laurie_ann

The only thing I would look into is whether what you want to do in Champagne is open on the day you would like to go. When I looked into it for another off season trip it seemed like many cellars, etc. were open for visiting only on weekends.

denisea

I believe that O Chateau offers a Champagne day trip. You might also check out David Liebovitz and his calendar for food tastings, etc...also, check Paris by Mouth for their wine tours, etc...

Maybe a private tour of Opera Garnier?

maryanntex

A friend and I went to Reims on our own this summer, and really enjoyed it. Be sure to check in advance to see what days/times the tours are. Ruinart was closed the entire time we were in Paris, so that wasn't an option for us. We took an early morning train and then took the bus to Taittinger. That afternoon we went to Lanson and took the light rail back to the train station. We visited the cathedral and ate lunch in between. I've copied below an email that I got from a friend who organizes wine tours in France.

The easiest wine-related day trip from Paris is to Champagne, which is less than an hour away by fast TGV train. The Champagne houses are large and well-equipped for visitors, and the visits are impressive. Some of the interesting Champagne houses like Moet et Chandon are in the town of Epernay, but the train goes to Reims, so it makes more sense to visit the firms that are in Reims if you don’t have a car. The cathedral in Reims is large and quite historic, worthy of a visit. After you do the cathedral and a Champagne house or two, the only other attraction that I find compelling is the Musée de la Reddition, which was Eisenhower’s HQ at the end of WWII, and it’s where the Germans surrendered to Eisenhower. In terms of choosing which Champagne tour(s) to try in Reims, the splashiest promotion that lures a lot of people is to Pommery, but I would skip that one – it’s very commercialized. Ruinart is a good tour – it’s the oldest one. Taittinger is good. And visiting Lanson can be special – it’s smaller, and on many days you can go into the production areas and watch the bottling machinery operating up close, which very few houses let you see. However the production side is not open to visits every day, so it pays to check with them for the day you want to go. You could combine a Champagne trip with a visit to the World War I battle sites near Verdun about 70 miles east of Reims. You’d need a car to get there, though. The history of trench warfare is grim but interesting.

Johnangiulo

Lunch or Dinner at Taillevent. Will set you back $$$$$$ and will need to bring a coat and tie but food that is incredible only match by the service. It is classic traditional 3* (now only 2*) french meal. We go there every time we are in Paris. a real treat. Need to make reservations before you arrive in Paris (the hotel can help) or on line. Here is the link.
http://www.taillevent.com/

Scootoir

Bookmarking . . .

oliolin

If you do have a car and don't mind being a designated driver to Epernay, you will find a lot of smaller family-run Champagne wineries, and that can be a great experience of its own.

The big champagne houses are really quite magnificent (G.H.Mumm, Moet Chandon at Reims, Mercier at Epernay) - walking through long underground caverns filled with bottles, hearing the explanations about Champagne production, and, of course, the tastings - is quite an experience.

Have fun!

PalenQ

Trains run frequently with a designated driver to both Reims and Epernay.

nukesafe

That comment made me chuckle, Pal! Well said!

Judy

We've enjoyed several tours of Champagne houses. I think that one only needs to tour the caves only once if it is a day trip. You can visit a second or third for tastings but most of the cave tours are similar. I liked the art in Pommery.

We've been there with a car and without. I actually liked not having a car better and using taxis once in Reims....less worry about how much champagne the driver is tasting

Maudie

I would love to know a little more about the suggestion of lunch at La Maison Fournaise, I looked it up and it sounds like a really nice thing to do, how would you get there? Is it an area you would have a pleasant walk around then enjoy lunch at the restaurant?

welltraveledbrit

If he likes history consider one of Context Travel's walking tour. They have an incredible variety and use very well qualified guides, often graduate students or academics.
They will run any of them as a private tour. There's everything from food to wine, to architecture and history.
http://www.contexttravel.com/city/pa...-walking-tours

FrenchMystiqueTours

Maudie - To get to Maison La Maison Fournaise you take RER A to Chatou-Croissy and then walk less than a kilometer to the restaurant. Look at google maps and you'll get the instructions to walk between the two. If you're going out there I would make a day trip out of it and visit the Château de Malmaison (where the Empress Josephine lived) in the adjacent town of Rueil-Malmaison and combine it with a lunch at La Maison Fournaise. The old downtown of Rueil-Malmaison is worth a visit as well. Look at the tourist office website for Rueil-Malmaison for the logistics of getting there and getting around as well as what to see and do. Stop at the tourist office when you arrive and they'll answer all your questions and help you plan your day.

http://www.rueil-tourisme.com/EN/

You can also look at this thread which discusses getting to Rueil-Malmaison and dining at La Maison Fournaise:

http://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowTopic...de_France.html

Maudie

Many thanks FrenchMystique, sounds like it could be an interesting excursion, though the restaurant gets some pretty brutal comments for its food. I will check out the information you have provided. Much appreciated.

StCirq

I have eaten at La Maison Fournaise several times. I wouldn't call myself a gourmand like some on this forum, but I do like good food and have never had a bad meal there. It's really just ordinary, good bistro-type food, much of it very palatable. If you're a Michelin restaurant addict, I suppose you'd scoff at it, but it's no worse than you'd get at some famous Paris haunts like La Coupole. Anyway, it's the setting that makes it special. I don't think anyone should go there expecting haute cuisine.

Maudie

We too just like good food, certainly not gourmands! Just mum and pop type places. It sounds like it might be a lovely days outing. DH wanted to go back to Monets Garden but this might be just perfect.
Thanks for your replies.

StCirq

There would be virtually nothing to see in Giverny in February, except for Monet's house of course.

PalenQ

See the house from the outside of course as the house is only open Mar 29 - Nov 1 this year according to the official site.

lauren_s_kahn

Make a reservation at the Pre Catalan restaurant in the Bois de Boulougne. Go for lunch. It's a lot cheaper than dinner would be.

See my piece on my lunch there in 2001 if you want to read about my experience. I guarantee that is unlikely that my experience will ever be repeated by anyone: http://altecockertravels.weebly.com/...-in-paris.html

tomboy

Maybe a half day Michael Osman walking tour (February can't be too busy), plus he could give some ideas.

di2315

What an experience, lauren! You were truly blessed; thanks for sharing it with us all, Di