TisforTraveler

Hello! I know there are a few threads on this already, but most of them are several years old. I'm planning a day trip to Reims with a friend, and we would like to tour two of the champagne houses. I'm usually fine with internet research and planning, but I'm feeling kind of stumped in regards to this.

We don't want to spend a ton of money--I would say 30 per tour is the most we can afford. The websites for the houses don't always list the prices, so if anyone has been on these tours recently and could share their experience, that would be good. I think I've narrowed it down to these few:

GH Mumm --close to the train station, so that's an option for sure, but I'm not sure if it's really the best. It also seems affordable. Although it's close to the train, it seems to be pretty far from the majority of the houses.

Taittinger-- all really good reviews on this one. From what I can tell on the website, you don't need a reservation? Has this been your experience? I just don't want to end up screwed and not able to visit because I didn't book ahead. It also seems affordable.

Veuve Clicquot-- I can't find a price on their website, but some other forums make me think it might be more pricey than I want.

Pommery-- Also reading really good reviews on this. Seems affordable as well. I do see on the website that I need to request a time, which is fine.

I'm wondering if Taittinger and Pommery are my best bets? They are very close to each other, so I wouldn't have to worry about getting across town to make my appointment (as I might if I choose GH Mumm?).

I really appreciate any insights you have about this plan

Florida1

We toured Veuve Cliquot last summer. They had several different tours on offer, but we did the basic tour with a non-vintage tasting (1 glass). I think it was 20 Euros, but could have been 22 or 25. It wasn't over 30. It was well worth it. If the prices aren't listed, maybe email them. I thought they were online, but I think I remember having to dig on the site to find them. Do reserve ahead of time, at least for VC.

Judy

Veuve Clicquot is also close to Pommery. We went last year and, unfortunately, I can't remember the cost. I do remember they had a few different options for the tour.

We walked to Les Crayeres for lunch from Veuve Clicquot and had a nice meal in their brasserie (not the high-end restaurant)

kerouac

I went to Tattinger with my brother and sister-in-law when they visited. Actually, we just went to the tourist office next to the cathedral and asked them "when is the next English language tour that we can get to?" (SIL does not speak French.) The tourist office has a list of all of the tours and the times, and they sent us to Tattinger immediately. 10€ per person. The English language tour was starting in just 20 minutes, which would have been cutting it too close on foot, but I had a rental car that day, so it was no problem to get there in under 10 minutes.

If you arrive in Reims in the morning, I'm sure the tourist office would have no trouble at all finding the appropriate tours for you, including the cheapest ones if some of the others are overpriced. And you must absolutely visit the cathedral in any case. Going to Notre Dame-de-Reims is like visiting Notre Dame-de-Paris but with almost no other people there. It makes a really huge difference.

joannyc

I enjoyed the tour and tastings at G.H. Martel very much.

Here are the notes that were in my 2010 itinerary (don't remember where I copied them from):

"Gives a homey contrast to Taittinger's big-business style. Small operation with less extensive caves and w/o doubt the best deal in town! Most personal and best value tour."

17 rue des Creneaux

9 euro, 45 min tour w/ tasting of 3 different champagnes
Daily 10am - 1pm and 2pm - 7pm
www.champagnemartel.com

TisforTraveler

Thanks everyone for your quick replies!