Reims with kids
 

Our family of five - three kids, ages 12, 11, and 11 - will be in Paris for a week in June, following a week in London. I'm considering a day trip to Reims, with a champagne tour/tasting as one of our two primary objectives. Visiting the Reims Cathedral would be our other objective. Obviously, our children would not do any champagne tasting, but I think they would enjoy seeing the caves and participating in a tour. However, I've checked my guidebooks, the Reims website, and this forum, yet I can't find any references to children on a champagne tour.

So, perhaps you can help me find these answers:
(1) Are kids allowed on the champagne tours?
(2) Even if they are technically allowed, is it acceptable?

Thanks for any guidance you can give me!

I took my kids when they were younger than yours, but that was more than a decade ago. At any rate, I can't imagine the French not wanting their children to learn about viticulture in general and the méthode champenoise in particular. Which champagne tour are you planning on taking? I'm sure the website would explain any restrictions.

Thank you - that gives me hope that we can take the kids. I've checked a couple of the specific sites (Mumm & Veuve Clicquot so far) and can't find any info on whether kids are allowed. However, I haven't e-mailed them to communicate directly with them - that will be my next step.

I appreciate your feedback!

They allow kids on tours like that, they want the business from tourists. They allow them on winery tours, also. The champagne isn't free anyway, you pay for it if you want it.

If I were you, I'd go to the Piper Heidsieck one in Reims. They have a little electric train that runs around the caves, and it's kind of a slick presentation, so I think it would be the most fun for your kids. After all, such tours can be pretty boring if you aren't interested in champagne making.

No problem to take kids, who will probably even be given a non alcoholic beverage to taste.

As others have said, I can't imagine the French being concerned about children seeing adults drink a flûte of Champagne. Since most people don't drink in the morning, might I suggest the Cathedral in the am?

Be sure to arrive at the Cathedral in time to buy tickets and get everyone settled with their translating headsets in order to see the world famous Astrological clock (starts its cycle around 11-11:30?? in time for the big finale at noon). Even children younger than yours would be able to follow along, as they spotlight each character/piece st it is discussed/performs. The Devil is quite impressive, as are the trumpeting angels, crowing cock etc. They used to take you behind the clock to see all the working gears, which was very impressive, but don't do that any more. Quel dommage! If your kids have experience with/learned about tides, seasons, equinoxes etc it will be even more meaningful.

This is great advice!

Klondike, good point on the sequence of events, and the details about the Cathedral are quite helpful.

And Christina, I'll check out Piper Heidsieck. The little train DOES sound like something my kids would like.

Again, I appreciate the help. Thank you!

it would have been good, but I just read online that Piper Heidsieck closed their venue in Reims, so do be sure to check that out. They have a website. They have some reviews of those champagnue tours on Tripadvisor

My daughter was either 11 or 12 when we did a champagne tour in Reims a couple of years ago. It was not an issue at all.

Piper Heidieck has sold their property, cellars included. They have moved to the outskirts of town. The wine is now stored in refrigerated warehouses

And I will confirm that Askar is an absolute authority on this subject.

;-)

OK - I'll check on the other sites then. I'm feeling better about taking the kids now. Hoping to nail down the final itinerary in the next week or so...