Eventually when visiting France you will want to visit the beautiful city of Reims, located in the heart of the “Champagne” region. You can visit Reims on a road trip throughout France, or even as simply as visiting the city for one day as a day trip from Paris. Reims has a old past as it was founded as early as 80 BC. Whether you’re looking for a tour of the Champagne region or exploring Reims by traveling to Reims from Paris, this article is exactly what you’ve been looking for.
CHAMPAGNE TASTING IN THE CITY OF REIMS (& MORE!)
Photo credit: france-voyage.com
Most tourists visit Reims for champagne tasting tours and to visit the historical city center. The Reims Cathedral is made up of stunning stained glass windows and the Musée des Beaux-Arts of Reims has a remarkable collection. The restaurants in the city serve regional dishes and are for the most part all authentic. INSIDR’s favorite is L’Alambic. If you are looking for a light lunch on your day trip to Reims, there are also many nice cafés where you can sit outside in the Place d’Erlon. Read on to learn about champagne tasting in Reims, and don’t forget to book your Reims city pass here!
L’Alambic is located on 63 bis Rue de Chativesle, 51100 Reims
TASTE CHAMPAGNE IN REIMS
Scroll down to learn about the best and most prestigious champagne tasting spots in Reims…
Photo credit: visitfrenchwine.com
VEUVE CLICQUOT
The most iconic, popular and some would argue loveliest champagne house to book a champagne tour at in Reims is at Veuve Clicquot. For 25€ per person you can book the basic tour through the cellars followed by a tasting of the classic yellow label champagne. It is located just outside the center of Reims, but does not take very long to either take a bus or walk there (about 10 minutes). Booking in advance is a must as they do not accept walk-ins. Check out their website to view the different tour options and book yours!
Open Tuesday-Saturday, 9:30am-12:30pm and 1:30pm-5:30pm
1 Place des Droits de l’Homme, 51100 Reims
VRANKEN-POMMERY MONOPOLE
At Vranken-Pommery Monopole, the largest producer of rosé and second largest producer of champagne, you can visit the Pommery estate as well as its neighboring villa, Villa Demoiselle. For history coupled with champagne tasting, this is where to go. The estate is located about a 20 minute walk from the Reims Cathedral. Tours can be booked for either or both destinations on their booking site. Tours are only available in English.
Pommery estate: Open everyday, 10am-6pm through March and 9:30am-7pm starting in April
5 place Général Gouraud 51100 Reims
G.H. MARTEL
If you are looking for a more authentic and smaller champagne tasting from a family-run champagne house, visit G.H. Martel. The cellars this champagne house uses were dug in Reims between the 4th and 15th centuries! In only 15 minutes walking from the Reims Cathedral you will be able to learn about this family’s pride in their champagne production that dates back four generations! Be sure to book in advance via email to the following address: boutique@champagnemartel.com. Typical tours include tastings of three different champagnes.
Open everyday, 10am-1pm and 2pm-7pm
17 Rue des Créneaux, 51100 Reims
TRANSPORTATION TO REIMS
BY TRAIN
While Reims is the easiest and largest city to visit in the Champagne region, you can also visit the Moet & Chandon estate in Eperany, another city in the Champagne region that is easy to reach by train or by car.
To reach Reims by train from Paris, there is a direct train you can take from Paris Est to Reims in just 45 minutes. Tickets can be purchased online at sncf.com or in the train stations on ticket machines. Do be sure to buy your tickets in advance as the prices begin around 20€ each way and then increase as time passes.
BY CAR
The train from Paris Est is without a doubt the fastest route to get to Reims, but you can also rent a car and drive to Reims as a part of your road trip around France! Take the A4 from Paris and then exit at number 22. The easiest place to park is at the Reims train station. With your INSIDR smartphone you can easily navigate the streets on your way to Reims, stress-free even!