sjs07f

I'm planning a trip in March to Paris with day trips to Champagne (touring Veuve Clicquot and Moet & Chandon) and to Strasbourg. My question is to those of you who have taken a similar trip or are familiar with the train system in France.

We'd like to leave Paris early in the morning and arrive in Champagne(Epernay or Reims) mid-late morning. After a full day of wine tours, we'd like to depart for Strasbourg. We'd spend that night and the full next day in Strasbourg and leave for Paris in the late evening, arriving back in Paris that night.

What is the quickest way to get to and from each of my destinations and what website (if any) could I use to book it?

Michael

The TGV goes between Paris and Reims. There is also a line (I do not know if it is the same) between Strasbourg and Paris.

StCirq

To book, use www.voyages-sncf.com. If you don't read French, put your ticketing country in as Anartica to avoid being shunted to the RailEurope site, which you DO NOT want (higher prices, incomplete schedules) or use www.ccapitainetrain.com.

StCirq

sorry, www.capitainetrain.com

gthenewsgirl

Wow. Jealous. Have a GREAT time. Many, many of the champagne houses are closed during my upcoming visit. Insert sad face HERE.

FrenchMystiqueTours

Take a TGV train from Gare de l'Est in Paris to Reims, which will arrive at the Champagne-Ardenne station outide of Reims and from there I believe you get to the city center via tram or bus (not sure). Go back to the Champagne-Ardenne station and take another TGV to Strasbourg.

PalenQ

there are some direct trains from Paris-Est station to Reims - central Reims without having to change at the new TGV Champagne--Ardenne station several ksm south of town - but usually you change to a regional train that links TGV arrivals to downtown Reims - so it is all by train and one train ticket is all that you need - ditto for Reims to Strasbourg - have to change at the TGV station after taking the shuttle train from town to connect.

PalenQ

Not sure how stop-offs work but think you will have to buy two tickets - one to Reims and then Reims to Strasbourg - and if you get discounts keep in mind they are train-specific and unchangeable non-refundable so be sure you have enough, but not too much, time allotted in Reims or pay a lot more for full-fare fully flexible tickets than can be changed subject of course to their being empty seats on the train you are changing to.

dulciusexasperis

Why VC and M&C? Ruinart and Pommery would be my top pics for a visit in Rheims. Ruinart requires an appointment, Pommery does not.

nytraveler

You need to check into how to get from Reims (on the TVG) to Eparnay if you want to see Moet et Chandon. (Veuve is in Reims)

We did it - but by car - so can;t give specific advice.

Also - have you checked that the houses will be open on your dates?

PalenQ

Trains trundle between Reims and Epernay frequently.

many houses are closed for a few-hour noon break or once were so check that as many are a few miles from the train station and city center though there is at least one right behind the train station.

I'd judge a Champagne tour by the caves visited as well as the prestige of the bubbly - some caves have works of art in them. I believe Moet-et-Chandon is one.

dulciusexasperis

And here I was thinking the way to judge any tour was by the quality of the information they imparted and the feeling of your visit PalenQ.

Some are little more than a canned speech half the people don't understand, a quick taste of something they have too much of on the shelves still and a hint that you should buy something.

Take the tour at Ruinart next time you're in the area PalenQ. It's a very different experience.

Judy

I agree that the Ruinart tour was well worth the cost and the tasting was wonderful! I liked Ruinart for the information and quality of the champagne we were served and Pommery for the art in the caves.

lateinlifetraveler

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