Hi. We're headed for France in the next few weeks. We'll be staying in Paris but want to take a side trip to the Champagne area for the day (not an overnight). What is the best way to visit the famous wineries without a car? Are tours available from Paris for the day? Help!
Posted by
Pearland, TX, USA
852 posts
Hi Lois,
You may find the answers in these:
1. On this RS web page [at the top right]search box type in "Winery Tours, France"...
2. at www.Google.com click on WEB, then type in "winery tours from Paris"...
bon voyage!...
P.
Posted by
Seattle, WA, USA
20 posts
I did a day trip from Paris to both Reims and Epernay in 6/06--definitely do-able as a day trip. I took the train, which limits you to houses that are within walking distance of the station. But on the up side, no designated driver needed. There's a TGV.
All wineries close in the middle of the day so I planned one am visit, one pm visit. I'm not sure you could get better coverage in a car.
I started in Epernay, which is farther east, did a morning tour of Moet-Chandon (and had 2 glasses). Then I took a noon-ish train to Reims and spent the "closed" time having lunch and visiting the glorious cathedral and la Musee de la Reddition, which is where Germany unconditionally surrendered to the Allies. I was in the first pm tour of Mumm and had another 2 glasses. I was back on the train and on my way to Paris by about 5. Four glasses of Champagne by 5 pm, I love being on vacation!
Bon voyage! If you have Q, please feel free to email me.
Posted by
victoria, Canada
11507 posts
Erika looked like she planned it perfectly,, but if you want to look up a bus tour, there are two well known companies that have english websites and may have tours( daytrips).
Cityrama and Parisvisions.
Posted by
Bend, OR
576 posts
As Pat suggested, there are the tour bus companies. Normally, a tour bus is the last thing I'd want to do. However, in this case, with all the free champagne they give away, it was a great idea (we didn't get lost...) We went to a little out of the way village champagne house that was fabulous and had one of the best meals ever. We loved the tour and had a, fun, relaxing day.
Posted by
OP
Ventura, CA, USA
96 posts
Thank you everyone for your suggestions.
Posted by
Odessa, FL, USA
94 posts
We just got home from Paris last night. On Tuesday we took the 8:57 train from Paris to Reims (45 minutes). Walked around the city, did a little window shopping, and toured the Cathedral (one of the most impressive we've seen in Europe, btw). Then we strolled to the a brasserie that Rick recommends which is on the way to the House of Mumm. We left our books behind in Paris for other travelers or I would give you the name of that restaurant. We thought it was one of the best meals we had during our two week stay in France.
We did the 2pm tour at Mumm then got back to the station for a 4:15ish train back to Paris.
If you're more industrious than we are, Erika's itinerary sounds excellent.
One other point: We booked the Paris Shuttle for our airport transfers, which I highly recommend. Thank goodness we did because due to the nationwide transportation strike, we probably couldn't have gotten to Charles DeGaulle yesterday for our flight home.