Reims and Epernay..time?
 

Hi how much time is a trip to these from Paris.. a whole day? leaving early in the morning.. ok well say 9..it is vacation after all!..Is Epernay worth the extra train trip?

Not sure exactly what you mean. ARe you asking if this can be done as a day trip. It's possible - but you won;t see a whole lot.

the best source for train schedules is the German rail site - bahn.de - which covers all europe for schedules (but can;t give prices outside Germany).


We enjoyed Eparnay - toured Moet et Chandon - and stopped briefly at the Reims cathedral. But we were doing a road trip - and on the the way from the Black Forest to Paris - and it was a long day.

I've done Reims as a day trip from Paris, and that was really easy and I enjoyed it. I saw the main things I wanted to see in that day, although I could have spent a little more time if I had wanted. Reims isn't that far from Paris by train. I wouldn't ever go to another city for a day trip if I didn't intend to spend the whole day there. My only exception might be a place that is a single attraction in itself (like Versailles), but I've spent the whole day on that trip, also.

I did not stop in Epernay on my trip to Reims, though, but I'm not particularly interested in champagne.

Reims is certainly the most attractive city in the Champagne. The cathedral is impressive (but in Paris you have Notre-Dame and Sainte-Chapelle...).

To be frank: The main point to make a day trip into the Champagne will be a tour of one of the Champagne caves. You can do this in Reims, in Epernay or in one of the smaller towns.

Many wineries offer such tours, and they all are good. My favourite is Launois in Mesnil-sur-Oger, but you need a car to go there.

Reims is a very doable day trip. Once there you can do a little exploring, go to the Cathedral and do maybe 2 or 3 caves. they are all within walking distance. I recommend Tattenger.

I am not interested in champagne, and I completely disagree that the main point of going to that region must be to see a champagne cave. Reims has other interests, as do I, and is an important city in France historically. That is just one person's opinion that this must be the main reason to go there on a day trip. I planned my trip with no intention to go to a champagne cave, and I knew full well what I was doing and I knew a lot about Reims and French history.

Christina- Can you suggest alternitives to the champagne tours in the Reims and Epernay? We will have a car and don't mind a drive.