When thinking of France, a few things come to mind. Other than the Louvre and the Eiffel Tower, sipping world-class bubbly straight from the source and exploring vineyards and centuries-old cellars are some of the other joys often sought after when visiting. Luckily, this is all achievable just a quick hop away from Paris.
With easy train rides and self-guided tours whisking you from Paris to Reims or Épernay in under two hours, you can trade crowded cafés for sprawling champagne houses, clinking flutes and the kind of scenery that’ll flood your camera roll.
Is a day trip to Champagne from Paris worth it? Absolutely — if you do it right.
For those who hate rigid itineraries but still want the inside scoop — like which family-run vineyards offer the best tastings, how to skip the tourist traps and when to splurge on a fancy tour vs. DIY-ing it, this guide should be helpful for you.
Getting There: Your Best Options for a Paris to Champagne Day Trip
So, you’ve decided to trade Parisian pavement for vineyards and world-class bubbly. Before you can start popping corks, you’ve got to figure out the best way to get there.
How to get to Champagne from Paris?
Luckily, Champagne is surprisingly accessible from Paris, whether you prefer a quick train ride, the freedom of a car or a stress-free guided tour.
Here’s everything you need to know to pick the right option for your champagne-fueled adventure.
Option 1: Taking the Train (Fast, Easy & Car-Free)
Best for: Independent travelers who want to avoid driving, enjoy scenic rides and maximize tasting time.
So, what is the closest Champagne region to Paris? That would be Reims.
Paris → Reims (45 min by TGV)
- Departure Station: Paris Gare de l’Est (central and easy to reach).
- Train Type: TGV (high-speed) vs. TER (slower regional train). Paris to Champagne train time? Always choose TGV as it’s just 45 minutes vs. 1.5+ hours on TER.
- Tickets: Book in advance on SNCF Connect (official site). Prices start at €20–€30 one-way, but last-minute tickets can double.
- First Class? Worth it for just a few extra euros for more space, quieter cabins and power outlets, plus, if you’re tipsy on the way back and want to be comfortable.
Arrival in Reims:
- The train station is small and walkable. 15-minute stroll to the cathedral or 5-minute taxi to major champagne houses (Pommery, Veuve Clicquot).
- Tip: Pre-book cellar tours as most big houses (Ruinart, Taittinger) require reservations.
Paris → Épernay (~1.5 hours, 1 change)
- Why Épernay? It’s the heart of champagne production, home to Moët & Chandon and the famous Avenue de Champagne (a must-see for bubbly lovers).
- Train Route: Usually involves a quick change in Reims.
- Arrival: Épernay’s station is a 5-minute walk to the champagne strip, so it’s super convenient.
Train Perks:
- No traffic, no parking stress and you can drink as much as you want.
- Downside: Limited to Reims/Épernay as it’s harder to reach smaller villages without a car.
Option 2: Renting a Car (Freedom + Scenic Drives)
Best for: Explorers who want to visit off-the-beaten-path vineyards or combine Reims/Épernay with countryside stops.
The Good:
- Total flexibility: The Paris to Champagne drive allows you to stop at tiny family-run producers, scenic viewpoints and lovely villages like Hautvillers (Dom Pérignon’s hometown).
- Buying champagne? Paris to Champagne by car means no luggage limits so you can load up your trunk — or as much as you’re allowed to bring back home with you!
The Bad:
- Driving in Paris is hell. If you must rent, pick up your car at CDG airport or wait until Reims (Enterprise has a location there).
- Parking in Reims/Épernay is a headache (and expensive).
- Speed cameras everywhere — French police don’t mess around.
Option 3: Joining a Guided Tour (Zero Stress, All the Bubbly)
Best for: Those who want to relax, avoid logistics and get insider access, along with first-time visitors who want the full experience or groups celebrating (birthdays, bachelorette parties, etc.).
Why Consider a Tour?
- No planning needed: Transport, tastings and lunch are handled.
- Visit hard-to-reach spots (like Abbey of Hautvillers or exclusive growers).
- Safe drinking: No worrying about driving after tastings.
Types of Tours:
- Day Trips from Paris (~€200–€300): Includes round-trip transport, 2–3 tastings and lunch.
- Private Driver in Champagne (€400+): More flexibility, VIP treatment.
- Private Tours from Reims: Meet at the train station, explore with a local guide.
Which Option Is Best for You?
- Take the Train: You’re solo or a couple, want a quick trip, and plan to stay in Reims/Épernay.
- Rent a Car: You’re with a group, love road trips and want to explore hidden gems.
- Book a Tour: You’d rather relax, drink freely and not worry about a single detail.
Need more day trips from Paris? Here are 6 day trip from Paris!
