Hi!
I was wondering if anyone knows if traveling to Epernay on a Sunday is a bad idea. We are going to take the train which is cheap that day and wanted to rent bikes to ride around. Also, I am going to book a Moet tour which is open Sunday. Will there be restaurants and bakeries open as well? Any suggestions on bike rentals? Thank you!
Most grocery shopping is closed on Sunday, although Carrefour City is open from 9:00-1:00 in Epernay. A few restaurants are closed but not most. If you're coming from Paris, a bakery closer to your hotel may be open on Sunday morning, as will be kiosks in the train station.
We were in Epernay - yesterday Sept 2- Sunday
Most of the town was closed
How much can you do in a day - three visits and a leisurely lunch
The two Champagne houses we visited were - Moet - had to cover them
Also - visited Paul-Etienne - Surprisingly Very Good Champagne
51, Avenue de Champagne - do not miss
Thank you for your response! Yes, we are planning to grab lunch to go somewhere for a picnic and ride bikes around the wineries. I was going to book a tour of Moet and then maybe find another winery open. Did you have to reserve all the tours/tastings that you did? Were there enough restaurants open to have lunch or dinner?
We have visited Epernay several times and the most recent was on a Sunday this past June.
I would say more restaurants are closed on Sunday than are open.
However, we did have a very good lunch at an open restaurant a block from the train station heading to Moet. I do not remember the name.
I wasn't sure if you wanted an actual restaurant or a place you purchase picnic foods. I do not think you will find the latter. My advice would be to bring your picnic lunch with you from Paris and enjoy it in the Parc Hotel de Ville. It's a beautiful park/garden a two minute walk from the station and it's 30 seconds from Moet.
I have not seen bicycle rentals in Epernay. Many of the champagne houses are closed on weekends and all require reservations so I'm not sure where you would go. There are a few tasting rooms right down the Avenue from Moet.
There is an excellent tourist office in Epernay. I suggest contacting them ahead of time to inquire about bicycle rentals and other advice. You can view their website in English.
This is why I love this Forum. Someone asks a specific question about a specific town in France - and gets a response from someone who was there yesterday!
Thanks for posting - our next trip will include Reims/Epernay.
Yes I asked this question on TripAdvisor and no responses!
Just in case anyone else is interested- I contacted the tourism office and you can pre book bike rentals there. They rent them from 10:30 to 4 on Sunday’s which is plenty of time.
I booked a tour at Moet for 3:45 pm. I contacted the Paul-Etienne house which is open for tastings on weekends as well! So our plan is to visit Paul Etienne for a tasting and buy a couple bottles to bring along in a back pack while we cruise the country on our bikes and have a picnic lunch (which I’ll bring from Paris). Then, back to town to tour Moet.
Finally, we will eat dinner at a restaurant open on sundays (going to make a reservation just in case) and then head back on the train to Paris!
I appreciate everyone’s help!
