Where is Gare d'Est?
 

I can't find an address on Google, but truthfully, I didn't check out every page........

Would TGV's to the Champagne area go from this station? I checked SNCF this AM and departure says "Paris East."

Is Reims a small enough town to walk all around and is the train station in town or out of town? Would I need a cab to get to Moet, for instance? Are the champagne houses walkable one to another?

Merci!

joy/luvparee

Gare de l'Est is in north-central Paris. Type <b>gare est paris</b> in Google and hit &quot;Maps.&quot;

For schedules, I use http://reiseauskunft.bahn.de/bin/query.exe/en

Reims TGVs will leave from Gare de l'Est

Reims is walkable but the Champagne houses, at least the most famous of them like Moet et Chardon are about 1.5 miles from the train station - buses go - to me that is walkable but to you?

The world-famous cathedral, where French royals were crowned, is a short enough walk from the station. Right near the station is the War Room from WWII where Allies plotted final invasion of NaziLand - tables and maps on wall left as they were.
Several are group together but after a visit to the tasting room of the first one tippling to the next may be a better word.

I thought Moet et Chandon was in Epernay, not Reims.

it's in the 10th rue du 8 mai

I've walked to most things I wanted to see in Reims from the train station, but I didn't go to champagne houses, they are a bit farther, And it was a lot of walking. YOu could walk to one that is closest, as PalQ notes.

Reims isn't a town, it's a city and the population is around 200,000

Travel time from Paris starting on June 10th will be 45 minutes.

You might also find the Paris transport map and planner useful for getting to Gare de l'Est:

http://www.ratp.info/orienter/cv/carteparis.php

About 4 or 5 blocks or one metro stop from Gare du nord.

Indeed Alec is right. Moet et Chandon is in Epernay not in Reims. You can get a taxi easily to Epernay - or a bus.

Many champagne houses are walkable to each other in Reims - but they are not exactly next door. I would just pick two to see. The tours in the bigger houses get quite monotonous.

Here's a M&eacute;tro map (with streets): http://www.ratp.info/orienter/f_plan...eur&amp;fm=pdf

Thank you all so much for your helpful information. I saw yesterday on a Reims website that there are four champagne houses fairly close to each other so I will pick two so that I can find my way back to the TGV and back to Paris rather than ending up somewhere on the mountaintops in the Alps in my bubbly state!

One more question... do I need to make a reservation for each or does one just walk in and join an ongoing tour?

Thanks again!

joy/luvparee

According to Daytrips France (my copy is copyright 2000) Veuve Clicquot is by appointment only. The others (Pommery, Taittinger, Piper-Heidsieck) seem not to but have varying schedules and seem to be open every day. It is suggested you check at the tourist office which is located at 2 Rue Guillaume-de-Marchault right next to the cathedral. A jacket is suggested - the cellars are about 50 degrees.

Alec - most large Champagne houses have houses in both Reims and Epernay. It's my impression that Epernay is the real epicentre of the Champagne industry and its houses and tours a bit more prestigious than Reims. Not sure bout that but that's what i've heads.\

Which brings up the question - if the bubbly tours are all you want Epernay is much smaller than Reims, which Christina points out is a fairly large city, and the houses within easy walk of the train station - most right in town centre.

Note that many houses are closed noon to 2 or so when planning your excursion.

Make sure your TGV goes to the Reims station, some will go to the new TGV station Champagne-Ardenne, which is 5 km from Reims. You can get a taxi from the Reims station to the Champagne houses, the only one really walkable would be Mumms.

This site has all you need to know, &amp; more about the visits. http://www.maisons-champagne.com/tra...s_reims_gb.htm

I would check before going for a visit what time the English tour is (or whichever language you speak)- they don't usually run all day.

Reims centre is small enough to wander in from the train station. Most (or all?)of the kings of France were crowned at this Cathedral.

I forget the name, but try the pale pink biscuits that are to serve with champagne, most shops in the center sell them.