Champagne is the easiest wine region to visit from Paris: Reims is less than two hours away and Épernay only half an hour further. In one day you can tour historic cellars carved into chalk, taste at a famous house and a small family grower, and see one of the great Gothic cathedrals of Europe. Here is how to plan it.
How far is Champagne from Paris?
Reims is about 145 km from central Paris, roughly one hour and forty-five minutes by road. Épernay, home of the Avenue de Champagne, is around 30 minutes south of Reims. The high-speed train reaches Reims in about 45 minutes, but the houses, vineyards and villages are spread out, and you will not want to drive after a tasting.
Reims: cathedral and the great houses
Notre-Dame de Reims
Where French kings were crowned for centuries, the cathedral is a UNESCO World Heritage Site with remarkable sculpture and stained glass, including windows by Marc Chagall. Allow 45 minutes.
The chalk cellars
Several of the great Champagne houses age their wines in deep chalk pits, some dug in Roman times, now listed by UNESCO as part of the Champagne Hillsides, Houses and Cellars. Houses such as Taittinger, Pommery, Veuve Clicquot and Ruinart offer guided cellar tours with tastings. Ruinart, founded in 1729, is the oldest established Champagne house.
Épernay and the vineyards
The Avenue de Champagne in Épernay is lined with grand houses, including Moët & Chandon. Between Reims and Épernay, the Montagne de Reims vineyards and villages such as Hautvillers, where Dom Pérignon lived, offer views over the vines and smaller growers who welcome visitors for tastings at very fair prices.
A one-day itinerary from Paris
- 8:30 Pick-up at your Paris hotel
- 10:15 Reims Cathedral
- 11:15 Cellar tour and tasting at a Reims house
- 13:00 Lunch in Reims or in the vineyards
- 14:45 Hautvillers and a family grower tasting
- 16:30 Avenue de Champagne, Épernay
- 17:30 Drive back to Paris, arriving around 19:30
Why a private driver makes sense here
Champagne is about tasting, and French drink-driving limits are strict. With a driver, everyone in your group can enjoy the visits, you can buy bottles without carrying them on a train, and you can mix big names with small producers that are hard to reach otherwise. Our private Paris to Reims and Champagne trip is one fixed price for the whole vehicle, with the driver waiting all day.
Practical tips
- Book cellar tours in advance, especially on weekends and from May to October.
- Cellars are cool all year round: bring a light jacket.
- Many smaller growers close on Sundays; check before you go.
- Harvest takes place from late August to September: a beautiful time to visit, but some houses limit tours.
Frequently asked questions
Can you do a Champagne day trip from Paris?
Yes. Reims is under two hours away, which leaves time for the cathedral, two tastings and Épernay.
Reims or Épernay: which is better?
Reims has the cathedral and the famous chalk cellars; Épernay has the Avenue de Champagne and easier access to the vineyards. A private driver lets you do both in one day.
Do I need to book tastings in advance?
Yes for the major houses. Smaller growers are often more flexible, but a call ahead is always wise.
Plan your Champagne day
Tell us which houses you would like to visit and we will send one fixed price in writing. See the Reims & Champagne trip · All day trips from Paris