Must Visit Locations
While there are plenty of quaint villages scattered throughout, Champagne, France, splits its personality between two star cities: Reims, the historic coronation capital with grand champagne houses, and Épernay, the quieter, vineyard-drenched home of Moët & Chandon. Both deliver world-class bubbly — but with totally different vibes.
Reims
Best for: History buffs, cathedral lovers and those who want to tour the most famous champagne houses.
Top Champagne Houses (Book Ahead!)
- Veuve Clicquot
- Why go? Their crayères (ancient chalk caves) are UNESCO-listed and the tour dives deep into the ‘Widow Clicquot’s’ legacy.
- Tasting tip: Splurge on the ‘La Grande Dame’ experience for their prestige cuvée.
- Cost: €35–€70.
- Ruinart
- Why go? The oldest champagne house (1729), with cathedral-like cellars and exquisite Blanc de Blancs.
- Secret: Their ‘R de Ruinart’ brut is a steal at €45/bottle in the shop.
- Cost: €60+.
- Taittinger
- Why go? Cellars sit under 13th-century abbey ruins. The ‘Comtes de Champagne’ tour is a top visit.
- Pro tip: Skip the basic tour — go straight for the ‘Prestige’ tasting.
- Cost: €30–€90.
- Pommery
- Why go? Part champagne house, part modern art gallery (think neon-lit tunnels and installations).
- Don’t miss: The ‘Crayères’ tour ends with a glass of their vibrant Brut Royal.
- Cost: €25–€50 (reserve here).
Tips for visiting these locations:
- Harvest Season (Sept–Oct): Book everything early — tours sell out and roads jam with grape trucks.
- Sunday Closures: Many small growers shut on Sundays. Stick to big houses if visiting then.
- Speed Cameras: They’re everywhere if driving. Set your GPS to alert you.
- Reims City Pass: Free transit + cathedral tower access + discounts at houses (~€30).
Where to Eat in Reims
- L’Épicerie Au Bon Manger: A gourmet deli with insane charcuterie boards and rare grower champagnes by the glass.
- Le Foch: Michelin-starred splurge with champagne pairings (try the lobster with Pommery sauce).
- The Glue Pot: British-owned bistro with Reims’ best steak frites and a deep champagne list.
Beyond the Bubbly
- Notre-Dame de Reims Cathedral: Where 25 French kings were crowned. The smiling angel statue is iconic.
- Palais du Tau: The royal palace next door, packed with coronation robes and treasures.
- Marché du Boulingrin: A covered market for local cheeses, pâté en croûte and pink Reims biscuits (dip them in champagne!).
Épernay
Best for: Vineyard views, Moët’s glamour and walking along the legendary Avenue de Champagne.
Top Champagne Houses
- Moët & Chandon
- Why go? The largest champagne house (30 million bottles/year) and home of Dom Pérignon.
- Tour highlight: Their 28km of cellars include Dom’s original abbey.
- Cost: €30–€120.
- Mercier
- Why go? Ride a mini train through their cellars (great for kids or tired legs).
- Fun fact: Their giant barrel held 200,000 bottles and was paraded through Paris in 1889.
- Cost: €25 (walk-ins often available).
- De Venoge
- Why go? A hidden gem on Avenue de Champagne with a lavish tasting salon.
- Must-try: Their ‘Privilege’ Blanc de Blancs.
- Cost: €20 (no reservation needed).
Hidden Gems Near Épernay
- Hautvillers: Dom Pérignon’s village (10min drive). Walk the flower-filled streets, visit his abbey tomb and sip at Champagne Desruets.
- Pressoria (Aÿ): A sensory museum about champagne (great for nerds). Taste rare bottles in their futuristic lounge.
- Verzenay Lighthouse: Climb for 360° vineyard views, then hit the quirky champagne museum inside.
Where to Eat in Épernay
- Sacré Bistro: Hip spot with champagne cocktails and crab rillettes.
- La Grillade Gourmande: For meat lovers (their côte de boeuf feeds two).
Beyond the Bubbly
- Avenue de Champagne: A mile-long street lined with Moët, Perrier-Jouët and more. Pop into shops for free tastings.
- Château de Pierry: A 10-minute drive to this fairy-tale mansion with vineyard tours.
For Reims Visitors:
- Parc de Champagne: A sprawling park with champagne-themed gardens. Free entry.
- Boutique Trésors de Champagne: Taste champagnes from 28 elite growers in one sleek Reims tasting room.
For Épernay Visitors:
- Château de Saran: Moët’s private castle (open for lunch by reservation).
- Oeil de Bouzy: A vineyard viewpoint with panoramic views. Bring a picnic bottle!
Reims in a Day
- 9am: Train from Paris → Reims (45min).
- 10am: Tour Veuve Clicquot.
- 12pm: Lunch at The Glue Pot.
