Champagne Day Trip from Reims including 9 Champagne Tastings

Champagne tastes better where it is made. This full-day outing from Reims combines cellar visits, village roads, historic sights, and nine tastings at three family-run estates. I especially like the small eight-person van and the focus on independent producers rather than only famous labels. The included lunch in Epernay is another welcome touch.

The main trade-off is the price, $290.36 per person, and the day gives more time to Champagne production than to scenic stops or photography. If your first goal is learning how Champagne is grown and made, that balance works well. If you want grand estates and long stops for pretty countryside views, you may find the schedule more tasting-focused.

• Three family Champagne estates: Visit smaller producers in and around Reims, including Champagne Roger-Constant Lemaire.
• Nine tastings included: The generous tasting schedule gives you a broad sense of how family-made Champagnes differ.
• Dom Pérignon’s village: Stop in Hautvillers and see the church connected with the famous Benedictine monk.
• Avenue de Champagne: Walk through Epernay past the grand houses of Perrier-Jouët, Mercier, and others.
• Eight-passenger minivan: A small group makes conversation and questions easier than on a large coach.
• Train-friendly departure: The tour begins at Reims train station at 9:30 a.m., with detailed train guidance from Paris.

Why This Champagne Tour Feels Different

Many Champagne outings revolve around the large names you already know. You may pass Veuve Clicquot and Mumm during the Reims sightseeing portion, but the actual tastings take place at smaller family domains. That choice gives the day a more personal feel.

At a family estate, you are more likely to hear about vineyard work, harvest conditions, cellar tools, and the decisions behind each bottle. The emphasis is not simply on drinking Champagne. You get a clearer picture of how grapes become the finished wine, and why two producers can make very different bottles from the same broad region.

The tour has earned a 4.7 out of 5 rating, with 95 percent of participants recommending it. The most consistent praise goes to guides such as Radames, Pierre, and Victor, who are described as friendly, funny, clear, and deeply informed about production. Radames receives especially strong praise for explaining the process in understandable English and adjusting explanations for both beginners and people who already know wine.

That said, guide quality can vary. One account describes a guide who was difficult to hear and less confident with English and Champagne history. This appears to be an exception rather than the general pattern, but it is a fair reminder that the guide is a major part of a small-group tour.

Starting at Reims Station at 9:30 a.m.

You meet at the Office de Tourisme du Grand Reims beside Reims train station. The start time is 9:30 a.m., and the tour returns to the same meeting point after about eight hours.

This arrangement works well if you stay in Reims. It also makes a day trip from Paris possible, but you must handle the train yourself. The operator specifically recommends booking early, and that is sensible. A last-minute attempt can leave you with no practical way to reach Reims, especially around public holidays or busy summer dates.

The recommended weekday train is the TGV from Paris-Est at 8:28 a.m., arriving in Reims at 9:14 a.m. On Sundays from March through June and September through October, the guide may meet Paris arrivals at Champagne-Ardenne station at 9 a.m. instead. On Sundays in July and August, there is no suitable morning train, so you should arrive in Reims the previous day.

For the return, a train from Reims after 5:45 p.m. is recommended. Do not build a tight connection immediately after the tour. Train delays are outside the operator’s control, and a full day in Champagne is better enjoyed without watching the clock.

Reims Sights: Big Names, Roman Ruins, and the Cathedral

The day begins with a drive through Reims. You pass major Champagne houses such as Veuve Clicquot and Mumm, along with Roman remains and Notre Dame Cathedral.

This portion is a useful orientation rather than a full guided visit to every sight. Reims is the regional center, and the drive helps explain how the city connects to the surrounding vineyards and villages. The cathedral also gives the day some variety before the cellar visits begin.

Do not expect extensive time at each landmark. The schedule has several winery appointments, so this is best viewed as a moving introduction to Reims. If the cathedral is a top priority, plan a separate visit before or after the tour.

