Hello fellow travelers! I'm planning a day trip for 6 travelers to both Epernay (Moet Chandon) and Reims (Taittinger and Veuve Clicquot Ponsardin) for champagne tasting late September..in a few weeks :) I'd like to take the TGV Train from Paris to each city but can't find the exact trains and times. Per Rick's "FRANCE 2011" book there are 2 "Milk Run" (TER) trains that go to both cities but it doesn't specify where to look... Can someone please help point me in the right direction? I'd like to know the following info: Which train do we take that will get us to both Epernay and Reims? What's the most efficient path (Epernay first, then Reims - believe there is more to do in Reims so we'd probably want to end our day there) What time(s) does those trains leave from Paris? Which train do we take to get us back to Paris? What time does that train leave from either Reims or Epernay? Is it best to make reservations at these champagne houses? Understand there's no need to at Moet. And lastly (a big THANKS if you've had the patience to read this far :-)...any suggestions to make this a more fun, efficient time for the group would be appreciated. It's the first time my family has been to Europe (my first time champagne tasting) so I want to make it as easy and fun for them as possible! Merci!
Posted by
Windsor, Ontario, Canada
4091 posts
Use www.tgv-europe.com . Specify an English-speaking country other than the US or Australia. Enter the departure and destination points. You will see, for instance, that you can enter Paris and Reims, specifying that you want to go via Epernay, and it will come up with hourly departures from Paris taking about two hours to Reims. These are TER class trains. I do not know, however, whether you can get off the train in Epernay to wander around and then continue on a subsequent train using the same ticket.
Posted by
Fontainebleau, France
893 posts
If you really want to make it as easy and fun as possible, I'd suggest picking either Epernay -or- Reims and not trying to cram both in on the same day. Epernay is more charming. It's smaller and easier to get around and you can walk down the Avenue du Champagne and see lots of different champagne houses. There are some that don't charge for tasting, and you can tour Moet. Reims is bigger and has more to offer. You can tour the cathedral and go to the Armistice museum if you want more than just champagne. There are some big production facilities to tour. Everything is more spread out and you'll probably need/want to use public transportation, but it's easy to use. Both have their merits for a day trip, but trying to do both in the same day seems overwhelming, especially for a first trip to Europe.
Posted by
Chicago
37 posts
Be aware that the TGV to Reims lets you off quite aways from the city center. Also, in Reims the champagne houses are another bus or taxi ride. For one day, and with your unfamiliarity with the region, I would advise going to Epernay. Lots to taste there. Bon journee.