- 2pm: Visit Notre-Dame Cathedral.
- 3:30pm: Tasting at Club Trésors (small growers).
- 5pm: Train back to Paris.
Épernay in a Day
- 8am: Train from Paris → Épernay (1.5h, change in Reims).
- 10am: Tour Moët & Chandon.
- 12pm: Stroll Avenue de Champagne, pop into De Venoge.
- 1:30pm: Lunch at Le Jardin d’Épernay.
- 3pm: Taxi to Hautvillers (Dom Pérignon’s village).
- 5pm: Train back to Paris.
If you’re looking for big champagne houses, history and city vibes, check out Reims. If you want vineyards, Moët and the ability to walk around and taste as you go, head to Épernay. Make sure to wear your comfortable shoes as cellar tours involve stairs!
Extra Champagne Experiences If You Have Time
Sabrage at a Grower’s House
- Where: Champagne Le Gallais (Boursault) or Champagne Collet (Aÿ).
- What: Learn to open a bottle with a sword. Most big houses don’t offer this — but small growers will, with fewer crowds.
- Cost: ~€50 (includes the bottle you saber).
Fossil Hunting in Champagne’s Ancient Seas
- Where: Cave aux Coquillages (Fleury-la-Rivière).
- What: A quirky underground museum where you’ll hold 45-million-year-old fossils — proof Champagne was once an ocean. Pair it with a glass of local bubbly.
- Pro Tip: Book the ‘Fossils & Champagne’ tour (€25).
The Perching Bar (Treetop Bubbly)
- Where: Verzy Forest, 20min from Reims.
- What: Sip champagne on a swing suspended in the trees, overlooking the vines. Only open seasonally — check their website
- Best Time: Sunset (they provide blankets).
Local Foods You Must Try
- Pink Biscuits de Reims: Dunk these raspberry-dusted cookies in champagne.
- Andouillette: A divisive sausage (it’s… funky). Best at Brasserie Le Boulingrin (Reims).
- Langres Cheese: Washed in champagne, this creamy stinker is perfect with Blanc de Blancs.
When back in Paris, check out our top 5 must-see Parisian attractions.
Navigating Without a Car
Let’s be honest, after a few champagne tastings, you shouldn’t be driving, but how do you explore without wheels? Here’s the lowdown on walking, taxis and ride-shares in Reims and Épernay.
Walking: Doable, but only in the Cities
Reims
- The Good: Most big houses (Veuve Clicquot, Pommery, Taittinger) are a 15–25 minute walk from the cathedral.
- The Bad: Sidewalks exist, but cobblestones after drinking can make you wobbly.
Épernay
- The Good: Moët, Mercier and Perrier-Jouët are all on one street.
- The Bad: It’s a mile long — pace yourself (and your bladder).
- Tip: Start at De Venoge (less crowded) and work your way to Moët.
Don’t Even Try: Unless you REALLY like walking, don’t bother walking between villages. There are no sidewalks and grape trucks are flying by.
Taxis
Reims
- Taxis can be scarce, especially on weekends.
- Step into a hotel to ask them if they can call one for you.
- If need be, go to Reims train station and grab one from here.
- Taxis generally cost between €15–€20 for short trips (they charge for driving to you first).
Épernay
- More taxi-friendly than Reims.
- Main taxi stand at Épernay train station with a few others near Place de la République.
- Call ahead or ask a hotel or restaurant to call one for you.
- Taxis generally cost between €8–€20 (and, like Reims, some charge for driving to you first).
- Carry cash as some drivers don’t take card.
Uber
- Reims/Épernay: Usually available, just not often in the early, early morning.
- Villages (Bouzy, Hautvillers, etc.): You might get one there, but you should speak to the driver about getting you on the way back as you might struggle to get back otherwise.
- If visiting small growers, ask them to call you a taxi post-tasting.
Best Photo Opportunities
- Moët’s Golden Gates (Épernay)
- Veuve Clicquot’s Yellow Door (Reims)
- Hautvillers’ Flower-Filled Streets
Conclusion
So, it’s time to book your Paris to Champagne region day trip. Book your train tickets, reserve 1 to 2 champagne tastings, pick some lunch spots (and reserve them) and then save taxi numbers or download Uber in case you’re running slightly late for your train back to Paris.
Consider mixing some big names plus small producers to try a range of Champagne wines!
If you’ve come this far and have decided that you can from Paris to Champagne by train by yourself but would like to book a tour for when you’re there, consider a French private tour guide. With a GoWithGuide tour guide, you can customize your entire one day trip from Paris to Champagne to suit your interests. Get chatting with one today to see how they can make this day trip one that you will remember for a lifetime. Your Paris day trip to Champagne awaits!
You can also learn about some tourism in Paris statistics to make your trip to Paris even more insightful.
