Champagne
Go for the house cellars in Reims and Épernay, the chalk tunnels beneath them, and the vineyard villages in the Marne valley.
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Champagne is a wine region in northeastern France, about 145 km east of Paris. A fast train reaches Reims, its largest city, in about an hour. Only sparkling wine made in the region by the traditional method can carry the Champagne name. Most well-known houses keep their cellars in Reims and Épernay, many of them dug into chalk, so part of the visit is underground.
Between the two towns, vineyard villages sit on chalky slopes planted with Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier. The trip suits people who want to taste, walk among the vines and see how the wine is made. It works as a day trip from Paris or with two or three nights in the region. Late spring and early autumn are the easiest months for walking between vineyards, and the grape harvest usually takes place in September.
Champagne in five
- Book house and grower tastings in advanceMany cellars take visitors by appointment, especially small growers. Reserve before you travel and ask what each tour includes.
- Take the train, not a rental carTrains reach Reims and Épernay from Paris, and tasting and driving do not mix. Use a taxi, a driver or a guided tour between villages.Burgundy
- Choose Reims for the cathedral, Épernay for the cellarsReims has the cathedral and larger houses; Épernay has the Avenue de Champagne and a smaller-town feel. Many travelers stay in one and visit the other.
- Go in September for harvest, expect crowdsHarvest brings activity in the vineyards but also pressure on rooms and tours. Book early or pick May or October.
- Link with Troyes for the south of ChampagneTroyes has timber-framed streets and outlet shopping and is a good alternative base.Troyes
Things to do in Champagne
See all attractions in Champagne
Need to know
- Airport
- Paris Charles de Gaulle is the usual gateway; Reims has no commercial airline service
- Getting there
- TGV Paris to Reims about 45 min; Épernay about 1–1.5 hours by train
- Getting around
- Taxi, driver or bike between villages; trains between the main towns
- Best base
- Reims for the cathedral and trains; Épernay for the cellars
- Time needed
- 1 day from Paris, or 2–3 days for several cellars
Weather by month
- Best
- Good
- Mixed
- Poor
- JanuaryCold, quiet
- FebruaryCold, quiet
- MarchPruning, quiet
- AprilSpring, open
- MayGreen, open
- JuneWarm, busy
- JulyWarm, busy
- AugustWarm, busy
- SeptemberHarvest
- OctoberAutumn color
- NovemberCool, quiet
- DecemberFestive, cold
Right now in Champagne
Local time, today's weather and the exchange rate, refreshed through the day.
8
- Feels like
- 6°
- Humidity
- 93%
- Wind
- 11 km/h
- Chance of rain
- 20%
Épernay
09:47 PM
Monday, November 2
- Today10°5°20%Monday: Rain. High 10°, Low 5°. Chance of rain 20%.
- Tue9°4°10%Tuesday: Cloudy. High 9°, Low 4°. Chance of rain 10%.
- Wed9°3°0%Wednesday: Cloudy. High 9°, Low 3°. Chance of rain 0%.
- Thu9°2°0%Thursday: Partly cloudy. High 9°, Low 2°. Chance of rain 0%.
- Fri8°1°5%Friday: Cloudy. High 8°, Low 1°. Chance of rain 5%.
- Sat7°-1°9%Saturday: Fog. High 7°, Low -1°. Chance of rain 9%.
- Sun11°1°30%Sunday: Fog. High 11°, Low 1°. Chance of rain 30%.
Updated 07:08 PM local time · Powered by WeatherAPI.com · Weather data by Open-Meteo.com
Day trips by train
- Reimsabout 45 min by TGV from ParisGothic cathedral and big champagne houses.Read the guide
- Épernayabout 1–1.5 hours by train from ParisThe Avenue de Champagne, with cellars beneath the street.Read the guide
- Troyesabout 1.5 hours by train from ParisHalf-timbered streets and a lively old center.Read the guide
Before you go to Champagne
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Rules for Champagne, checked
- Non-EU visitors need to check Schengen visa rules and any pre-travel authorization before booking. See the current list on france-visas.gouv.fr.Source
- Non-EU travelers face limits on the wine and spirits they can take home duty-free, and must declare larger amounts. Check allowances on douane.gouv.fr.Source
- Meat, dairy and many plant products are restricted when entering the EU from outside it. Declare them on arrival and check douane.gouv.fr.
- Service is included in French restaurant bills by law, so leaving a few euros or rounding up is customary, not required.
- The legal age for buying alcohol is 18. Shops and bars may ask for ID, so carry your passport.
Plan around Champagne
France's other great wine region, 2 hours south
Read the guideTroyesHalf-timbered city in southern Champagne
Read the guideReimsCathedral and large champagne houses
Read the guideÉpernayThe Avenue de Champagne and its cellars
Read the guideGetting around FranceTGV and TER tips
Read the guideAll of FranceRegions, cities and train routes
Read the guideChampagne FAQ
Is Champagne worth visiting as a day trip from Paris?
Yes: Reims is about 45 minutes by TGV, and a guided cellar visit plus the cathedral fills a day. Stay overnight to see Épernay and the vineyards.
How many days do you need in Champagne?
One day for Reims or Épernay; two to three days for both plus vineyard villages.
Do you need to book champagne tastings?
Usually yes, especially at smaller houses. Book ahead and ask about tour length and what is included.
Is it better to stay in Reims or Épernay?
Reims for the cathedral, restaurants and trains; Épernay for a smaller-town feel and cellars on the main street. Both work.
When is the best time to visit Champagne?
Spring and autumn for mild weather; September for harvest. Winter is quiet, and some houses have reduced hours.