Champagne, about two hours from Paris
Reims is a little under two hours’ drive from Paris, and Épernay is about thirty minutes farther south. That makes for a full day in the region without a crack-of-dawn start: leave your hotel in the morning, explore Reims, have lunch, then head to Épernay and the vineyards before driving back in the early evening. Between the two towns, the road crosses the Montagne de Reims and its vineyards. If time allows, a detour to a wine village such as Hautvillers, linked to the story of Dom Pérignon, adds a lovely stop with views over the Marne Valley.
Morning in Reims: the cathedral and the old center
Notre-Dame de Reims, where many French kings were crowned, is the natural place to start. Take time to look at the facade and its famous Smiling Angel, then the stained-glass windows, including those designed by Marc Chagall in the choir. The Palace of Tau next door rounds out the visit if you’re interested in the history of the coronations.
The city center is easy to explore on foot, and the Basilica of Saint-Remi is worth a detour if your schedule allows. Visiting hours for the monuments vary with the season and church services, so check them before you go to avoid a closed door. Your driver drops you off close by and meets you again at the agreed time.
Épernay and the Avenue de Champagne
In the afternoon, head to Épernay and its Avenue de Champagne, lined with grand mansions and Champagne houses. Beneath your feet run miles of cellars carved into the chalk. Together with the region’s hillsides and cellars, the avenue is part of the UNESCO World Heritage site listed as “Champagne Hillsides, Houses and Cellars.”
Even without a tour, a stroll along the avenue gives you a real sense of how Champagne grew into what it is today. You can then visit an independent grower in one of the nearby villages, which often makes for a more personal experience than the big houses. Your driver can wait nearby while you explore at your own pace.
Touring a Champagne house: plan ahead
Most houses offer cellar tours followed by a tasting, but spots are often limited and time slots are set in advance. Languages, tour length and conditions vary from one house to another. Contact the houses you’re interested in directly, several weeks before your trip if possible, especially in spring and summer. Send us your confirmed tour times as soon as you have them. We’ll build the day’s schedule around them, with enough driving time between Reims, Épernay and the villages. Two cellar visits in one day is often a good balance.
Taste with peace of mind: your driver does the driving
A day in Champagne means several tastings. With a private driver, nobody in your group has to stay sober to get behind the wheel: you enjoy the visits, and your driver handles the road. Still, taste in moderation, drink water between cellars and don’t hesitate to use the spittoons provided. If you buy bottles, they ride in the trunk back to your hotel. Just check the airline rules if you plan to bring them home. And keep in mind that the legal drinking age in France is 18.
Your Champagne day with Metalsa
Your driver picks you up at your Paris hotel in a Mercedes: Business for up to 3 passengers, Van for up to 8 passengers for groups of friends, or First for the most comfortable ride. Your driver waits while you visit and brings you back to Paris in the evening. A guide is available on request. Champagne tours are quoted individually: request a quote through our online form, by phone or on WhatsApp with your date, the number of passengers and your cellar appointments. You’ll get a firm price for the day.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need to arrange cellar tours in advance?
Yes, it’s strongly recommended since spots are often limited. Contact the Champagne houses you’d like to visit directly.
Can we visit Reims and Épernay on the same day?
Yes, the two towns are about thirty minutes apart. That’s the classic one-day plan.
Does the driver wait during the tastings?
Yes, your driver stays with you all day and takes you back to your hotel in the evening.