Rilly-la-Montagne and the First Family Grower

The first major stop is Rilly-la-Montagne, where you visit a family grower for about an hour and a half. The visit includes the cellars and the first Champagne tasting.

This is where the tour’s small-producer focus begins to pay off. Rather than standing in a polished visitor center built for crowds, you get a look at a working family operation. The cellar visit helps put the tasting into context, and the guide can connect what you see with the broader production process.

The tasting schedule is generous, but the exact wines can change. You may taste several styles and cuvées, giving you a useful comparison rather than a single sample. The best way to get more from this stop is to ask questions about grape varieties, aging, dosage, and the producer’s approach. Guides who have done this well, especially Radames and Pierre, are praised for adapting explanations to the group.

One practical point: this is not a tour built around buying bottles at every stop. One of the strongest details from the feedback is that guests did not feel pressured to purchase. You can enjoy the tasting, take notes, and buy only if something genuinely suits you.

Hautvillers and the Dom Pérignon Connection

The minivan then heads to Hautvillers, the village associated with Dom Pérignon. You visit the church where the 17th-century Benedictine monk is buried.

Dom Pérignon is closely tied to the story of Champagne, particularly the development and refinement of production methods. The stop offers a welcome piece of cultural context between winery visits. It also gets you beyond Reims and Epernay into the smaller villages that give the region its character.

The itinerary does not promise a long independent visit here, so think of Hautvillers as a focused stop rather than a full village tour. If you want extensive time for photographs or quiet wandering, the day may feel brisk. Several people have praised the scenery and small towns, but one person felt the schedule favored tasting over taking pictures. That is the central choice you are making with this tour.

Lunch in Epernay and the Avenue de Champagne

Epernay provides the midday break. Lunch is included at a local restaurant, with a main course provided. The schedule allows about an hour and a half in the town.

Including lunch matters. Champagne tastings spread across a full day are much easier to enjoy when you have a proper meal rather than relying on snacks. Food also gives your palate a reset before the afternoon appointments.

The restaurant style may not match everyone’s idea of a traditional French lunch. One account praised the food’s quality but found the setting more modern than classic. If you are seeking an old-fashioned bistro atmosphere, keep expectations flexible. The useful part is that you receive a real main course and do not have to organize lunch while keeping up with the group.

You also stroll along Epernay’s Avenue de Champagne, the grand thoroughfare lined with famous Champagne houses. Your guide points out names such as Perrier-Jouët and Mercier, whose enormous underground cellars hold extensive collections.

This is one of the day’s best contrasts. The family estates show you small-scale production and personal hospitality. The Avenue de Champagne shows the wealth, prestige, and commercial reach of the major maisons. You see the grand facades, but this tour does not include a full cellar visit to each famous house. If you want the large-house experience, you will need to arrange that separately.

There is also an important seasonal notice: the Avenue of Champagne is not accessible from July 15 through August 22, 2025. Check the current arrangements if your date falls in that period, since this part of the itinerary may be changed or omitted.

Champagne Roger-Constant Lemaire: The Strong Afternoon Stop

One of the afternoon appointments is Champagne Roger-Constant Lemaire. The visit lasts about an hour and a half and includes a guided tour and tasting.

This estate receives some of the warmest praise for the quality of its explanation and the welcome from the family. The cellar and production details make the visit feel substantial, not like a quick pour followed by a sales pitch. You can expect the guide to explain the working side of Champagne and then help you understand what is in your glass.

For many people, this is likely to be the highlight of the day. The family setting, generous tasting, and direct connection between production and finished wine give the visit real purpose. It also helps that guides are described as having good relationships with the producers, which can make the exchange feel relaxed and genuine.

The stop is not simply about discovering a famous brand. That is useful if you already know the major Champagne labels and want something less polished and more personal.

The Third Grower and Nine Total Tastings

The final winery visit takes place at another family grower in the Champagne-Ardenne area. It includes a tour and Champagne tasting, with about an hour and a half scheduled.

