Day Trip to Champagne from Paris: How-To Guide & Best Tours

Considering taking a Champagne day trip from Paris?

You’re probably picturing vineyard-covered hills, elegant Champagne houses, underground chalk cellars, and bubbles sparkling in crystal flutes before 10 AM… And I’m happy to report that vision is entirely accurate.

Between Champagne tastings, wandering the Avenue de Champagne in Épernay, exploring the magnificent cathedral in Reims, and even visiting the abbey where Dom Pérignon is buried, this ended up being my favorite day trip from Paris yet. (Sorry, Versailles, but you have nothing on this!)

But before you start daydreaming about buttery brioche notes and endless bubbles, there’s the practical side to figure out…

Like, should you take a guided Champagne tour or go self-guided by train? Which Champagne houses are worth visiting? Is one day enough? And is it really worth giving up a whole day in Paris, when you could sip Champagne on a gourmet Seine river cruise in Paris instead?

I booked this small-group Champagne tour from Paris because I wanted the full experience: intimate small-grower tastings, centuries-old cellars, vineyard views, a behind-the-scenes tour of a large Champagne producer, and zero stress.

In this article, I’ll share what my guided Champagne tour was like – including every stop, honest thoughts on the wineries, and whether I think the tour is worth it.

I’ll also break down how to plan a self-guided day trip to Champagne from Paris if you’d rather do it independently.

If you’re a bubbly drinker and have extra time in Paris, a day trip to Champagne is 100% worth it. (In between exploring neighborhoods like Le Marais and Montmartre, taking the best cooking classes in Paris, and eating at the best restaurants in Paris, of course.)

I added an extra day to my Paris itinerary specifically to visit Champagne – and I don’t know why it took me six trips to Paris to finally do it!

Thanks to the region’s beautiful scenery and historic towns, a day in Champagne can be more than just a wine tour – if you want it to be… (Though yes, you’ll drink a lot of Champagne, either way.)

It’s also fascinating to see exactly how Champagne is made and to understand just how different the method is from still winemaking.

The tradeoffs are real, though. You’re giving up a full day in Paris, committing to an early start (~7 AM), and spending a long day out (~12 hours).

You’ll be back in time for dinner, but if you haven’t already done all the quintessential things to do in Paris, you might not want to sacrifice a full day. If it were my first trip to Paris, I’d want at least 3 full days in the city before considering a full-day trip anywhere.

For my husband and me, this small-group Champagne day trip from Paris was absolutely worth the detour. We had an amazing day, and we’d happily do it all over again.

MADDY’S NOTE: If you really love Champagne, consider basing yourself near Reims or Épernay for two or three nights instead. Imagine all the Champagne tastings, long lunches, and vineyard strolls you could squeeze in… In this case, I’d take the train to Reims, pick up a rental car at Reims train station, and base myself at a countryside château like Château de Sacy.

My Guided Champagne Day Trip from Paris (Stop by Stop)

I booked this small-group Champagne tour from Paris so my husband and I could simply show up, ready to drink our way through the day. Here’s how it went…

Pickup in Paris

Our Champagne day trip started at a central Paris café that was already open for our 7 AM pick-up (a rare sight in Paris!). We grabbed pastries and espresso before piling in the minivan with four other travelers and our guide Bruno.

During the 1.5-hour drive to Reims, Bruno explained the basics of Champagne production, what the Appellation d’Origine Contrôlée (AOC) is, the history of the region, and the difference between growers, cooperatives, and the major Champagne houses.

Reims Cathedral and Free Time in Reims

Our first stop was Reims, the historic heart of Champagne.

Most people come here for Notre-Dame de Reims – the gigantic Gothic cathedral where French kings were crowned for centuries, after Clovis, the first King of the Franks, was baptized there in the 5th century.

After touring the cathedral, we had about 45 minutes to wander Reims on our own – a city filled with excellent French restaurants, cute cafés, and some of the region’s most famous Champagne houses.

My husband and I started with pastries from Boulangerie Pâtisserie MT, then we stopped at the iconic Café du Palais for two glasses of Terre de Meunier Extra Brut (100% Pinot Meunier) by Dehours & Fils. Talk about a strong start to the morning!

Michel Fagot Champagne House

Next came the highlight of the day: Michel Fagot.

This small, family-run grower Champagne house in Rilly-la-Montagne was an intimate, relaxed, and personal experience that the larger, famous producers simply can’t replicate.

We toured the winery and underground cellar while Bruno explained every step of the Champagne-making process. The most interesting part, for me, was the gyropalette – a giant machine that slowly rotates bottles during the riddling process to move yeast sediment toward the neck before disgorgement.

Then came the best part. The tastings.

First was La Grande Tradition, a brut blend of all three classic Champagne grapes aged for four years. It was citrusy, fresh, and slightly savory, with notes of unripe fig.

Next was the Blanc de Blancs Extra Brut, made entirely from Chardonnay and aged four years. Floral, crisp, elegant. And exactly the kind of bubbles I love.

The last was my favorite: the Blanc de Noirs 2016, made entirely from Pinot Noir and aged for nine years. It was noticeably richer and more complex, with bready, cinnamon-y, fruitcake-like notes alongside blackberry flavors. So good.

Our entire group was talking about these wines for the rest of the day.

Scenic Vineyard Stops and Hautvillers Abbey

As we continued through the countryside, Bruno pulled over twice at scenic vineyard viewpoints overlooking the rolling hills and tiny villages of Champagne. We had plenty of time to stroll and snap some photos – despite the less-than-ideal spring weather! 

