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French itinerary

My husband and I are planning a trip in May. We are in our 70’s and his mobility isn’t great. We’d really like to see the Champagne region and Beaune and since they are so far from each other, I’m not sure how to plan. We think 12 days is enough for us. Here’s what I’m thinking and please give us your thoughts!
We want to fly into Paris go straight to Champagne for 3 days to go to Reims and Epernay. Train back to Paris where we stay 5 days and then take a train to Beaune for 3 days, then take a train straight to DeGaulle airport.

Does that sound simple enough? The trip to burgundy’s sounds the farthest, and we’re not sure how to manage. Thanks for your input!

Posted by
3381 posts

It would be better and you would get more assistance if you had a day-by-day itinerary. What will you do in the Champagne region for 5 days? Paris for 5? Beaune for 3? Having an itinerary will help you think thru the trip and make sure that you are spending your time well. In particular, if you are going to more rural locations will you need a car?

Wife and I are 74 and 78. We spent 2 M in France Feb-Mar 2026. Really enjoyed it.

Posted by
9389 posts

Our first France trip, a long time ago, was to the Champagne region, and it was a bicycle trip. From what you mentioned, my guess is that you’re not doing bikes this trip, but we stayed in Reims and visited Epernay as a daytrip from there. Three days sounds like a good time for Champagne, if you’re not visiting a whole lot of wineries or doing other research activities.

To reach Beaune from Reims means connecting in Paris anyway, so unless you wanted to save Paris for the very end, your plan sounds great.

Posted by
107 posts

Your 3 destinations seem reasonable for 11 days/12 nights. Although I prefer to stay in Paris upon arrival after a long flight, it makes sense to plan your 5 Paris days in the middle of the trip since your other destinations via train involve transiting through Paris.

I have an older RS France guidebook that indicates there are several trains per day that connect CDG to Reims, but it's unclear if this is a direct train (I didn't see this option when I did a quick search, i.e., you'd still have to change trains at some point). That will be a tiring arrival day heading to Reims, but it seems doable.

When you say you'll have 3 days in Beaune does that mean you'll have 3 nights or 4? If only 3 nights, this gives you only 2 full days. I've not been to Burgundy (yet), but I would add another day there, especially since this will be your final destination before flying home. I find travel days/transitions to be tiring, and would guess that this is also true for those with mobility issues. More time in one place allows a slower place, but I recognize it's not always possible to add more days to a trip.

As you note, Burgundy is your farthest destination, and that is a longer train ride with multiple connections to get to CDG (compared to a train to or from Reims). Maybe you're already planning to do this, but I would recommend taking the train the day before your flight home. I've become a fan of staying at an airport hotel the night before flying home, especially from CDG, and especially if it's an early departure. I'm totally sold on staying at the Sheraton in (not just near) Terminal 2 at CDG. We'll be doing that next April...

Posted by
15 posts

Thank you all for your in put, it’s good to know we aren’t totally off base. We still aren’t sure of how we will get this done, but you’ve given us some great ideas…the only thing I’m sure of is we will definitely stay at the airport the night before we leave.
Thanks again

Posted by
3770 posts

Good plans.....Night 1-3 in Reims gives you 2 full days there, which IMO is enough. Back to Paris in a.m, Spend nights 4-6 (2 1/2 days, after Reims), then train to Beaune (TGV from Gare de Lyon, just over 2 hours. Give Beaune 3 full days (nights 7-10...this includes some tours/day trips to wineries, maybe Dijon, and a day in Beaune). Return to Paris for nights 11-12, and 13 (Last night) at airport hotel and enjoy other sights in Paris.
You could go to Beaune from Reims in one day, changing stations in Paris. (I would go by taxi between stations.) It will be a long moving day, but you will have all your Paris days together at the end. Nights 1-3 in Reims, nights 4-7 in Beaune, nights 8-12 in Paris, night 13 at airport hotel.
The only bit of a problem I see is getting to Reims on arrival day. I don't find anything direct from CDG. The options I find involve a change of trains. The TGV from Paris to Beaune is an easy, quick trip from Gare de Lyon.

Posted by
15 posts

You can take a train from Charles de Gaulle to Champagne-Ardenne. This station is 5 km/ 3 miles from the center of Reims. A tram takes you into the city (in 12 mins).

If you were to drive Reims —> Beaune (approx. 3 hours) then you could place Paris at the end of your itinerary. This would involve renting a car and paying for the one-way. But staying within France this probably isn’t that much.