Which would be better for a day-trip into Champagne (from Paris) - Reims or Epernay? Any thoughts/recommendations?

I did a day trip to Reims and it was quite easy and lovely. I don't know if you are an American Express Platinum Card holder, but they have a Concierge service. I called them and asked if they could arrange for a private tour of one of the Champagne producers. They wound up setting us up on a FREE private tour of Veuve Cliquot which was <BR>great. We then took a taxi into town and had a lovely lunch in a local cafe (drinking plenty of good, well-priced champagne) and then walked around the pretty town and took an easy train back into Paris. There is a top 5 star restaurant in the town (can't remember the name) where the lunch, I am sure, is a "bargain" (Concierge service at American Express can give you the name an probably book the table). If you don't have the card, you can probably write them and see if they will give you a tour anyway. Good luck.

We did both in one day and did not feel rushed. We went by train to Reims in the morning. We visited the cathedral and a pretty major stroll of the downtown area and did a visit to the "Maxim's" champagne cellars which has a very interesting film, and a self-guided tour of their museum featuring displays of old tools, etc. There may be better tours, but some were closed and others required a reservation, although we thouroughly enjoyed Maxims especially after we took a more complete tour later in Epernay. We then took the train back to Epernay, where we had a wonderful lunch then did the Moet tour and walked up and down the street that has lots of the big cellars on it. We were back in Paris by about 4:00. Could have done another tour, but felt that two was enough. <BR>And you get two towns for the price of one, since you can get off at Epernay on the round trip ticket from Paris to Reims.

to the top for s(swandav) - - searching "Platinum" - - and as you can see, it wasn't Patrick who mentioned it. <BR> <BR>Postscript: If this forum had an easier way to locate and direct readers to a specific (previous) posting by a unique identifier (timestamp), it would not be necessary to top (and repeat) information so tediously. This is my new crusade, and I am thinking about adding this postscript (when applicable) to every new reply I make here. If you agree with me, then please write to Danny Mangin or David Downing - - [email protected] - - and encourage them to move forward with this improvement (and any others they have up their sleeves) to this best-on-the-web travel forum!

The top rated establishment whose name has escaped is probably Les Crayeres, owned/run by Gerard Boyer. 3 Michelin Rosettes, 19/20 in Gault Millau, stellar reviews for the elegance and comfort of the hotel as well. In top ten in France, many people's numero uno. Prices well under similarly feted establishments.