peak season.)
We also drove around and visited many small towns in the region. Beautiful area.
I remember a town named Chateau-Thierry that was nice. There was a winery there that did a tour.
I don't remember the name of it, but shouldn't be too hard to find.
Additionally, there were some WW1 sights nearby that I found interesting.
In Reims, I really enjoyed the 3 Brasseurs Microbrewery and restaurant. Good meal and good beer !
Hope this helps, enjoy your trip
Posted by
Upstate NY, USA
908 posts
... Take the train?
It's an hour on the TER to Epernay.
Posted by
Long Beach, Ca, usa
1471 posts
Isgarske,
Champagne-related. Nearby Hautvilliers is where Dom Perignon's tomb is. I've never seen it crowded. Lovely little church and garden and it is nice to pay tribute to the origin of champagne. Makes a nice part of your drive in the area.
In 2017 we did a reverse of your drive. We went from Colmar with a visit to Verdun on the way to Reims. The battlefield areas and the museum and the ossuary there are moving and inspirational. You might want to look into it. In Reims, do not neglect the cathedral, where nearly every king of France was crowned, and which has some beautiful stained glass. I would want to drive myself around Epernay, but be aware that the French are very strict about driving after imbibing. Their alcohol % is lower than in the US, and they enforce the rules. The TI or tourist bureau online may have info about champagne tasting tours out of Reims. Trip Advisor and Viator are 3rd party and IMO are not as responsive as the actual tour operators.
Enjoy!
Posted by
Alsenborn, Germany
1629 posts
I have, in the past 8 months, driven the Champagne trail from Chateau Thierry to both Reims and Epernay. I have stayed overnight in Reims. I like Reims: I have a 1919 Michelin Guide that I use to tour the city and I find that adds to my interest. I have not done any of the tours of the Champagne houses, though I will return to tour the chalk caves. I have lived in major wine regions (Napa, Paso Robles, Mosel, Pfalz, etc.) most of my life and frankly, there's not a huge difference in wineries. What I do is visit the tasting houses, of which there are a lot both in and outside the cities.
I recommend, since you have a car, that you take a ride west to Troissy or Passy-Grigny and visit the champagne houses there. Call ahead and let them know you're coming.
And if you go to Epernay, stop in and do some shopping at Grand Frais Pierry, a co-op with some of the best regional foods and wines at very good prices. It's where the locals shop.
If you have any interest in old cars, there's a classic car museum in Reims that's worth a visit.