Could someone clarify how necessary it is to have a reservation in order to tour champagne houses in Reims? I have read some posts that indicate that you can just walk in and generally join the next tour. Other posts have indicated that reservations are advisable/necessary. I have e-mailed several houses with reservation requests, just to be on the safe side, and have either not received a response, or have been told that their tours are booked for the day we are going to be spending in Reims (September 15th). Since we only have one day there, I want to be sure that we will be able to tour at least one house. Should I be concerned, or should I just relax and figure that we will be able to walk in (hoping that if they were booked, maybe they've had some cancellations)?? Thanks for your help!
Posted by
OP
New York, NY
13 posts
Thanks! I would love to have the info for the private tour company, and I was also thinking about having our concierge call for us when we get to Paris next Monday, so will try that approach as well (if necessary) Thanks again!
Posted by
New York, NY, USA
76 posts
Only a week away; I'd say it's pretty much hopeless at this point. The few (English) tours that they give are booked up months in advance. Most tours are French only. However, they do offer English, German, Italian, Spanish, and Russian but only on a limited basis. My only suggestion at this point is to ask the Concierge at your hotel to try to book this for you. The most effective way to book (for future reference) is to book your tour online with a private tour booking company. If you need specifics on these I could recommend a couple of them that I always use. They are all great and a real pleasure to deal with. The best champagne house in Rheims is the G. H. Mumm. Their tour is awesome! Moet & Chandon, if you didn't know already, is just down the road in Epernay.
Posted by
Grapevine, TX, USA
875 posts
Because of the nearness of your trip, you should probably just plan on going to one or two that do not require advance reservations. Taittinger has a good tour from their in-town location.
Posted by
Las Cruces, NM, United States
136 posts
It may be too late now, but I always used my Amex Platinum card to get me reservations in Paris Michelin-starred restaurants. Got some tough ones that way. Main reason I kept that expensive card...
Posted by
Fontainebleau, France
893 posts
Any way you'd be willing to take a chance on a telephone call? If you start out by explaining that you have a small problem (J'ai un petit problem)- that you are only going to be in Reims for one day and that you would like to tour their place. If they say it's not possible, ask if there's anything they can do (don't walk away after the first no.) If you also use all the niceties: Monsieur, Madame, Sil-vous-plait, etc. it is possible they will add you to an already full tour. Trying it in French is important. If you're lucky, they'll switch to English and you'll be able to plead your case. I've had good luck with stuff like this. Wanted to tour a candy factory in Nice and was told it was going to be forever for an English tour. Asked nicely if we could join the pre-booked tour from a tour company when they walked in 3 minutes later and they said yes. Good luck.