Champagne is synonymous with Paris. How then, is it possible to visit the city of lights and not plan a day trip to the region where it all started? If you are a connoisseur of wine, this heavenly town will leave you wanting more. From visiting champagne houses and wine tasting sessions to witnessing the process of making this sparkly drink, you will have many interesting activities to look forward to.
Champagne Region - The Land of Sparkling Wine!
The region of Champagne is known for being the birthplace of the bubbly drink, Champagne. You’ll find all the world-renowned brands here: Moet and Chandon, Veuve Cliquot, GG Mumm, and Pierre Paillard- you name it, and you'll find dedicated cellars and vineyards for each.
Legend has it that monks originated the sparkling wine making process in Languedoc. When they traveled down to the Champagne region, however, they discovered that the chalky soil and climatic conditions added a special touch to the bright, bubbly wine!
The Champagne region boasts of ancient towns, castles, and abbeys against a scenic backdrop of vine-covered hills, serene valleys and pristine woodlands. Needless to say, when in Paris, a visit to this dreamy countryside is a must.
Let us help you plan your vacation to this picturesque location in France with all the must-knows of the Champagne region!
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Endless vineyards and picturesque villages of Champagne
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Walk through the vineyards of Champagne
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On your way, visit the world-famous Moët & Chandon cellars in Epernay
Why take a day trip from Paris to Champagne?
Picture this: an ancient landscape graced with old-time streets, towns, castles and abbeys. Driving past rolling hills, ever-stretching vineyards, and unblemished woodlands. If you still need reasons to visit this stunning region in France, read on:
Birthplace of the world-famous champagne
As the name suggests, the world-famous sparkly drink is said to have been invented here. Who wouldn’t want to know more about the history of this romantic drink? From museums and underground cellars to expansive vineyards, a once-in-a-lifetime experience awaits you on this day trip.
Just a drive away from Paris
Champagne is considered to be an ideal destination for a day trip from Paris because of its proximity. Located at a convenient location of about 121 km from Paris, it would also make for a beautiful ride. The distance between the two destinations can be covered in about 1 hour 30 minutes by car.
A myriad of historic locations
Contrary to popular belief, Champagne is not all about vineyards and wine tasting. Whether you visit Reims, Troyes or Châlons-en-Champagne, you'll find historical brilliance and rich heritage from the medieval and Renaissance periods.
UNESCO world heritage site
In the year 2015, the region of Champagne was declared a UNESCO world heritage site. The beautiful hillsides, the quaint houses and the lush greenery tell the story of years bygone, making for a historical day trip.
Best Day Trips from Paris to Champagne
Guided Tour from Paris to Champagne
If you're looking to squeeze in an 11-hour round-trip Paris to Champagne day trip, an efficient organized tour might be the way to go. This way, you don't have to worry about basic logistics (transportation, buying attraction tickets, etc.)
Self-Guided Tour from Paris to Champagne
If you're a culture vulture who likes to venture into a new land on your own, a self-guided visit to Champagne might be ideal for you. Rent a comfortable car and drive your way through the serene streets of France at your own pace, making pitstops wherever you deem necessary.
Planning your own day trip is no piece of cake. Allow us to help you craft your itinerary from scratch, with some of the must-try experiences in Champagne:
Best Paris to Champagne Day Trips
1Get to know Veuve Clicquot better
Tour your way through the vintage Grande Dame, a champagne house founded in the year 1772 by one Philippe Clicquot. Needless to say, a mandatory champagne tasting follows, where you’ll be able to pick yourself a bottle to take home.
2The iconic Moët & Chandon tour
This champagne is most popular for being the “official beverage” for many historical events including The Cannes Film Festival. It is easily one of the world’s most famous champagne brands, and a visit to these cellars is a stellar experience (ending with a glass of Moët Imperial).
3Stop by the Avenue de Champagne
If you’re driving through the Champagne region and want a touch of history, visit the Avenue de Champagne. Stretching for about half a mile, this street once housed many tunnels and caves. Today, you’ll find many Champagne houses on the streets built with outstanding architecture that represents their respective brands.
4Visit Beaune
Visit the classic Burgundy village of Beaune, famous for its world-class vineyards, Romanée-Conti, Pommard, and Meursault. When here, pay a visit to the Hospices de Beaune and enjoy a visit to the local cellars and restaurants with multiple wine tastings and great views of the Grands Crus Road.
5Pay homage to Dom Perignon
While you're enjoying Champagne's finest alcohol, don't leave the region without paying tribute to the man who invented this wonderful drink- Dom Perignon Head over to the quiet little village of Hautvillers and pay your respects at Dom Pérignon’s grave in the église saint-sindulphe Abbey.
Best way to get from Paris to Champagne
The distance between both regions is roughly 122 km (76 mi) and the most popular way to get to Champagne from Paris is by train. The other travel option includes driving there. The road distance is about 150 km (92.7 mi) and you're guaranteed a scenic driving route.
| Mode of Travel | Time | Cost | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Train | 1 hour 35 min | from $45 - $80 | Fastest route |
| Car | 1 hour 45 min | $19 - $29 | Cheapest way |
| Organised Tour | 11 - 12 hours roundtrip | from $250 (all inclusive) | Seamless, no hassle travel |
Going from Paris to Champagne - All your options listed
Paris to Champagne by train
The fastest and most economical way to reach Champagne is by train. There are two train services that run locally from Paris to Champagne throughout the day:
Swiss Railways (SBB/CFF/FFS): from Paris-Est to Épernay & SNCF:
- Timings: Every 4 hours
- Cost: $50 - $95
- Duration: 1 hr 20 min
Paris to Champagne by car
Traveling from Paris to Champagne by car is one of the more scenic transportation options, especially if you're thinking of driving yourself. Another major benefit is that you can stop on the route wherever you like. But perhaps the best part is that driving is your cheapest option!
