Anyone know Champagne?
 

We would like to take a day trip into Champagne (from Paris); which would be better - Reims or Epernay? We will not have a car, so from the train station we will need to get around on foot or by taxi... Any advice appreciated...

My husband and I took a day trip to Epernay by train from Paris a few months ago. The trip was about 1 hr. 15 min. It was easy getting around Epernay on foot, and there are some horse & carriage tours available. We had called ahead to Moet et Chandon to reserve a place on their tour, which was interesting, followed by a tasting. Laurent et Perrier is up the street and also requires reservations. There are several smaller wineries where you can do walk-in tasting. I haven't been to Reims, so I can't compare, but Epernay was an easy and fun trip.

We've been to Reims twice, once a day trip from paris, and the other spending 2 nights there. We have toured Pommery, Roederer (need an introduction from someone in the business so forget it unless you know someone), Veuve Clicquot (need a reservation), Piper Heidsick, and Mumm. In Epernay we have toured Moet and Perrier Jouet (think we like champagne. Of all the houses I liked Roederer the best, but Pommery is your best bet. I also preferred Reims over Eperney, the cathedral is gorgeous and worth the trip. My suggestion - take the train to Reims, go to Pommery and the cathedral, have lunch at the pedestrian section of town.

We also have been to both Reims and Epernay and having to pick just one for a day trip --I would also vote for Reims. <BR> <BR>Epernay is really a "champagne" only experience, while Reims has much more to offer beyond the tastings/tours. <BR> <BR>I agree wholeheartedly wtih Lori's suggestions on how to spend a lovely day in Reims.

I'd pick Reims over Epernay because there is so much more to see and do: the cathedral, museums, the Salle de Reddition where the Germans' surrender was taken in 1945, the Basilique St-Remi....but if the trip is purely for purposes of learning about the méthode champenoise and tasting champagne, it doesn't really matter (unless you have a favorite champagne).

How far is Reims from Paris? And what champagne "makers" are there?