Hi--- I will be in Paris for a few days before and after Christmas. Does anyone have any info about champagne tastings or cellar tours in Reims? We would have to train to Reims (no car) and would be on foot for the day. We could do an organized tour day trip if you helpful folks have any tips to send my way. Or, if this is not possible over the December holidays, I'd like to know that too! Thanks so much!
Posted by
Toledo, Ohio, US
11613 posts
Your hotel desk staff or your apartment owner/manager may be your best source for information. There are a couple of in-city tours, and a couple of tourism-office affiliated tours, but I don't recommend the latter.
Posted by
Atlanta
4828 posts
Since it will be the holiday season you might want to contact several and and be sure when (or if) they will be open. We went to the Martel champagne place and found it to be very interesting. It is easy to get to on the city bus from the area of the train station as it is only a 12-15 minute ride from a bus stop close to the train station. From what I remember reservations for individuals were required but I might be wrong. Perhaps you can google them, find their official web site, and see about the reservation situation straight from the horse's mouth. You may also be able to google "Champagne Tours in Reims" and come up with some ideas for other tours.
The Museum of the Surrender (?) where the peace treaty ending WWII is also well worth a visit. On the return trip from Martel we stayed on the bus at the train station and got off 2 or 3 stops later to go to the Museum of the Surrender. It is also possible to go under the train station in a walkway that will take you to the museum.
Two restaurants come to mind. Across from the cathedral (which is interesting because of the Chagall glass) is Au Bureau and is good for lunch. The other is Le Gran Café on Place Drouet across from the Grand Hotel Continental. Great food!!
It is possible to do Reims as a day trip from Paris. But it will be a loooong day and a rushed one to boot. You should be able to really do the town justice with a one night stay if you get there early in the a.m. and leave late the next p.m.
Posted by
Tel Aviv
15582 posts
I went to Reims in April and stayed overnight. It is certainly possible to do a day trip by train, an hour journey from Gare de l'Est. Some of the trains go all the way to Reims, others only to Champagne-Ardenne, where you have an easy transfer to the local TER train into Reims. The TER was at the same platform waiting when my train from Paris arrived.
I used trams and buses to get around as well as walking. There is a TI at the train station and another at the cathedral. The first has shorter hours and hadn't yet opened when I arrived. It's an easy walk or a short ride from the train station to the cathedral. Start at the TI, where you can get a map and information on champagne cave tours. They will also book tours for you. I did 2 tours, Taittinger and Martel. I visited the Abbey of Saint-Remi, which I liked even more than the cathedral. Martel is a 5-minute walk from the abbey, Taittinger another 5 minutes from Martel. The 2 tours are quite different, both were interesting. I booked Martel that morning. Taittinger said they weren't taking reservations, but it seemed like some of the people on my tour had booked. Martel's tastings were generous. However, around the holidays it may be more crowded so it may be a good idea to book cave tours in advance. I also enjoyed visiting the Musee de la Reddition.
You can also get champagne by the glass (several choices) everywhere in Reims. I had a glass of Pommery at the train station cafe.
Posted by
US Pacific Northwest
10344 posts
You can do Reims as a comfortable day trip from Paris. It's only a 45 minute ride on the high speed train. I did it earlier this year.
You'd want to do further research to make sure there are cellar tours around Christmas.
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