My husband, daughter, and I will be visiting Reims for a day in September - arriving about 9, leaving at 6 - so we'll have a fair amount of time there. I'm wondering if there's any point in scheduling more than one champagne visit. They all give a tour and a tasting, yes? I was thinking of Taittinger and Pommery - or possibly Martel. Thanks in advance for your advice!
I would think not because there are some other worthwhile things in Reims. 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. In addition, there is The Cathedral and The Museum of the Surrender (?) where the peace treaty ending WWII was signed. Both are well worth a visit.
You might want to consider one tour/tasting, plus seeing some sights, and a second tasting (no tour) or a glass of Champagne with lunch.
Excellent idea of a glass of champagne with lunch, Robert! And TC, did you need a reservation for Martel? RS wasn't clear - they said the TI could make a reservation. Does that mean I can let it go until I get there? (We'll be there the 2nd week of September.) Many thanks!
I think that 2 big Champagne houses would be too much.
On my day trip to Reims last year we toured the cathedral, had a quick lunch and then took the train to Rilly la Montagne and visited a small Champagne producer. It was lovely little town - but not much was going on there in September.
For your day I would visit one Champagne house, see the Cathedral - and whatever else interests you. Have a nice lunch. And if you have some spare time before your train there's a nice café at the train station where you can have one last glass of champagne before you depart.
Thanks very much, Parisonadime (I like your name - I also travel cheaply but well). I like the idea of going to a champagne cave first and then being able to have lunch and see the other sights at a more leisurely pace. I've always wanted to see the smiling angel on the Reims cathedral!
Dorothy, We were there as part of a small group so reservations had been made for us. Not sure what the procedure is to get an individual / share reservation. Perhaps you can email them directly for clarification.
Thanks, TC! RS talks about how to make reservations so I think I'm good. :)
I've been to Champagne a couple of times where I have stayed for a couple of nights and visited several houses. While you only have a day, I have to begrudgingly agree with the other posters that you will probably only have time for one tasting/tour. But all Champagne houses do not give the same tour, so make sure that you research a little to find the one that will be best for you. As an example, the Pommery tour included modern art exhibits and history of the caves as well as a very good tour leader when I visited.
Thanks, Nick. I'm having a little trouble deciding on which house to visit - and I'm not much of an oenophile - so I think I'll go to Pommery since you say they give a good tour. I'm sure we'll love it!