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It has always been a dream of mine to visit the Champagne region of France, so when I finally got the opportunity, I had to choose between two must-visit places: Épernay and Reims.

I was torn about which one to visit, but then I realized—I could do both! Here’s how to plan a day trip to Epernay & Reims in Champagne, France!

Reims and Epernay in a Day

I’m going to walk you through exactly what I did from start to finish so you can follow the same itinerary.

Part One: Paris To Reims

We started our day early, taking a G7 taxi from our hotel in the 6th arrondissement to Paris Est Train Station.

This train station was about a 40-minute taxi ride, right is what we chose to do over the metro.

By the way, if you are staying in the 6th, try The Best Thai Food In The 6th In Paris!

The Train From Paris To Reims

Our train was set to depart at 7:39 AM with SNCF.

We arrived thirty minutes early to check which track the train was on and to board. Although we didn’t reserve seats, it was easy for the two of us to sit together.

How long is the train from Paris to Reims?

The train journey from Paris to Reims typically takes about 45 minutes to 1 hour, depending on the type of train you take.

High-speed TGV trains usually make the trip in around 45 minutes, while regional TER trains might take closer to 1 hour.

We brought coffee and fresh croissants from the bakery to enjoy on the train. Make sure to read my guide on The Most Delicious Bakeries In Paris (2024)

Where can I book tickets for the train?

You can reserve your tickets on the SNCF website here. Make sure to book early since tickets can sell out due to its accessibility from Paris.

Brunch In Reims

Next, we decided to walk to brunch at En Aparthé from the Reims Train Station.

This took us about twenty minutes, a nice brisk walk through the charming town of Reims.

I picked this brunch spot because of their pretty plates and coffee. It is honestly the best brunch in Reims, and I recommend coming here.

The staff was so nice to us, even though we spoke English only, and we were able to fuel up before our day of Champagne began!

You can read my full guide on En Aparthé here: En Aparthé: The Best Brunch In Reims, France!

Strolling Through Reims

After brunch, we walked 30 minutes to our reservation at Veuve Clicquot. It was nice to admire the buildings of Reims, which is the capital of the Champagne region.

Reims Cathedral

The area is known for its historic Reims Cathedral, where the kings of France were traditionally crowned.

The Palace of Tau

You can also stroll by the Palace of Tau, which is a historic building adjacent to the Reims Cathedral.

It was originally the archiepiscopal palace and served as the residence of the archbishops of Reims.

It is part of the UNESCO World Heritage site that includes the Reims Cathedral.

Tour Of Veuve Clicquot

I simply couldn’t visit Champagne without doing a tour at Veuve Clicquot.

Veuve has become one of the most popular bottles of champagne in the United States, if not the world.

Its headquarters, located in Reims, France, was founded in 1772 and is famous for its premium Champagne and iconic yellow label.

I had to book the “Only One Quality, The Finest” Tour!

This allowed us to learn how Veuve Clicquot champagnes are made while touring the house.

We were able to do a tasting in the wine cellar of Brut Carte Jaune, Extra Brut Extra Old, Vintage 2015, and Vintage Rosé 2015.

We did so much during our visit to Veuve. Read about my entire experience here: Veuve Clicquot In Reims: The Ultimate Guide!

Part 2: Reims To Epernary

After our 1.5-hour tour of Veuve Clicquot, we decided to head to Epernay.

We initially planned to walk 40 minutes back to the train station and then take the 55-minute train from Reims to Epernay.

However, to avoid losing two hours and risking being late for our next tasting reservation, we took a taxi instead.

Here are 3 Ways To Get From Reims To Epernay In Chamapagne!

Taxi From Reims To Epernary

We decided to use the G-7 Taxi app to get a ride to Epernay instead.

The taxi ride took about 35 minutes and cost around 30 euros. It was only about 10 euros less than the train, so it didn’t feel like a huge loss.

