AmiLynn

We have decided our 1-day side trip from Paris will be spent in either Epernay with a stop at Moet & Chandon Champagne house, or in Reims with a stop at Mumm Champagne house. We know nothing about either. Can we take a train from Paris to either Epernay or Reims and will we be able to walk to either Moet or Mumm from the train station? Are cabs available in both towns? Do you have a preference to which is better, Epernay or Reims?
Thank you!

No_name

I did this trip a few years ago and from what I remember - Yes you can take a train. It was an easy ride. We only went to Reims and we took a cab but we didn't go to Mumms. It was easy to get a cab. I don't remember the wineries being within walking distance to the train station.

indytravel

I was in Reims March of '05. I took the train from Paris. It was an easy walk for me around the town. Less then a mile from the train station to the Mumm Champagne house which I toured. If you are there any day but Sunday there's a bus that loops through most of the tourist sites and the train station.

Here's a link to my trip report.

http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=34595516

No_name

Be sure to see the Cathedral while in Reims.

Michel_Paris

Also did Reims. Easy walk from station up to cathedral which is worth a visit. Next to cathedral is tourist bureau. Across the street is good wine store that has nice selection of champages. We walked to Taitinger cellars, about 20 minutes. Good tour, cellars are in undergorund ruins of old abbey and roman chalk mine. We took cab back to station since we were in a rush and loaded down.

Nina66

A few years ago we saw both cities and both champagne houses. plus Pommery in Reims, and several other sights.

We were based in Paris for 5 weeks and had a Rail/Drive pass.

We arranged for all of our car picks up from home, Avis I think and picked up the car at the train station office.

After a full, but easy day, we had a nice dinner and returned the car to the office at the station (I don't remember if we picked it up in one city and returned it in the other or returned it to the pickup city. After a very nice dinner, we took the short train ride back to Paris.

You can do the same thing by arranging a one day rental from home - check comparable rates Avis, Hertz, etc.. It was really a lovely day and although we enjoyed Mumms and Moet, my favorite was Pommery. We brought home an exquisite bottle of Pommery, and later shared it with recently wed friends - the husband was French and was delghted with our choice.

Pomery has some beautiful frencos (sp) that were for the workers' pleasure.

It probably won't cost much more for the car, as you have to add in cabs, time spent getting there etc... It is a very doeable day, enjoy yourselves.

Nina

ParisEscapes

I also visited Reims a few years ago. I took the train, and walked around the city. I didn't find a need to use cabs or rental cars - the city was very compact. I also visited Tattinger and the chalk cellars were amazing. The cathedral is also worth a stop. It was a great daytrip from Paris.

KrunkoDallas

So the basic gist of this is (if I may intrude on AmiLynn's post), a train ride to Reims is completely feasible...hence no need to book one of the more costly 'tours' that pick you up at your hotel. We would like to visit there, but don't want to be stuck on the generic tour.

Are there days better than others to visit (i.e., closed on such-and-such days)?

Thanks!

kellyee21

We took a day trip from Paris to Epernay by train, very easy. We walked everywhere, to Moet, Mercier, and a couple more I can't remember now... No need for cabs. Can't compare it with Reims as I havent been there yet.

Carlux

We actually drove to Epernay (we live in France) but I see from the SNCF site that it is an easy trip, with a number of trains, from Paris to Epernay. We enjoyed the town, especially seeing the caves (Moet and others, built directly under the town, and therefore easily accessible - entrance on the main street.) Had a good lunch in a small place with a bottle of Rose champagne, which set us up for the afternoon tastings!

Michel_Paris

If you could go tomorrow (if only , there are trains leaving Paris-Est at 8:40, 11:16 and 12:13..and others, travel time is 1:40, returning to Paris could be at 17:19 (direct), 17:24, 17:31, 18:33..and others. Fare is E22.10 one way second class.