Day Trip to Reims from Paris
Day Trip to Reims from Paris
So you’re in Paris, and the Eiffel Tower has officially lost its luster. You’ve consumed more croissants than you’d like to acknowledge and even begun to judge baguettes like a native. Now what? Try this—swap the Seine for the cellar and board a train to Reims, the bubbly hub of France’s Champagne country. Only 45 minutes from Paris via high-speed train, this day trip combines a lovely dose of history, vineyards, and of course—endless bubbly. Day Trip to Reims from Paris is really worth it!
The Champagne Tour: What’s Really on the Agenda
Before you imagine a party bus and cork-twisting on a hillside, let’s clarify that a Champagne tour in Reims is totally more sophisticated than your average wine bar crawl. It’s half underground adventure, half gourmet tasting. The majority of tourists book a trip with one of the well-known houses, such as Mumm, Pommery, Veuve Clicquot, or Taittinger. Although every tour is a little different, here are some things to anticipate.
1. Ancient Cellars That Feel Like Champagne Cathedrals
First stop: underground. Like, way underground. After descending winding stairs, you will enter Roman-era chalk vaults. These are cool, atmospheric tunnels filled with thousands, sometimes millions, of bottles that are subtly turning into Champagne; they are not musty old basements. The entire space smells of a combination of magic and marble, the lighting is somber, and the air is wet. The guide describes the steps involved in manufacturing Champagne, including dosage, maturing, disgorgement, and riddling. If it sounds complicated, don’t worry. You’ll nod, grin, and covertly make plans to look it up on Google later. That adds to the allure.
2. A Crash Course in Bubbles 101
You’ll be introduced to terms such as méthode champenoise, cuvée, and lees aging, and for a brief instant, you’ll think about leaving your current job to be a sommelier. Certain tours also incorporate side-by-side tastings of various vintages or blends, so you can taste how the palate evolves over time (and get très chic while faking out the ability to pick up on notes of brioche and pear).
3. The Tasting: A Toast to Your New Life Choices
Eventually, the moment arrives. You’re handed a flute filled with golden bubbles, chilled to perfection. There’s always a pause—the kind of reverent silence reserved for sacred moments—before the first sip. And just like that, you’re not on a tour. You’re in a love affair.
Depending on the house, you might get away with one, two, or three styles—brut, rosé, vintage, you name it. The mood is always carefree, a bit decadent, and filled with soft clinking and contented sighs.
4. Reims Beyond the Bubbly
If you’ve got time between tastings, Reims offers plenty to round out the day. The Notre-Dame de Reims cathedral (yes, it has the same name as the one in Paris) is where 33 French kings were crowned, and it’s gloriously Gothic. There’s also a handful of charming cafes, pastry shops, and Champagne boutiques ready to help lighten your wallet.
5. A Buzzed Train Ride Back to Paris
With your heart full and your bag clinking suspiciously with “souvenirs,” you’ll head back to Paris in the late afternoon—relaxed, content, and possibly planning your next trip to Reims before the train even arrives.
Final Toast
A Champagne trip in Reims isn’t about drinking per se—it’s about exploration. You can expect refinement, learning, a dash of history, and plenty of fizz. And if you come back to Paris with an enhanced love for good bubbles (and a bit less money), then you’re doing it right. Santé!
