Hello! We are traveling to France in early March and want to day trip from Paris to the Champagne Region. I want to see Reims Cathedral, and possibly the Museum of the Surrender, too. We will not have a car, just utilizing trains and cabs.

Personally, I really haven't had a glass of champagne that I didn't like, so I'm not set on a specific vineyard. I did read that Veuve has a lovely tour with great cellars and info. We're looking for history, cellars, information on the process, etc. I'm also not sure where our time of year lines up with the harvest season. I'm still researching this excursion.

I'd love any recommendations for Epernay, Reims, and any vineyards that are must-sees for a basic intro to Champagne! I know we'll only have time for 1-2 vineyards, as well as the above sites. I definitely want to make it count, but not be so rushed that we can't really enjoy ourselves.

Thanks so much!

Well, in neither Reims nor Epernay will you be visiting any vineyards but both have plenty of champagne houses you can visit. Reims ia a large city and the vineyards are in the countryside outside of Reims. The vineyards aren't too far outside of Epernay and you can rent a bicycle to get a view of them or take a cab. However, since you'll be visiting in early March the vineyards will be bare anyways so there is really nothing to view. If you haven't researched them already then look at the tourist office websites for both places:

http://www.reims-tourism.com/

http://en.ot-epernay.com/

Epernay also is hard - but if you just go to Reims to see those things in city center then go right away to Epernay OK.

But though Epernay's I believe is the real capital of Champagne production you have pretty much the same Champagne houses in each city - been to both and Reims as good a tours at least as Epernay.

Anyway book trains at www.voyages-sncf.com for guaranteed reserved seat and potential discounted fares. check www.seat61.com for that - general info about trains www.budgeteuropetravel.com and www.ricksteves.com.

Champagne houses used to be closed often 12-2 so check times to better plan day.

I'd just do Reims.

Harvest season would be in early fall.
So glad you want to see the cathedral and the Museum of the Surrender. We spent 3 days in Reims (SIL was sick), but didn't visit one vineyard ! You see one, you've seen them all kind of thing !

You see one, you've seen them all kind of thing !>

Vineyards yes but Wine Houses and caves no - the caves are the attractions and some have veritable works of art in them and houses can be more ornate. Veuve Clicquot does have a great reputation.

We visited both Epernay and Reims but stayed overnight near Epernay. We had a wonderful visit to the historic Moet e Chandon in Epernay. The property is beautiful and the visit down in tne old cellars was so interesting. Even Napoleon cisited them according to a plaque. Champagne was served in tne tasting room hpstairs at the end of the tour. Epernay is a charming town.
The Cathedral in Reims is outstanding, particularly due to the colorful stained glass windows by Marc Chagall that replace lost ones.
The Museum of Surrender is excellent and you should plan a visit there.

We are booking the Veuve Clicquot tour. I also want to see the Reims Cathedral. We are going by train after arrival for our first night. Then on to Verdun the next day. I suppose a taxi will be the best way from the train station. There are trams but not sure if they go there. Does anyone know? We are hoping to do some tastings at another house.

Thank you all SO much! Once again, fellow Fodorites always come through with excellent advice.

Perhaps I misspoke (mistyped?) when I typed "vineyards." I meant houses, or homes of these world-renowned brands of Champagne. I have been to Napa Valley and Sonoma, in California, so I assume it will be similar to that. Each house/vineyard/brand has a rich history, as well as grounds and (usually) an estate. At Francis Ford Coppola, for example, we saw FFC's Oscars, as well as the desk from The Godfather, and had a great tasting. Sterling had an aerial tram that took us high over the vineyard. We're only taking one day to explore, so I want to ensure we select the ones chock full of history and interesting grounds. I can always rely on Fodorites for great advice from their own experience.

PalenQ, thanks for the train links, and reminder to check open times! And, if I'm judging based on what I saw in California, each house/brand couldn't be more different. I think we'll enjoy our day more with only the train to/from Paris to Reims. Your practical advice is very helpful.

FrenchMystiqueTours, thanks for the links! I'm clumsy anyway, let alone after a glass our two of alcohol, so I'm going to avoid the bicycle tours. Haha. It would be beautiful during harvest, though.

