DreamingEurope

My biggest dream is to visit a vineyard in France. We are planning a day trip from Paris to Champagne.

Do we choose either Epernay or Reims? Or can we do both in one day?

When we visit the "cellars" such as Moët and Chandon...do we get to see and walk along the actual vineyards and grapes??

Any suggestions where we can walk along the vines, visit the cellar and taste all at the same place?

Thanks!,

Robert2533

"When we visit the "cellars" such as Moët and Chandon...do we get to see and walk along the actual vineyards and grapes?? " No, you get to visit the cellars.

Everything is pretty much controlled in the Champagne region, although you will be able to see the vineyards.

HappyTrvlr

The Moet cellars tour is very interesting, down in the historic cellars. You'll drive by the various vineyards. Try to include Reims as well as Epernay.

teacherCanada

A few years ago Mercier Champagnerie near Reims offered an excellent tour of their caves - followed by a tasting (and the opportunity to purchase product).
tC

bilboburgler

Well there is small vinyard in Paris http://www.guardian.co.uk/travel/200...rds-montmartre

If Champagne is your bag then you will quickly find that the tourist trade is focused on the towns of Epernay and Reims (pronounced Rence as I'm sure you know), because the production kit is so very expensive and of course because the wine is a blended wine from many fields.

If you want to see vines the best way is to go to Epernay Tourist Office, hire a bunch of bikes and wizz off to the fields. If you want to taste a lot of wines in a short time go to Epernay (by train) and walk up to the Avenue de Champagne then stumble up and down the line of Grand Houses.

this may help
http://www.mybikeguide.co.uk/Champagne_Cellars.php

rhon

Will you have a car or will you be coming by train? We spent a week in the region last year but for us it was not just about champagne. We did the Moet et Chandon tour which we enjoyed. You see the extensive cellars and have a tasting at the end. There are different levels of payment depending on how many champagnes you wish to taste. You will not see the vines on the tour. To see the grapes growing you need to get out into the country as has already been mentioned. We also stopped in Oger and visited a small producer, saw his cellars and bought our champagne for the week there. Very good and much less strain on the credit card!! With only a day, I would choose one place to visit.

Have fun.

crazyfamilyof4

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StCirq

<<pronounced Rence as I'm sure you know>> Well, that's only a fairly close approximation of how it's pronounced. Here is the real deal: http://fr.forvo.com/search/Reims/

And as mentioned, no, you can't go walking through the vineyards; you can drive by. The tours are of the cellars.

bilboburgler

StC the UK news has been discussing the recent gas explosion in "Reems" all week, so I was trying to push back a little.

FrenchMystiqueTours

Choose either Reims or Epernay. Both are too much for one day. You won't see any vineyards from Reims. In Epernay if you walk outside of the town center to the outskirts you'll see vineyards lining the slopes of the valley. I doubt you'll be able to walk through them since they are private property but you never know. The idea to rent bikes and ride in the area is a good one. Look at this thread for more info:

http://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowTopic....html#48953605

Goldens

Renting bikes is an excellent idea and I think that Epernay would be the best choice.
If you are interested in a tour O Chateau runs an excellent day (long day) trip to Epernay from Paris to the champagne region. It is expensive (190 euros ) but it includes lunch and very informed guides. You go in a mini-van and your guide will be an expert.

You can do it yourself by taking the train to Epernay. Book the Moet and Chandon tour, it is great. You can them walk down Avenue Champagne and just stop at the various small houses.

StCirq

Too funny, Bilbo! (and by the way, congratulations! Haven't had time to respond to the honeymoon thread yet).

annecd

We were in Paris last week, and did a trip with Paris Champagne Tours (www.parischampagnetour.com)that included a trip to the vineyards. We were picked up in front of our apartment around 7:30 am by a small van (seating 9 altogether, driven to Reims and the vineyard, then a tour of a small supplier, then lunch, a tour of the Reims cathedral, then a tour of the Mumm caves. It was a great way to see Champagne country, and our guide Trong was very knowledgeable. He invited us all back to pick grapes in the fall (but only if we could commit to 5 days of picking). Price was 160 euros/person and included everything, even lunch in a Reims restaurant.

flsd

I've toured the Mumm cellars twice (different traveling companions) and thoroughly enjoyed it. The guides are very knowledgeable and accomodating. As for seeing the vineyards, I've done that only in Provence.

yayoye

I'm doing a day trip to Epernay on my own. I've arranged for a tour in English of Moet et Chandon by using their website. There is also a family run winery that will pick you up at the tourist office in Epernay and take you to their vineyards for a tour and a tasting - very reasonably priced at 25 euro.

http://www.champagne-domimoreau.com/...ue_presse.html

I am planning on taking a train from Paris at around 8 am which should give me time to do a tasting at one champagne house (smaller no tour - yet to be determined) in Epernay, then do the Moet tour, then lunch, then the vineyard tour and back on the train to Paris.

Hope your trip works out.