Hello All-
I will be traveling to Paris in March of 2020 with two friends. I am considering a solo day trip to Reims while they go to Versailles (I have already seen Versailles).
Reims seems like a good option since it is easy to reach via TGV and combines two major loves of mine (WWII and champagne). I also love a good Cathedral. :)
I have done some research and I know I want to see the Museum of the Surrender, the Cathedral and do one or two champagne tours (Taittinger, Mumm, Martel or Veuve Clicquot). This seems doable in a day for a solo, female, traveler without having to book a tour from Paris. However, wanted to get some thoughts from travelers who have been there.
Sounds like I will want to book the train tickets and the champagne tours in advance. I would prefer to walk once in Reims, so the champagne tours will be based on what ones I can walk to within a 20-25 min walk from the train station. Mumm and Taittinger seem like the best options based on my research.
Also open to other suggestions. Thanks in advance for your help!
Lisa
Posted by
Happy Valley, PA
672 posts
We did basically what you propose doing last month. We took the 08:59 TGV from Paris CDG Airport to Reims (Champagne-Ardenne [C-A] Station); arrived at 09:28. I had purchased the tickets 90 days before our trip to take advantage of the discounted rates; a first-class one-way ticket cost 22 Euros. Upon arrival at the C-A Station, we caught a cab to our hotel (10 Euros), stored our bags and proceeded to walk to the Museum of the Surrender. Then walked back towards the Cathedral, but ate lunch before visiting it. After the Cathedral, we then walked to a 16:30 tour and tasting appointment at Taittinger. (I had booked the tour on-line two days earlier.) We headed back to the hotel around 18:00. Total distance walked that day was about 6 miles. Since we stayed in Reims overnight, I did not investigate when the last TGV train back to Paris was, or if a later local (RER) train was an option. The Taittinger tour was okay (the guide spoke English but was somewhat hard to understand) and the cellars were interesting, but it was a bit pricey for the 3-champagne tasting. Many on this Forum have also recommended the other champagne houses you listed, so maybe take a closer look at what they offer. One other one that I had considered was Maison Ruinart which has a good reputation for rose champagnes. There are also half-day tours out of Reims to the champagne vineyards and Hautvillers (home of Dom Perignon) that include a stop or two at a champagne house for tastings; most leave from the Reims Train Station. On our way back through the champagne area from touring WW1 sites, we stayed in Epernay and took such a tour from there.
Posted by
Bainbridge Island, WA
263 posts
I recently stayed in Reims for a few days. the Museum of the Surrender is close to the train station and will take you less than an hour to see everything. You can then walk to the cathedral in about 10 minutes, and then it's another 20 minute walk to both Taittinger and Martel (they are just a couple of blocks apart). I enjoyed the cellar tour at Taittinger and the explanation of the champagne-making process. You can choose different price ranges for the tour, based on what you want to sample afterwards. The tour at Martel was interesting, and they have a better explanation during the tasting process. Then it's a straight walk back to the cathedral area. All very doable in a day. Mumm is closer to the train station, but the 2 I mentioned are very close to each other, if you want to try 2 different places and types. Yes you should book the tours in advance so you get the best times for your day. Reims was pretty easy to navigate once you pick up a map at the TI right outside the train station. Enjoy yourself!!
Posted by
US Pacific Northwest
10344 posts
You can do this yourself, we did your exact daytrip to Reims a couple of years ago, and bought the train tickets the day before when we were near the station. Your itinerary is a good one. One challenge is to get from the train station to the champagne cave you want to tour. Mumm's was within easy walking distance of the train station, and on the way was the Surrender Museum (1/2 hour, a bit under-stated).
Posted by
Tel Aviv
15584 posts
Check walking distances on Google maps. The tram is a good way to get to some of the main places in Reims.
I went on a weekend in April (5 years ago). The main TI is tucked into the side of the cathedral. They helped me book tours of Martel and Tattinger, which are very close to each other and to the basilica which I liked as much as the cathedral. The tours were both interesting with little overlap. Martel's tastings were generous, Tattinger's not.
Posted by
OP
Green Bay, Wi
18 posts
Thanks to all of you!! All of your replies have been very helpful in my planning!
Lisa
Posted by
Chicago
8055 posts
We did Taittinger which has a really nice cellar and a good tour. Don't forget St. Remy Basilica which is also excellent (and not far from Taittinger. There are trans and buses to move around; Taittinger is an easy walk from the Cathedral which is an easy walk from the train station, but you can also use trams or buses to make things more efficient.
Posted by
Michigan
375 posts
We loved Reims! Def need to make reservation for one of the in-town Champagne house tours. We walked to both of them only to find out that the only English tour was at 4pm and that they couldn't do tastings without the tour.
However, since we were there for several days we were immersed in the champagne culture (and collected many fun, long stories that made our trip so memorable!)
Also of note, there is a beautiful Galeries Lafayette in Reims. Go inside!
If you have time, enjoy a glass of champagne at Le Parvis, right outside the Cathedral, sit outside looking at the Cathedral, watching the world go by! à votre santé!