In October, we'll be traveling by car from Beaune to Reims. Since we won't be in a rush, we're looking for interesting sites to stop at along the way. Thinking about Troyes for lunch. Would appreciate insights on taking either the A31 route with a stop in Dijon, or taking the A6 route with a stop in Chateauneuf-en-Auxois. How much time should we spend driving through Epernay? Was planning on keeping the car for a day in Reims & considering driving to Epernay then.
Not the most direct route, but a good route will take you through Semur en Auxois
https://janettravels.wordpress.com/2010/08/25/medieval-towns/
And not far from there is the Fontennay Abbey
https://janettravels.wordpress.com/2010/07/26/edwins-law-at-fontenay-abbey/
If you have time to spend a night you could also make it over to Vezelay.
This is a great part of the country.
I liked both of Janet's suggestions. If you're interested in history, the battle of Alesia is in the area. Going up into the Champagne region, Epernay seems like a good stop.
Champagne houses in Epernay, Hautevillers for visit to the Abbey where Dom Perignon lived and is buried. There's a restaurant in Hautevillers with outside seating near the abbey that is lovely, sorry I can't remember the name.
I loved Troyes. Very atmospheric and surprisingly few non-French tourists.