Together with the first two estates, this brings the day to nine tastings. That number is worth taking seriously. You will have many opportunities to compare wines, but you should pace yourself and use the spit or moderation options if offered by the producer. The information supplied does not promise a specific tasting format at every estate, so you should not assume every pour will be identical.

The advantage of three estates is variety. Family producers may differ in blending, aging, vineyard practices, and house style. A good guide can turn those differences into a lesson, helping you notice more than sweetness or dryness.

The disadvantage is that the day can begin to feel repetitive if you are not especially interested in wine production. Three cellar visits, nine tastings, and driving between villages make this an enthusiast-friendly schedule. If you mainly want one famous house, a grand cellar, and a few scenic stops, a shorter or more specialized tour may suit you better.

What $290.36 Buys You

At $290.36 per person, this is not a cheap excursion. The value depends on what you would otherwise pay for transport, tastings, a guide, and lunch separately.

Your price covers an English-speaking professional driver-guide, air-conditioned minivan transport, tours and tastings at three family wineries, and lunch with a main course. You also get the convenience of moving between Reims, Rilly-la-Montagne, Hautvillers, Epernay, and the final estate without planning rural transport yourself.

The eight-person limit is a real part of the value. In a small group, you can ask questions, hear the guide more easily, and spend time with producers without the noise of a large coach party. Some people have even ended up with only one or two other participants, though you should expect a maximum of eight rather than count on a private tour.

I would call the price fair for a full day with transport and nine tastings, but not a bargain. The tour makes the most sense if you want a guided introduction to Champagne and would rather leave the driving and appointments to someone else. It makes less sense if you plan to stay in Reims for several days and can arrange visits independently.

Who Should Book This Day in Champagne?

I would recommend this tour to a first-time Champagne visitor who wants more than a tasting room. You get Reims, Epernay, Hautvillers, rural villages, family growers, and a useful introduction to how Champagne is produced.

It is also a good choice for couples, small groups, and solo visitors who like meeting people from different countries. The minivan creates a social setting, but the group remains small enough for real conversation.

Wine beginners should feel comfortable booking. The strongest guides explain the subject in plain English and adjust the level to the group. You do not need prior Champagne knowledge to enjoy the day.

You may want another option if you dislike a tightly scheduled day, have mobility concerns that make cellar visits difficult, or care more about architecture and photographs than wine. The tour operates in all weather, so dress for changing conditions and wear shoes suitable for walking and cellar surfaces.

The company says most people can participate, but specific access details are limited. If you have dietary needs, provide them when booking. Personal expenses and additional tastings are not included, and there is no pickup or drop-off in Paris.

Should You Book It?

Book this Champagne day trip if you want three family estates, nine tastings, and a guide-led lesson in one well-organized day from Reims. The strongest elements are the small group, the family producers, the substantial lunch break, and guides such as Radames and Pierre, whose clear explanations have made the day especially rewarding.

Before booking, confirm your train and check the date of the Avenue de Champagne closure. If you are coming from Paris, arrive with plenty of time and book the rail ticket well ahead. I would choose this outing for an authentic introduction to the region, not for a grand tour of the famous Champagne brands.

FAQ

Where does the Champagne tour begin?

It begins at the Office de Tourisme du Grand Reims at the train station, Cour de la Gare, 51100 Reims, France.

What time does the tour start?

The standard start time is 9:30 a.m.

Where does the tour end?

The activity returns to the original meeting point at Reims train station.

How long does the tour last?

The tour lasts approximately eight hours.

How many people can join the tour?

The maximum group size is eight people, and transportation is provided in an eight-passenger air-conditioned minivan.

Is lunch included?

Yes. Lunch at a local restaurant is included, with a main course. Personal expenses and additional tastings are not included.

How many Champagne tastings are included?

The experience includes nine tastings at three family wineries.

Can I travel from Paris for this tour?

Yes, but you must arrange and pay for your own train transportation to Reims. The tour operator recommends booking train tickets in advance. There is no suitable Sunday morning train in July and August, so you should arrive in Reims the day before.