Day 1
Arrive in Reims by high-speed train from Paris in under an hour, and start your journey with a step back in time at the magnificent Cathédrale Notre-Dame de Reims. Once the coronation site of French kings, it’s a masterpiece of Gothic architecture and spiritual grandeur. As evening falls, treat yourself to dinner at the Michelin-starred Le Foch, where local ingredients and an extensive champagne list set the tone for the days to come.
Day 2
Begin your champagne journey underground with a tour of Taittinger’s Roman chalk cellars, an atmospheric introduction to the region’s deep winemaking roots. Follow that with a visit to Champagne G.H. Martel & Co for a more intimate tasting experience. Then wander over to the Villa Demoiselle, an Art Nouveau beauty that blends architectural wonder with boutique champagne tasting. In the evening, enjoy dinner at Brasserie Le Jardin, located within the park of Château les Crayères, before a performance at the Opéra de Reims, a jewel-box theater offering ballet, opera, and classical music in a romantic setting.
Day 3
Leave the city behind and enter the vine-laced hills of Montagne de Reims. En route to Champillon, stop in the charming wine villages of Verzenay or Rilly-la-Montagne, and visit the Lighthouse of Verzenay for sweeping vineyard views and a fascinating Champagne museum. Check into the Royal Champagne Hotel & Spa, a luxurious hilltop retreat overlooking the Marne Valley. Spend the afternoon unwinding at the spa with a vinotherapy treatment or a dip in the infinity pool, champagne in hand, of course. Cap off the day with a Michelin-starred dinner at Le Royal, where vineyard views meet exquisite seasonal cuisine.
Day 4
Take a guided tour of Épernay and stroll the famed Avenue de Champagne, lined with elegant mansions housing legendary producers like Moët & Chandon, Perrier-Jouët, and Pol Roger. The tour reveals over 100 kilometers of aging tunnels beneath your feet. Then explore the villages of Aÿ-Champagne and Oger and their magnificent landscapes. Return to your hotel for dinner and a final toast as the sun sets over the vines.
Day 5
Before you depart, enjoy a tranquil morning in the Parc naturel régional de la Montagne de Reims, home to the enchanting Faux de Verzy, a forest of whimsical, twisted beech trees. It's a quiet, grounding way to reflect on the richness of the region. After a countryside lunch or a quick return to Reims, catch your train back to Paris, or wherever your next adventure awaits.
Getting there: Reims is just 45 minutes from Paris via TGV.
Getting around: Hire a local driver or rent a car for maximum flexibility (and safe tasting).
When to go: Late spring through early fall offers the best weather and vineyard activity.
Tasting tip: Many champagne houses require reservations; book early.