Looking for some of the best day trips from Paris to Champagne? This guide gives you all the information you need, including day trips for every type of traveller, costs, and direct links to book.
Here you’ll find all of the most highly rated Champagne day trips from Paris, whether you want to e-bike through the vineyards, enjoy a sumptuous three-course lunch, or visit the city of Reims while in the region.
I’ll also include some helpful info for those looking to DIY their day trip from Paris to Champagne, and helpful ways to save money on an organised tour.
If you’re in a hurry, use the box below to see the highlights, or scroll on to read about the top 10 Champagne day trips from Paris in more detail.
Day Trips from Paris to Champagne at a glance
Best Time to Go: Harvest season (September/October) is generally considered the best time to go, but Spring and Summer are equally vibrant times to visit. In winter, there’s less to see with outdoor vineyards covered in a blanket of frost or snow.
Best Organised Tours: Hit the highlights with a tour of famous label wineries, enjoy lunch and a tasting workshop in a family-run vineyard, or explore Reims City alongside multiple champagne tastings.
How to Get There: You have two options. Take an organised tour with travel included from Paris, or hop on the train to Reims or Épernay. More on both options below!
What’s the Weather Like: Warm, sunny summers, crisp, cold winters – optimal growing conditions for the fizzy gold stuff!
Other Things to Do in Paris: Discover the ultimate Paris itinerary for first-timers here, including things to do, more day trips, and the best places to eat and stay.
Top Tip: Bring warm clothing, because even in summer, the champagne cellars are very cool!
5 Day Trips from Paris to Champagne with Travel Included
Day Trip From Paris to Champagne with Lunch
Best For: Hassle-free travelling
Approximate Cost: €350pp
If you prefer not to stress over organising the details and want everything to be taken care of, this is the tour for you. This full-day tour picks you up right outside your accommodation in Paris, meaning all you have to do is roll out of bed in time for pick-up.
You’ll travel in a minivan with AC for around an hour and a half to reach Épernay, where you can enjoy a guided tour of one of the most grand Champagne houses, such as Mercier, Nicolas Feuillatte, or Veuve Clicquot.
Learn about the history of the famous tipple and taste some of the best bubbles in the business, before indulging in a delicious three-course lunch, all included. In the afternoon, you’ll visit a family producer in the countryside to stroll among the vines and learn more about the production process, with yet more varieties to try.
The tour concludes with a whistlestop tour of the city, where you’ll have some time to explore the magnificent gothic Reims cathedral, before being transported back to your Paris accommodation.
Private Mercedes Moët & Chandon, Veuve Clicquot, Pommery Tour
Best For: Label lovers
Approximate Cost: €630pp
Want to experience a Champagne day trip from Paris in style? This is the tour for you.
Complete with executive transport in a swish Mercedes, this private tour whisks you straight from your Paris hotel to Château de Boursault, where you’ll enjoy your first tasting of the day at a charming family winery.
Continue through the rolling vineyards to Épernay, where you’ll get a private guided tour of the Moët & Chandon cellars and 2 glasses of Impérial or vintage champagne, depending on the option you choose.
After some free time for lunch at your leisure in town, you’ll hop back into your private car to be taken to Hautvillers, where you can see the famous Abbey and resting site of Dom Pérignon.
The afternoon is spent in Reims, where you will visit the Pommery and Verve Cliquot champagne houses, with tastings included at both. After some free time to explore the city, you’ll be driven in style back to any desired location in Paris.
Full-Day Reims City and Vineyards Tour
Best For: History buffs
Approximate Cost: €230pp
With a focus on the rich history of the Champagne region and equal parts tastings and trivia, this highly-rated tour includes transport from a central location in Paris.
After an early pick-up, you’ll head first for a historic vineyard to learn about the growing and harvesting of grapes, before making a stop at the Nicolas Feuillatte – the French favourite when it comes to fizz.
You’ll get a full guided tour of the facility along with 3 glasses to taste. The next stop on your tour is the Abbey of Saint-Pierre d’Hautvillers, the resting place of Dom Pérignon, which forms part of a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Your knowledgeable guide will paint a picture of how Dom went from being an esteemed Benedictine monk to being widely considered the ‘King of Champagne’.
The story continues with a visit to the historic champagne hub of Reims, where you’ll get a guided tour of the iconic 800-year-old Notre Dame Cathedral. Afterwards, you’ll visit another authentic winemaker to learn more about the champagne-making process and taste a few more varieties,
Finally, you’ll be taken to Épernay’s Old Town, where the trip culminates with a guided walking tour of the capital of Champagne and some free time to explore and have lunch. Transport back to the Paris meeting point is included.
Helicopter Champagne Tour
Best For: Honeymooners
Approximate Cost: from €2,160
If money is no object or you’re splashing out for a special occasion, a helicopter Champagne day trip from Paris makes for the ultimate, once-in-a-lifetime experience. This incredible private tour is suitable for groups of 2-5 and includes not only a full-day excursion into the Champagne region but also a breathtaking aerial view of Paris and the rolling vineyards.