Eventually, we arrived in Hautvillers, the tiny hilltop village most associated with Dom Pérignon.

Inside Hautvillers Abbey, we visited Dom Pérignon’s tomb, the famous monk who helped refine blending and winemaking techniques that shaped modern Champagne production.

Lunch and Free Time in Épernay

Next up on our Champagne day trip from Paris was Épernay, the unofficial “Capital of Champagne.”

We had free time for lunch, so we headed to Sacré Bistro. I ordered the butcher’s cut with seasonal vegetables and bearnaise sauce, while my husband went for a gourmet burger. And, very much on theme, we started with two glasses of Champagne!

After lunch, we wandered the Avenue de Champagne, lined with legendary producers and extravagant mansions. We stopped for photos with the statue of Dom Pérignon, popped into the Moët & Chandon shop, and passed other Champagne houses like Paul-Étienne Saint Germain, de Venoge, and Boizel.

MADDY’S NOTE: If your #1 goal is to visit world-renowned producers, book this Private Moët & Chandon and Veuve Clicquot Champagne trip from Paris. You can also visit on your own, but you’ll need to make tour and tasting reservations several months in advance.

Nicolas Feuillatte Champagne Cooperative

Our final stop was Nicolas Feuillatte – and it couldn’t have felt more different from Michel Fagot!

Founded in 1976, Nicolas Feuillatte began as a small Champagne venture and has since evolved into a cooperative owned by around 5,000 small growers across the region.

The production facility alone spans roughly one hectare and processes around 20 million bottles of Champagne per year. Seeing the bottling, corking, labeling, and packaging systems operating at lightning speed – and learning the story behind the cooperative – was mind-blowing. 

(And yes, if you’re wondering, this is the same Nicolas Feuillatte who made his fortune as a coffee importer in New York.)

Afterwards, we sampled the Réserve Exclusive Brut, Extra Brut, and Rosé. They were fine, but nowhere near the level of the wines at our first stop.

Still, I appreciated visiting both producers. The contrast between a tiny family-run grower and a world-famous operation made my Champagne experience feel complete.

Happy and a little buzzed, we hopped back into the minivan and snoozed our way back to Paris. And that was a wrap on our small-group Champagne day trip from Paris.

Self-Guided Day Trip to Champagne: Sample Itineraries

If you’re not joining a tour, a self-guided Champagne day trip is absolutely doable by train. Just pick either Reims or Épernay and keep your day focused there.

Below, I’ve curated two sample itineraries so you can pick your fave!

Option 1: Reims Day Trip from Paris

Reims is the most convenient base – and the cultural heart of the Champagne region. The city center is compact, the cathedral is about a 10-minute walk from the station, and there are lots of excellent restaurants to choose from. Several of the most famous Champagne houses are either in the center or just a short taxi or tram ride away.

• Arrive early by train from Gare de l’Est (direct, ~45 min)
• Visit Notre-Dame de Reims Cathedral
• Pre-book two Champagne tastings (or three max, if you can’t help it!) – choose between this 1.5-Hour Champagne Tasting & Workshop in Reims and major houses like Taittinger, Veuve Clicquot, Pommery, and Ruinart
• Book a long, relaxed lunch in between tastings at La Grande Georgette (casual-luxe) or Le Millénaire (Michelin-starred)

Option 2: Épernay Day Trip from Paris 

Épernay is smaller and more picturesque than Reims, but it takes slightly longer to reach from Paris. It’s home to the Avenue de Champagne and iconic houses like Moët & Chandon and Mercier. The foodie scene pales in comparison to Reims, but the setting is beautiful.

• Arrive early by train from Gare de l’Est (direct, ~1 hour 20 minutes)
• Stroll the Avenue de Champagne
• Pre-book tastings at houses like Moët & Chandon or Mercier, plus a smaller producer if time allows
• Have lunch at La Grillade Gourmande (the best option in town, known for over-fire cooking!)
• Optional: Book a ~3-hour countryside tour to explore the vineyards and visit a grower – choose between this “The Connoisseurs” private tour or this small-group Champagne experience by vintage van

MADDY’S NOTE: If you want to skip the logistics and see the vineyards and small growers too, a guided tour is the easiest way to do it in a single day. Book the small-group Champagne day trip I took, or go all out with this private Champagne tour instead.

Champagne 101: A Quick Cheatsheet

Before visiting Champagne, I didn’t really know what made Champagne different from other sparkling wines, beyond its famous name. If you’re in the same boat, here are a few quick things to know before your tastings!

First things first: only sparkling wine produced in the Champagne region of France can legally be called Champagne. This UNESCO-listed wine region, east of Paris, is anchored by Reims and Épernay.

Champagne producers also have to follow strict production rules. Champagne can only be made using seven approved grape varieties (though Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, and Pinot Meunier are the usual suspects). The grapes must be harvested entirely by hand, undergo a second fermentation inside the bottle itself to create the bubbles, and be aged for a minimum of 15 months.

And while Dom Pérignon (“The Father of Champagne”) is known for inventing Champagne, that’s mostly legend. In reality, the Benedictine monk helped refine Champagne-making techniques in the 1600s. You’ll see his name everywhere during your day trip.

You’ll also hear a few common Champagne terms during your tastings:

• Brut = dry Champagne
• Extra Brut = even drier
• Blanc de Blancs = made entirely from Chardonnay grapes
• Blanc de Noirs = made entirely from black grapes like Pinot Noir