Day Trip from Paris to Reims & Epernay: A Local’s Honest Guide

Updated 2026 — I’ve done this trip myself, entirely independently, no organized tours.

The Essentials

• 👥 Who it’s for: people who’ve already done Paris and want to explore nearby — I wouldn’t recommend it as part of a first-ever Paris trip unless you’re a genuine champagne lover, or staying long enough to see the surroundings too
• 🚄 By train: ~1.5 hours to Epernay, from Paris Est
• 🚗 By car: ~1h45-2h to Epernay, but budget extra time to get out of Paris — traffic can add up to an hour depending on when you leave
• 🏛️ Reims Cathedral: free to enter, I didn’t queue
• 🍾 UNESCO status: the Champagne hillsides, houses, and cellars have been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2015

Is a Day Trip to Champagne and Reims Worth It?

Champagne barely needs an introduction — everyone’s heard of the sparkling wine. But there’s more to the region than the bottle: real history, real heritage, and a cathedral that was used for the coronation of French kings for centuries.

Here’s my honest take, though: I wouldn’t recommend this as part of your first trip to Paris. There’s simply too much to see in Paris itself the first time around. This is a trip for people who’ve already been to the city a few times and want to see what’s nearby — or for genuine champagne enthusiasts who’ll make the detour worth it regardless. If you’re staying in France for a month or longer and want to explore beyond Paris, it’s a great fit too.

If that’s you, keep reading — because you can absolutely do this yourself, without a tour.

• READ: Romantic Plans in Paris in Winter

How to Get to Epernay and Reims from Paris

By Train

There are almost 20 trains a day linking Paris with Epernay, run by a mix of TER and Train Express Regional services. All depart from Paris Est and arrive at Epernay station, a 5-minute walk from Avenue de Champagne. Book in advance for the best prices.

For Reims, trains also leave from Paris Est, run by Alleo and TGV, taking about an hour.

By Car

I went by car myself, mainly because I wanted to visit a few other nearby spots on the same trip, not just Epernay and Reims. If that’s your plan too, driving makes sense.

But if you’re doing this strictly as a single day trip, I’d actually recommend the train instead. It’s more comfortable, and you skip the traffic getting in and out of Paris — depending on the time of day, that alone can eat up close to an hour before you’ve even left the city.

If you do drive: take the Autoroute de l’Est (A4/E50) toward Epernay, or exit 22 off the A4 onto the A344 for Reims.

You can rent your car here at the best prices.

Reims Cathedral: What It’s Actually Like

I didn’t queue to get in, which surprised me a bit given its reputation. What struck me most, though, was how much it resembles Notre-Dame in Paris — the scale and the Gothic style feel very familiar if you’ve already seen Notre-Dame.

Inside, there was a detailed scale model of the cathedral itself, which let you get up close to architectural details you’d otherwise need binoculars for. It’s a nice touch if you’re at all interested in Gothic architecture.

The cathedral was the site of the coronation of 25 French kings, from the 9th century up to 1825 — it’s genuinely one of the more historically significant buildings in France, not just a nice church to photograph.

Where to Eat in Reims

We ate near the city center at Au Bureau — it’s a chain we already knew from elsewhere in France, and it did the job well if you want something reliable and not overly touristy.

Visiting the Champagne Houses (No Tour Required)

Here’s something worth knowing: you don’t need to book an organized tour to visit the major champagne houses. I did all of my visits independently, and it’s entirely manageable if you’re comfortable planning your own day. But if you prefer an organized tour, take a look here.

That said, if you’d rather have everything arranged for you — transport, tastings, and a guide handling logistics — organized tours are a solid option too, especially if you’re short on time or don’t want to deal with driving between wineries yourself. Here’s what’s out there:

Moët & Chandon. One of the biggest names in the region, with tours covering the cultivation and production process, tastings, and a visit to their cellars.

Veuve Clicquot. Founded in 1772, now owned by LVMH. Offers three tour lengths depending on how deep you want to go — from a quick 30-minute tasting to a 90-minute session that includes a blind tasting workshop.

Mumm and Mercier. Often bundled into combined tours with Reims itself — a good option if you want to see the countryside and a city visit in the same day.

Dom Pérignon. For something more exclusive, private tours take you into the Moët & Chandon cellars where Dom Pérignon ages, plus a visit to the Abbaye Saint-Pierre d’Hautvillers, where the monk Dom Pérignon is believed to have developed the champagne-making method in the 17th century.

Visiting Hautvillers

If you make it to the village of Hautvillers, it’s worth a wander beyond just the church — walking up the old streets a few meters from it gives you a great view over the Marne valley and Epernay.

The abbey itself is owned by Moët & Chandon and only opens to the public for specific events or exclusive visits, so don’t count on getting inside.

You can also walk or cycle along the Marne Canal — it’s noticeably less touristy than Epernay’s main strip, with small wineries and local food along the way.

Where to Stay: My Take on Reims

I stayed at the Ibis Styles Reims Centre — it’s a fairly standard, no-frills hotel, but it’s very well located and practical if you want to explore the city on foot. Not a destination in itself, but a solid, easy base.

5 Must-Visit Places in Epernay

1. Avenue de Champagne. Home to the mansions of the major champagne brands — often called the most expensive street in the world.

2. De Castellane. Founded in 1895, with a champagne museum, miles of underground cellars, a label room with over 5,000 historic labels, and a tower you can climb for views over the Avenue de Champagne.

3. City Hall and gardens. The building itself is striking, but the gardens — designed by the Bühler brothers, known for some of France’s best 19th-century garden design — are the real highlight.

4. Château Perrier. Built for Charles Perrier, director of Perrier-Jouët and mayor of Épernay. During WWII, the building was occupied and used as barracks by British, German, and American forces at different points.

5. Jardin Botanique de la Presle. About 15km from Epernay, with exotic species from around the world and over 500 varieties of roses.

FAQ: Champagne and Reims Day Trip

Do I need to book a tour, or can I visit Champagne independently? You can absolutely do it independently — I did. Book train tickets in advance, plan your champagne house visits ahead of time (some require reservations), and you’re set. Tours are a good option mainly if you’d rather not handle the logistics yourself.

Is this a good day trip for a first visit to Paris? Honestly, no — not unless you’re a genuine champagne enthusiast or staying in France for an extended period. There’s too much to see in Paris itself on a first trip. This works best as a second (or third) trip destination, once you’ve already covered the city.

Train or car for a day trip? Train, if you’re only doing Champagne and Reims in a single day — it’s more comfortable and you avoid Paris traffic, which can add up to an hour just getting out of the city depending on timing. Car makes more sense if you’re combining this with other nearby stops.

Is Reims Cathedral worth visiting? Yes. It’s historically significant (25 French kings were crowned there) and visually striking — if you’ve seen Notre-Dame in Paris, you’ll notice the resemblance immediately.

Plan Your Trip to France

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