You’ll be collected from your Paris accommodation in the morning, where you’ll be transported to a heliport in the city. Here you’ll board your chariot for the day, for a breathtaking 45-minute flight over Paris, the Marne Valley and sprawling chateaus to reach your destination.
On arriving at the Royal Champagne Hotel, a private driver will take you to a family-run winery where you can indulge in your first tour and tasting of the day.
A three-course lunch is provided at a local restaurant in enchanting Épernay, before a visit to the iconic Maison Moet & Chandon. Here you can explore the cellars and taste some of the world’s most famous vintages before being whisked back to the helipad for your return flight to Paris.
Small-Group Champagne Tour with 8 Tastings
Best For: Champagne connoisseurs
Approximate Cost: €325pp
If you’re hoping to taste as many varieties as possible on your Champagne day trip from Paris, this is the tour for you. Available as a shared or private tour, you’ll be collected from your hotel to travel to the heart of the Champagne region, with croissants and sparkling commentary from your wine expert guide along the way.
On arrival, your day starts with a visit to one of the most famous label houses such as Mumm, Veuve Clicquot, or Mercier, where you can learn about the making of the timeless tipple and indulge in the first tasting of the day.
Lunch is included, either at a local restaurant or family-run chateaux, where you’ll get to try several more varieties, including Blanc de Blancs, Blanc de Noirs, and Champagne Rosé. After a post-lunch vineyard stroll, where you can learn about the different grape varieties, you’ll arrive at the final champagne house of the day.
Here, you’ll discover the art of champagne tasting with the help of a true connoisseur and yet more glasses of the bubbly stuff. You’ll even witness the unique technique for opening the bottle known as ‘sabrage à la volée’, before your journey home to Paris.
5 Day Trips from Paris to Champagne by Train
While it requires a little more organisation, day trips from Paris to Champagne by train usually work out cheaper – giving you champagne tastes on a beer budget!
Travelling to Épernay or Reims by train may also be preferable for those who get car sick or dislike travelling in minivans. Both are central hubs of the Champagne region.
Reims is a bigger city, home to some of the most famous label cellars, while Épernay is a more rural Medieval town nestled among the vineyards.
Getting the train to Reims or Épernay is very straightforward (see details below). The meeting point for most of the below tours is right by the station, making it easier to organise your own travel to the region.
If you want to DIY the whole experience, you can also catch the train to Reims and then jump in a taxi to one of the closest champagne houses to the city. I recommend Lanson, Vranken Pommery, or Tattinger. You can also get the tram from the station to any of those 3, or walk in about 30 – 40 minutes.
It’s still important to book in advance if you would like a tour of any of the champagne houses, as the time slots do get booked up in advance.
Getting to Champagne from Paris by Train
Getting to Reims or Épernay from Paris by rail is easy. Navigate to Gare de l’Est, where all trains to the Champagne region depart from. It is located in the 10th Arrondissement in Paris, very close to Gare Nord.
There are about 5 or 6 direct trains to Reims each day. The journey takes around 45 minutes on the fastest route.
There are more daily direct trains to Épernay, but the journey takes longer – around 1hr 20mins.
Find train tickets and timetables for Épernay here.
Find train tickets and timetables for Reims here.
Sensory Champagne Vineyard Tour
Best For: Foodies
Departs From: Épernay Tourist Office
Approximate Cost: €95pp
If you prefer your wine with a side of cheese… or at least something to eat, you can truly savour the experience with a sensory palate adventure.
You’ll be picked up from the Épernay Tourist Office (5-minute walk from the station) at 10am. From here, you’ll get a guided vineyard tour in a 4×4, where you can enjoy your first Grand Cru vintage champagne tasting, accompanied by a local foie gras.
From here, you’ll head inside the family-run champagne house, where you can see an incredible grape press dating back to 1889. Inside the atmospheric cellars, after learning more about the production process, your second champagne tasting is accompanied by a selection of delicious cheeses.
Finally, you’ll be taken back to the winery, where you can watch bottles being opened the dramatic way (disgorged ‘à la volée’). Here you can enjoy your final pairing of the day; a perfectly sweet combination of chocolate with pink champagne.
E-Bike Champagne Vineyard Tour
Best For: Outdoorsy Types
Departs From: Reims Station or Épernay Tourist Office
Approximate Cost: €190pp
If you are interested in drinking in more of the fresh air of this beautiful region then you’re in luck! Catch the train to Reims or Épernay, and you can join a sensational E-bike tour through the charming countryside, complete with lunch at a local champagne chateau and several glasses of the good stuff.
You can either be picked up outside Reims Station at 9am, or the tourist office at Épernay at 9:45am (5-minute walk from the station). This flexibility makes it easy to arrange your train from Paris (read above to see how).