Bedar, sorry your SIL was sick, but nice to hear that you enjoyed the museum and Cathedral! Maybe the rows of grapevines are all the same, but the houses and caves were all extremely different in California.

Macross, it seems like Veuve Clicquot would be interesting, especially given that it was started by a woman. I did read to book that one in advance, given it's popularity. That's definitely one on our list, as is Mumm and even Taittinger.

HappyTrvlr, I'm not sure if it'll be worth going to Epernay to see Moet and Chandon, as we only have one day (and no car). I'll check train tables, though. I would like to experience it as it all begin with Dom Perignon, which I think I read is owned by Moet. It might have to be saved for another trip.

Again, thanks so much, everyone!

My niece who is the expert said Taittinger would be good to check out. Time is always the problem. I have to decide between the two. We will be a bit jet lagged that day but intend to taste as much as I can. Cheers!

There are trams but not sure if they go there.>

Buses used to so still do if tram doesn't. But to maximize time hop a taxi - if time a nice enough walk of about 1.5 miles -most houses being clustered together.

The experience is nothing like Napa where there is a tasting room on the grounds of the vineyards/estate. Again, you will just be visiting the houses as the vineyards/estates will be nowhere near them. However, some of the large houses will do tours of their cellars. The tourist office websites provide weblinks to all the major houses. You might find the following website very helpful: www.champagnediscovery.com

You should also have a look at the Reims/Epernay/Champagne forums on Trip Advisor as there are a couple of champagne experts that often respond to questions on those forums. One of the most frequently asked questions is which houses to visit in Reims and Epernay and detailed descriptions and opinions of visits etc. are usually given.

FrenchMT tells you as it is.

Tattinger NV has lousy bubble retention, try and stick at least to Moet et C ;-)

The TGV from Paris to Reims only takes about 45 minutes. From Reims-Centre, the tram goes to the cathedral. The tourist office is right there in the cathedral square and has all information about the champagne house tours and timings.

I only did this once when my brother and his wife visited (she didn't speak French), and they indicated an English speaking tour that was starting in 30 minutes. We had driven to Reims that time, so it wasn't hard to get there quickly, but without a car, I'm sure they will also have suggestions if the schedule is tight. I believe the tour was to Taittinger and it was excellent. I don't think you will need to worry about retaining bubbles. They will be in your stomach.

to be fair the Tattinger visit is good, just the wine is little "cosi cosi".

I'd try and visit Epernay, mainly for the Avenue de Champagne itself, the street is very pretty and lit up with LEDs at night, there is also a sort of slow moving show in the summer evenings that perambulates along it, but your timing may not fit.

The Cathedral of St Remi is one of the most beautiful places I've seen in France. Personally, if I had to make a trade, I choose it over the Museum of the Surrender, but that's just me.

Reims Cathdral is quite a sight, but St Remi is something else altogether.

You can easily get a bus there, but it might be good to have a taxi number for the ride back. The museum next to St Remi would probably call you a taxi.

There were three of us on our trip to Reims. One of us took a champagne house tour while we other two went to St Remi. Even she thought we had the better experience.

If you go to the Reims Cathedral, don't miss the Palais du Tau next door. As with many European cathedrals, the "valuables" are no longer in the church but are in a museum nearby.

Most of the surviving original cathedral sculptures and building ornaments and all of the church's treasures (Talisman of Charlemagne, Chalice of the Coronation, etc.) and ancient tapestries are housed in the Palais. There is also a collection of photographs and artifacts about the bombing of the cathedral in WWI.

I don't think you will need to worry about retaining bubbles. They will be in your stomach.>

When I was visiting Reims twice-yearly on business years ago not every Champagne tour gave free bubbly at end so check to see if yours does! Half the fun IMO.

One of the most memorable days we've ever spent was a day trip from Paris (via train) to Reims. We toured Taittinger, visited the cathedral, and had a four-hour fabulous lunch at Les Crayeres. It was a "dress up and splurge" day and was a highlight of our trip.

That is how I feel!! 20 euro for their tour. We will drink at some of the bars that evening. I do want to see both cathedrals and we are hoping the rains let up soon. Feb 8th is fast approaching.