Our taxi driver was amazing and gave us a tour of the area during the drive, telling us all about the region of Champagne.

We even saw the rolling hills and vineyards, making the drive well worth the extra $10.

Avenue de Champagne

Once we arrived in Epernary, we had a free hour before our next tour, so we decided to sneak one more tasting in.

We made our way down the Avenue de Champagne, which has so many great champagne houses to visit.

Avenue de Champagne in Épernay is like a dream come true for any champagne lover. As I strolled down the street, I couldn’t help but feel the history from the grand mansions and famous champagne houses

Les 3 Domaines Champagne Tasting

We saw a charming champagne house, Les 3 Domaines, and knew it was the perfect place to pop in. Fortunately, it wasn’t that crowded and we were able to sit quickly.

Here we did a Champagne Tasting which featured champagne from three different estates, Patrick Boivin, Vincent Testulat, and Janisson-Baradon. Patrick Boivin.

We tried two flights here, one rose and one des blancs so we could try a little bit of everything!

First, we enjoyed the Trilogy Discovery, featuring three white champagnes crafted from Chardonnay and Pinot Noir grapes, each representing a different estate.

Next, we had the Trilogy Rosé, which was especially delightful on a beautiful spring day in Champagne.

They offered a sizable food menu, ranging from shareable snacks to larger plates. We opted for the cheese plate, escargot, and some salty potato chips. In my opinion, potato chips are the perfect accompaniment for champagne!

By the time we finished our champagne, it was time to head to our final tasting of the day at Moët & Chandon.

Moët & Chandon Grand Vintage Tour

It was time to do the Grand Vintage Tour at Moët & Chandon.

The tour provides a behind-the-scenes look at one of the most prestigious champagne houses in the world.

Walking through the historic cellars, I was amazed by the sheer scale and beauty of the place.

The guide shared fascinating details about the craftsmanship behind their Grand Vintage champagnes, highlighting what makes each vintage unique.

Touring these cellars offers a glimpse into the deep-rooted traditions and processes that have shaped the house’s legacy.

Champagne Tasting

The tour concluded with a delightful tasting of these exceptional champagnes.

We gathered in a spacious room where the guide served us two glasses, including a tasting of the of Blanc de Blancs champagne.

Both champagnes were delicious of course!

We enjoyed the view garden and even had the pleasure of stepping outside to enjoy our champagne while taking in the scenery.

As I wandered around the garden at Moët & Chandon, sipping champagne from my tasting, I was in awe of how peaceful and beautiful it was.

Moët & Chandon Bar

We had one hour to kill before heading back to the train, so we decided to head to the Moët & Chandon Bar for one final glass of champagne.

During our tour and tastings, everyone in the room was buzzing about Dom Pérignon.

Although I’m a big fan of wineries and champagne, I had never actually had a glass of Dom Pérignon, despite hearing about it my whole life.

We caved and ordered the cheapest glass on the menu, the Dom Pérignon Vintage Rosé 2009, an amazing luxury champagne.

It’s perfect for celebrating something special or just enjoying a glass of top-notch champagne.

I won’t lie—it was pricey at around 70 euros for a single glass.

However, it was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. The bottle itself was priced at 500 euros, which is nearly 600 USD.

I’m going to be honest. I don’t regret a damn thing!

Train From Epernay To Paris

As we finished our very expensive glass of Dom, it was time to get to the train station and head back to Paris.

The train in Epernary is right next to the champagne houses, making it a quick two-minute walk.

How long is the train from Epernay To Paris?

The train journey from Épernay to Paris typically takes around 1 hour and 30 minutes. Trains usually depart from Épernay station and arrive back at Paris Gare de l’Est.

Where can I book tickets for the train?

You can reserve your tickets on the SNCF website here. Make sure to book early since tickets sell out due to its accessibility from Paris.

So is visiting Reims and Épernay in a Day doable? Absolutely! I think it was the perfect way to see the entire region.

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