After joining the tour, you’ll ride through the Premier and Grand Cru villages on modern E-bikes, gliding through UNESCO World Heritage vineyards. Experience the terroir of the region from a unique vantage point, and stop for pristine photo opportunities before reaching Hautvillers, the famous village known as the birthplace of Champagne.
Here you can visit Dom Pérignon’s grave and learn a little more about the history of the iconic drink, before continuing the scenic ride along the Marne Canal. Finally, you’ll reach a gorgeous family-run winery for a sumptuous lunch and tour of the estate, complete with homemade regional specialities paired with the perfect glass of fizz.
Sabrage Technique Workshop
Best For: Skill seekers
Departs From: Reims
Approximate Cost: €99pp
Looking for your latest party trick? Why not learn the art of sabrage – the impressive technique of opening a champagne bottle with a sword. As this workshop only takes a couple of hours, you could easily combine this activity with a visit to one of the famous cellars in Reims to make up the perfect day trip from Paris to Champagne.
It takes place multiple times a day at Reims Cathedral, which is just a 15-minute walk away from Reims central station.
The workshop includes a little history of the technique before you get the chance to wield the golden-handled sabre yourself.
With guidance from the experts, you’ll have the cork perfectly sliced off in no time. Afterwards, enjoy the fruits of your labour with a tasting from the very same bottle.
Champagne Tasting Class with Lunch
Best For: Fizz aficionados
Departs From: Épernay
Approximate Cost: €85pp
If you want to learn less about the production of champagne and more about the tasting itself, then this unique class is the perfect solution. Taking place at a family estate, it usually starts at 10:30am and lasts for 3 hours.
The estate is located just a 10-minute taxi ride from Épernay Station. You can also catch the number 10 bus from the station to Mareuil Centre / Base Nautique, where it is just a 5-minute walk to Le Clos Corbier Champagne House (where the class takes place).
In this unique experience, you’ll get a guided tour of the cellars along with the chance to test and train your nose, complete with fun quizzes and blind tastings.
A homemade lunch follows, paired perfectly with more champagne and washed down with local red wine and liquor known as Ratafia. A truly memorable experience for the mind and the taste buds.
Afternoon Champagne Tour and Tastings from Épernay
Best For: Night owls
Departs From: Épernay Tourist Office
Approximate Cost: €165pp
Getting the train to Champagne from Paris may require an early start, depending on the tour you choose and the train timetables. Choose the afternoon slot for this tour, and you can stay up late in Paris the night before, with the whole morning to make a leisurely journey to Épernay.
Despite being an afternoon tour, this trip does not skimp on the tastings! Starting at 2pm, you’ll set off from the tourist office in Épernay, which is just a 5-minute walk from the train station.
You’ll travel in an air-conditioned vehicle right into the heart of vineyard land, with stops at several family-run producers and a grand total of six tastings. At the first stop, you’ll learn all about the art of champagne production from your tour guide, complete with a Grand Cru tasting session.
En route to the next stop, you’ll pass by the production site of Moët & Chandon, before taking a stroll down Champagne Avenue, where some of the most impressive châteaux can be found.
Your final stop is a charming village known as the ‘cradle of Champagne’. In Hautvillers, you can explore the burial site of Dom Pérignon and take in breathtaking views of the spectacular UNESCO-listed hillsides.
Bonus: Wine Tasting in the Loire Valley from Paris
Best for: Budding sommeliers
Approximate Cost: €325pp
If you’re a real wine enthusiast and came to France to see more of the world’s best wine production regions, a day trip from Paris to the Loire Valley is a must.
The sensational countryside south of Paris is filled with undulating vineyards, glistening lakes, and some of the most incredible castles that have inspired the likes of Disney’s Beauty and the Beast.
If you have time in your Paris itinerary, I recommend squeezing in a day trip to the Loire Valley. This one is led by a wine expert guide who will fill you in on the winemaking heritage of the region, before taking you to see the magnificent turrets of the Château de Chambord, of fairytale fame.
After ample time to explore the enchanting castle and its magnificent grounds, you’ll continue through the region, known for its cultivation of Chenin Blanc, Sauvignon Blanc and Cabernet Franc grapes.
You’ll enjoy lunch in a gourmet restaurant or winery, with a wine pairing led by your tour guide, before a trip to another family-run estate to learn more about local production and taste selected wines.
Finally, you’ll be driven back to Paris in a comfortable minivan and dropped in a central location for the evening.
Have more questions about day trips from Paris to Champagne, or want to share your experience? Let me know in the comments!
Save This Post for Later!
Use the red Pinterest icon in the corner of one of the images below to save this guide to your Pinterest board.
**Read Next: The Perfect 4-Day Paris Itinerary and Top Tips for Visiting.**
Leave a Reply