Before joining our Heart of France Rick Steves' tour, we took the train directly from CDG to Reims. We stayed 3 nights to recover from jet lag and enjoyed the city very much. A correction to the guide book: Taittinger champagne cellars are open daily (at least through the main travel seasons) with tours every other hour in English. This was a great tour deep into the chalk caves. Also some who showed up without reservations were turned away. It was easy to make the reservation online before we left. We bought the second level ticket which gave us a second tasting. It was a good investment as the second level of champagne was so much better than the first! I recommend also Le Grand Café just across from the train station. Better than some of the restaurants in the book. It was just past harvest season for the grapes so we enjoyed the tasting temporary exhibit set up on the main street. The cathedral is amazing and we enjoyed the museum of surrender showing the actual signing room. Seniors are admitted free. Although the guide book suggests Reims as a day trip out of Paris, I would recommend at least one night stay to enjoy all of the sights. We did not have a car but found it easy to walk to everything.
Posted by
Toledo, Ohio, US
11613 posts
Thanks, Ruth, I loved Reims and spent three nights there, wish I had stayed longer. The champagnes changed my daily itinerary to accommodate champagne breaks twice a day. That was in addition to meals.
Posted by
Birmingham AL
346 posts
Ruth and Zoe, where did you both stay? And where would you suggest for accommodations? We like small boutique hotels and B&Bs and guest houses. There are 4 of us. Thanks!
Posted by
Tucson
4183 posts
We stayed at Les Telliers. It is in a great location. Everything is within walking distance. The owner is delightful and very helpful. They do have cats that may need to be removed from the dining room chairs at breakfast time.
Posted by
OP
5 posts
I believe we stayed at the Continental Hotel - right across from train station. Our room and bathroom were large - even included a sofa. However it was on the first floor so noisy when bars let out at night on weekend. The hotel is in the Rick Steve's book on France. With 4 you might do better to find a house.
Posted by
Toledo, Ohio, US
11613 posts
I stayed at Hotel Cecyl something, it was a good hotel but on a pedestrianized street with lots of late-night noise, and no a/c. A room away from the street would have been great. I looked with envy at a Best Western just across the street.
Posted by
Tel Aviv
15781 posts
Besides Taittinger, I toured nearby Martel. The tours were different enough to make both interesting, one after the other. Don't miss the basilica, just a few minutes' walk from Martel.
The Mercier tour in Epernay is the most fun. Epernay is easily reached by train from Reims and worth a 1/2 day visit. While Reims is the "home" of champagne and where the great houses began, Epernay is where they all are now.