Hi,
My husband and I want to go on day trips to some of the great wine vinyards and do the tastings, eat the food and just take in the beautiful countryside. We are staying in Paris and was wondering if anyone has tips for getting to these vinyards or recommendations.
Thank you!
A day trip tour (you've asked specifically about day trips) to the Champagne region is easiest in terms of travel time from Paris. You can tour a Champagne cave right in Reims, convenient for a day trip from Paris. Or go to Epernay. Rick describes both in his book France.here are prior discussions here of this
Burgundy is just to the south of Paris.. very easy to get to..by car or train. We always drive down from Orly.. get our car from here, pick it up at Orly and drive south on the A6. The back roads of Burgundy are beautiful.Wineries everywhere. Chablis is right off the expressway not too far, and you can drive or take the train down to Beaune past the scenic Burgundy canal area. Wine safari takes tours from Beaune and there are many tasting cooperatives in Beaune.....see Steves' France book.Flavigny.. where some of the movie Chocolat was filmed has a little winery with tastings in English.Actually there are too many places to mention, but it is an easy drive from Paris. If you are interested in places to stay in Burgundy send me a PM. We photograph every Fall in the area and it is a lovely area to experience.
Trisha - unless you have a car, day trips to France's great wine regions are tough. Champagne, as Kent mentions, can be done but not to the actual vineyards (easily). Burgundy and the Loire are the next closest but require cars.
There is a vineyard on Montmarte, however...
I'd suggest hiring a tour or rescheduling so that you can stay overnight.
If you ever wish to take a tour on the golden slope in Cote d'or (Burgundy) my guests enjoyed Authentica Tour with Nicolas. You can book through the tourist office. Tours start from Dijon. http://www.dijon-tourism.com/uk/dijon_visites_authentica.htm
Wine and Voyages get good reviews on tripadvisor
http://wineandvoyages.com/index.html
From Beaune, Burgundy Discovery with David and Lynn are appreciated as well http://www.burgundydiscovery.com/
and also Burgundy on a plate makes wine tours
http://www.burgundyonaplate.com/index.html
And if you like architecture and history don't miss Dijon centre and museums!
Have fun!
corinne www.myhomeindijon.com
Last year I googled for day trips out of Paris, specifically to Giverny. However, there were tons of bus tours to the wine area, especially Champagne region. It is about one and quarter hours from Paris. It has train and TGV access. You could take a train and rent a car at the station or try a bus tour. If you go to Champagne by car, research when things are opened. I have been doing that lately, and alot are open only on weekends. Don't go when everything is closed.
Another good option is the Loire valley, home of Chinon and other great wines, plus all the castles.
