My husband and I will be staying at a B&B in Reims at the end of September. Could someone please suggest the best way to optimize our day and a half there? Do I need to make reservations ahead with Champagne Houses or will I be able to pick and choose the day I arrive?
Posted by
Springfield, VA, USA
283 posts
You will need to research the chanpagne houses online to find their hours. Some are open and some require a reservation. Almost all charge for tastings. Here is good website to begin:
http://www.libation-unlimited.com/champagne-directory.aspx
In Remis itself, do not miss the cathedral. There is also a great outdoor market which is worth a look.
Posted by
Hamilton, NJ, USA
132 posts
Mumm Champagne House very was nice and I am fairly certain that no reservations are required.
Posted by
San Francisco/Marin County
9436 posts
Is the town of Reims nice and worth walking around? Or is it only good for the champagne houses? I know it has a beautiful cathedral, but anything else charming to see?
Posted by
Grapevine, TX, USA
875 posts
Reims is worth walking around. There are some nice Roman ruins and nice parks to be seen also. If your husband has any interest in WWII history, World War II was actually ended in Reims. The Salle de Reddition has been preserved -- it was Eisenhower's headquarters -- and the room where the Germans signed the papers of surrender has been preserved as it was that day. It is closed on Wednesday (even though we had seen it advertised otherwise).
Posted by
San Francisco/Marin County
9436 posts
Janis, thanks so much! I do love WWII history, my Dad landed on Omaha and fought in the Battle of the Bulge. I didn't know the connection between Reims and WWII. Now I want to go more than ever. Thank you!
Posted by
San Clemente, Ca.
408 posts
Stephanie,
I love the area near Rheims better. Epernay has some of the larger champagne houses. We did the Moet Chandon tour. We made reservations in advance. I also had my local wine shop at home reccomend a champgane house and he made reservations at Canard Duchene. We had a private tour and the young lady spent several hours with us tasting champagne. I would highly recommend them. They are off the champagne route outside of Epernay. The drive is just beautiful. If you need more information on Canard Duchene p.m. me and I will get more info for you. We only saw the Catherdral and we went to where the surrender papers were signed but they were closed for lunch so we did not stay.
Posted by
washington
837 posts
Stephanie,
We enjoyed Reims several years ago. The cathedral is wonderful. There are several other, older, cathedrals in town. Sorry, can't remember the names. I am a little surprised that a northern Californian would be interested in champagne. As a long time Californian, I had seen enough high quality wineries and "sparkling wine" establishments that architectural wonders seemed more intriguing. We found Laon to be fascinating. The cathedral on the mountain top was memorable. The town was also nice, a bit like Chartres without the canal. Rented and returned car at the Reims train station.