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Reims or Dijon?

Posted by on

On our trip to Paris in September, we would like to rent a car and drive around either the Reims or Dijon area for 3 days. I know it's not enough time, but we're hoping to get a snapshot view of either area. Can anyone recommend one over the other or are we totally out of our minds to even think of driving in this short amount of time? Our original plan is to travel to the area by train, then rent a car locally.

Would long day train or bus trips from Paris be better with less travel stress? Thanks for your input - am totally at a loss what to do with these 3-4 days. BTW, this is not our first trip to Paris, so we want to visit areas away from the city.

Posted by
7175 posts

Both would make wonderful short diversions from Paris.
I don't know if I would even bother with a car in either place...

Day 1 - Train to Reims - Cathedral, Archbishops Palace, St Remi
Day 2 - Tour to Epernay for Champagne houses
Day 3 - Return train to Paris

Day 1 - Train to Dijon - Notre Dame, Ducal Palace, Cathedral
Day 2 - Tour to Beaune
Day 3 - Return train to Paris

Of course, if you decide to stay in Paris and make 2 long day trips to both Reims and Dijon, the third day would be freed up for somewhere else !!

Posted by
5 posts

Your suggestions are wonderful! Hadn't considered no car. How would we get between cities without a car?

Posted by
6713 posts

I think David is assuming, or knows, that there are tours you can take from Reims or Dijon. I don't know that and I'd suggest renting a car in either city for your explorations. Good train service to both from Paris.

Focusing just on the cities, I'd pick Reims over Dijon (and I'm not even a champagne enthusiast). Reims Cathedral is marvelous and very historic, the Roman gate there is fascinating, and there's also a well-regarded WWII museum (which I haven't seen). Dijon has an art museum and medieval center (better than Reims).

Focusing on the surrounding area, I'd pick Burgundy over Champagne (but remember I'm not a champagne guy, but I do like that vin rouge).

So I guess I'd vote for Dijon on the assumption that you'll be exploring the area too, by car rented there.

Would long day train or bus trips from Paris be better with less travel stress? Not sure what you mean here, better than what? Train is the best way to get from Paris to either Reims or Dijon, I think, then car for surroundings.

Posted by
2087 posts

TGV to Reims (1h), visit and pick up rental car for going in the afternoon or evening to Troyes (1½h driving) or another nice place in Burgundy. Next day explore Burgundy and stay in Dijon. Visit it the last day and go back to Paris with a few nice stops in between. Drop off for instance in Melun and take RER back into Paris, maybe somebody has better suggestions.

Posted by
33 posts

I'd stay in Epernay and day trip to Reims myself . . .

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