Organized tour
You can avoid the hassle of planning the day trip by simply booking an organized tour. No more waiting in lines, worrying about planning a step-by-step itinerary and arranging travel from scratch. Soak in the best of the scenic region with this guided tour from Paris to Champagne. Take your pick of organized tours from Paris to Champagne here.
Best time to visit the Champagne region
Summer is typically a good time to visit the Champagne region. The fall harvest begins mid-September, and this is when the champagne houses are at their busiest. The most ideal time to visit Champagne would be in August, where you’ll find respite from the heat in the cool champagne cellars! Another great time would be to go just after the harvest is complete and the fall colors are still intact. Your cheapest option would be to go in the winter, and you’d save a bunch on lodging. But most champagne houses are closed in winter and the weather is dull, so this is not recommended.
Where can I eat in the Champagne region?
Here is a list of must-visit eateries in the Champagne region with our recommended must-try dishes:
This restaurant literally translates into “the dish of Champagne”, giving you quite the list of dishes you could pair with your drink. Definitely try the blue lobsters and white truffles, both signature dishes at this restaurant.
Literally translating into “the silver grapes”, this gourmet restaurant is located between Reims and Épernay. A mere 3 km from the houses of Moët et Chandon, make sure you try their Champagne escargot with mushrooms, lardons and ratafia sauce.
Located in Châlons-en-Champagne, this restaurant is near Notre-Dame-en-Vaux. Find delights like partridge roasted with peanuts and scallops with choron sauce in this classical restaurant that is frequented by tourists and locals alike.
Overlooking Place de République, this establishment offers quite the view. With local dishes and seafood pouring out of the menu, your best bet is ordering oysters and champagne (a local favorite).
Walk along Reims’ Les Hautes Promenades and slide into Le Foch, a family-run restaurant. You’ll want to try their veal, oysters, mussels, foie gras, and periwinkles here, paired perfectly with your choice of champagne.
Where can I stay in Champagne?
If you're thinking of extending your trip for another day or two, here are some of our hotel recommendations.
The most affordable options can be found near Reims’ famous cathedral. The Novotel Suites is located in the heart of Reims with an en suite accommodation, free WiFi, and a fitness room.
Starts from $200/night
At the edge of Reims is Chateau de Rilly, a castle hotel located by the vineyards. With a gorgeous back terrace that overlooks a fountain and garden, you are promised quite the view.
Starts from $250/night
For an excellent splurge, go for a room at the Domaine Les Crayères, a hotel with floral decor and exuberant grounds. Designed in a luxurious French style, you’ll feel spoilt from beginning to end.
Starts from $400/night
Shopping in Champagne
When you're back to Paris from Champagne, you're going to want to remember this remarkable region. The best way we know how is to pick yourself up a couple of souvenirs from Champagne. Needless to say, you'll be getting yourself a couple of bottles of champagne -- why go to Champagne if not to bring home a few bottles for yourself? Along with this, we recommend you buy some biscuit roses, a favorite snack to complement your champagne. You can pick this up from anywhere in Champagne, but we recommend you visit the Fossier factory in Reims for the whole experience.
Day Trip To Champagne: Tips, Guidelines & More
- Travel: If you decide to travel from Paris to Champagne by yourself, the easiest way to do so is to take the train. Both the major points of the region, Reims and Épernay, are accessible via the train. Trains ply back and forth quite frequently, so don’t worry about missing your train.
- Stick to the basics: If this is your first time in the area, do not be too ambitious. Champagne is made up of 5 small areas, but stick to Reims and/or Épernay- they are the major points in Champagne and can be reached easily by train.
- Do your research: If you opt for a self-guided tour, you may be overwhelmed by the sheer number of champagne houses you come across. To avoid wasting time, do your research and decide which ones to visit before you embark on this journey.
- Decide which regions you want to visit: Champagne consists of at least five different regions. Even though these regions are relatively small in size, it would not be possible to cover each and every region in a single trip. Therefore, if you opt for a self-guided tour, make sure that you do your research beforehand.
- Drink like the locals do: Remember the three steps of alcohol tasting: swirl, sniff, and sip to identify the flavors.
- Carry a few snacks: Wine tasting in Champagne is not like wine tasting in Napa Valley. Wineries usually invite guests to drink, relax, and eat. In Champagne, however, most wineries do not offer food, which could be problematic when you've been drinking all day. Carry light snacks with you on your trip to munch on throughout the day.
- What to wear: Most tours of the region include trips to the underground caves where champagne is aged. While this makes for a very interesting experience, make sure that you dress comfortably. These caves can get quite cold, so don’t forget to carry a light jacket or shrug with you.
- When to visit: If you are looking to beat the crowd, you should avoid the harvest season (late summer) at all costs. The months of October and November would be ideal as you get to avoid the throng of tourists while still being able to enjoy the vineyards.
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