shormk2

Will be in Paris this November for a week and will be taking a day trip to Reims. I am looking for suggestions as how to best schedule the day so as to see the Cathedral and two or three champagne houses.

After taking the TGV from Paris, arriving in the morning, would you tour the Cathedral first? Then, make an appointment for one Champagne house, lunch, then another before back to Paris?

Which Champagne Houses would be best to visit and easiest to access given that we will not have a private car- I'm assuming taxis are readily available?

letsgeaux

We toured the cathedral first, then went to Martel, Pommery and Veuve Cliquot. All three have excellent tasting rooms. We scheduled a tour of Veuve Cliquot weeks in advance. They take you down into the old Roman limestone caves where the bottles are stored. We took the city bus to Veuve and Pommery which are right down the street from each other. The bus stop for the champagne houses is in front of St. Remy, another old gothic church that is worth a look.

shormk2

Thanks, letsgeaux!

I'm definitely looking to schedule a visit to Veuve. Any thoughts on Moet & Chandon or Taittinger?

gailscout

I have been there 3 times, once as a day trip. I enjoyed Veuve and Pommery the most. Martel was interesting for being a smaller producer. Really enjoyed touring St Remy as well as the Cathedral. Don't forget to book lunch as well.

We took the earliest train there and the latest back. We walked to the houses from the train station as we enjoyed the town, but busses seemed to be a good alternative. You must book Veuve in advance.

gailscout

Book lunch at Les Crayeres Le jardin Brasserie. Outstanding!!

nytraveler

We toured Moet et Chandon in Eparnay. Not sure if they are also in Reims.

shormk2

Thanks everyone! I appreciate the suggestions on Houses and for lunch!

PalenQ

Moet et Chandon is in Reims - at least it was when I toured it several years ago - Epernay is the more prestigious Champagne town and the flagships of the Champagne industry are all here and in Reims as well it seems.

Epernay is much smaller than Reims so basically offers just a smaller town with little especial to see or do as Reims does outside of its Champagne houses.

Austint

That is not correct. Moët & Chandon was founded in Epernay and has always been located in Epernay.
They do a very nice tour, but beginning October 1, 2014 their caves are closed for a one year renovation.

PalenQ

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZKO1UmcfIUA

This shows Moet et Chandon caves in Reims - right?

Judy

shormk2, we are going to Reims from Paris mid-October. In the past we'd been able to book the TGV from Paris to Reims, a 45 minute direct journey, 3 months prior to the trip.

When I tried to book 3 months out for this trip, all I was seeing were regional trains with tranfers in Champagne Ardennes on the way there and Epernay on the return, anywhere from 1.25 hours to 2+ hours.

Last Friday 8/8, the direct faster TGV became available for 10/14. Just be aware you may have to check frequently to get the trains you want. We finally got round trip 1st class PREM tickets leaving Paris 7:43 AM and returning 6:05 PM for 25 euros each

When we visited Moet and Chandon it was in Epernay. We've also visited Pommery & Ruinart. This trip we'll visit Billecart-Salmon and Veuve Clicquot. Pommery, Veuve Clicquot and Ruinart are fairly close together so 2 of those would make a nice combination.

denisea

Moet e Chandon is in Epernay. It is right across from the Hotel de Ville. Not sure why the video has it listed in Reims.

Smeagol

Moët et Chandon is in Epernay. Pal I was there not that long ago, it definitley isn't in Reims.....

There are many fantastic champagne houses in Epernay.

I would second Veuve Cliquot and Pomerry and DO visit the cathedral, it's fabulous. However do check that the champagne house is open as some close in the winter.

Smeagol

FYI its a very easy walk from the Cathedral to VC.

PalenQ

Smeagol - denisea - thanks for correcting my memory - think I mixed up Mumm's with Moet - ah too much bubbly too early in the day!

Funny thing Google of Moet et Chandon and Reims brings up several listings for Moet with Moet-et-Chandon, Reims - perhaps greater Reims is what they mean.

anyway sorry for the brain malfunction.

Austint

You should book your Veuve Cliquot visit soon as they do sell out.
Ruinart has a very nice tour but it was a bit long. It was 2 hours when we went. It was also 70 euros.
Mumm also does a tour that is reasonably priced.

The You Tube video is labeled incorrectly.

denisea

You know PalenQ, if you had brain fuzz because of French Fizz---that's a good thing and never apologize for that!

Judy

The Ruinart tour, while a bit more expensive, served valuable vintage champagnes. We thought it was worth the price.

Patty

We thought the Ruinart tour was worth the price as well. However it is longer than most of the other tours.

joannyc

I liked Martel. Smaller house and more intimate than the biggies. And a better value for money, you get tastings of 3 different champagnes. And very friendly and funny guides.