Best Tips For First Visit to Champagne, France
If I were to ask anyone what’s the ultimate celebration libation, I’m positive Champagne would be in the top three, if not the number one choice. Often paired with amazing cuisine, my first “Champagne tasting” was paired with my first visit to New York City as a college student. Picture this...a Manhattan nightclub, loud music, 4-inch heels, and a pop culture libation icon, Cristal Champagne. As a 21-year-old, I knew nothing about Champagne let alone the yellow cellophane-wrapped bottle. I have no reconciliation of the aroma, taste, top notes, or the fineness of the bubble, only carbonation in a glass flute. After living in Napa Valley during my time in culinary school, my world imploded with flavors, textures, aromas, flavors, and wine. After years of sampling Champagne, it was time to head straight to the source.
Champagne Region
French law is notoriously protective of the classification of this distinctive sparkling wine. The Champagne region, the agricultural terrain, grape varieties, and the production process allow select producers to sell what is known as Champagne. Located in the Northeast region of France, the main wine growing sub-regions of Champagne region include Côte des Blancs, Côte de Bar, Montage de Reims and Vallée de la Marne. Reims and Epernany are the most popular cities to visit Champagne houses and local bars with offerings that will rival the Cheesecake Factory's list of entrees.
What to Know Before You Go
First, I recommend you fly directly into either Charles De Gulles (CDG) or Orly International Airport (ORY) in Paris, France. If you can’t wait to sip your first glass of Champagne, you can take a train directly from either airport, but be mindful of the required train transfers during the roughly 2-2.5 hour commute. Reims and Épernay are located roughly 90 miles east of Paris and are accessible via train, bus, or private transfer.
Paris Vatry Airport (XCR), located approximately 35 miles from Épernay, is the local airport in the Champagne region. Airline options are limited therefore I recommend CDG or ORY airport as your primary arrival point. If you fly into XCR airport, a car rental or a private driver is suggested to explore the surrounding areas.
“Is a day trip an option?” The short answer is absolutely yes! Don’t be surprised if you wish you had more time to explore and taste. I recommend three days for the first visit, if time permits you should stay for the week. Depending upon the season, many Champagne houses may be closed on Sundays and/or Mondays.
1. Select the Champagne Houses to Visit
In particular, well-known brands such as Moët & Chandon, Ruinart, or Veuve Clicquot are located within Reims or Épernay. These areas are not inclusive of all the options available and I definitely would recommend exploring other houses. A few notable Champagne houses are listed below to explore.
Veuve Clicquot
Moët & Chandon
Ayala
Billecart-Salmon
Ruinart
Bollinger
Laurent Perrier
Louis Roederer
Henriot
Perrier-Jouët
Collard-Picard
Tattinger
2. How Many Champagne Houses to Visit Per Day?
Reims and Épernay are separated by roughly 20 miles but don’t let the distance fool you into thinking 6-8 Champagne houses in 1 day is a good idea! Ideally, select a few Champagne houses to visit in Reims or surrounding smaller towns for one day and Épernay for another day. If you have a private driver and want to visit as many as possible, by all means, shoot for the stars!
If you are planning a day trip and would like to visit Champagne houses in both Épernay & Reims, I recommend no more than three Champagne houses per day. The transportation time between both areas as well as the available time slots will limit your selections for the day. 2 to 3 champagne houses are the average number of visits if you select a champagne tour package departing from Paris. Keep in mind this should be a relaxing trip for you, so take your time. Savor the champagne, scenery, and experience.
I traveled to Reims and Épernay solo and targeted 3 Champagne houses in a day. I learned my lesson from Napa Valley years ago, 5 vineyards in a day is a bit much for me! Keep in mind, if you take the train between Reims and Épernay, a few select houses, but not all, are located within walking distance of the train station. Taxis are available but not as plentiful. Rideshare or a private driver are your best options for transportation between Champagne houses.
I highly recommend a private driver for a half or full day. Safety and convenience are the main benefits of these options. With a private driver, you can cover more terrain but also factor in your needs for lunch & dinner. Don’t forget some restaurants will close in the afternoon to prepare for the dinner crowd. Lastly, the location of your hotel may limit available options for a taxi or rideshare, especially if located in more rural areas. If you plan to visit at least 4 houses, consider a private driver for your transportation needs.
3. Tickets
You will need to purchase a ticket in advance to visit the vast majority of champagne houses. The tasting groups are a little more intimate, usually 8-12 ppl. A wine tour and tasting typically range from 60-90 minutes. It’s best to purchase your tickets directly from the champagne house’s website. In addition, you can book a private or group tour on a travel website such as https://www.viator.com/. Lastly, https://www.ruedesvignerons.com/ is another option to book tickets.
How far in advance should you purchase your tickets? Ideally, plan your visit 6-8 weeks ahead especially if you are visiting in the May-July timeframe. Another consideration, some Champagne houses such as Veuve Clicquot, offer events such as chef-prepared lunches with champagne tastings. Sign up for alerts because tickets sell out quickly.
4. Where to Stay: Épernay or Reims?
Reims is a larger city with plenty of available options for hotels, restaurants, and activities. The downtown area has many department stores, boutiques, restaurants, and the beautiful Notre Dame Cathedral of Reims. If you are not fluent in French, you will readily find many restaurants and businesses that are fluent in English as well. Not an excuse to not practice French, but it may be a little easier to navigate.
Some have compared Reims to Napa Valley and Épernay to Sonoma or St. Helena, CA, which has a more intimate feel. In Épernay, you will see the infamous Avenue de Champagne sign near Moët & Chandon Champagne House. This is a great area to explore wine shops, boutiques & patisseries. If you’re seeking a more quiet and slightly secluded vibe, Épernay may be perfect for you.
5. Cost
The tour cost depends upon the experience you are seeking and the selection of Champagne you want to try. The vintage and grand cru options can easily fall in the $100-150 USD range with 2-3 tastings. On average, most tastings will fall in the $50-100 USD range. If you plan to visit 4-6 Champagne houses, a private driver may be more cost-effective for the entire day. The ride-share charges can add up quickly, especially with traffic on the two-lane highway.
In general, the hotel options are less expensive compared to Paris. On average, a 4 star-hotel can range from $100-200 USD per night. Be sure to book reservations as soon as possible, especially during the late spring/ summer season. Mid-September to mid-October is a great time to visit France to catch amazing flight deals and enjoy the beautiful vineyards without the summer crowds.
6. What to Bring
An empty suitcase and lots of bubble wrap! Reserve room in your suitcase for the special bottles you can’t easily source at your home destination. You can always purchase a wine suitcase to protect your precious cargo. However, if you’re not ready for that commitment yet, bring an insulated, padded wine bag. I recommend you wrap your bottle in a layer of bubble wrap, a t-shirt, or even a large tube sock before placement in the insulated wine bag and eventually your suitcase. After transporting bottles from 3 continents over the years, this method hasn’t failed me yet!
Final Thoughts