There are some places in the world that invite you not only to stay but also to roam. Reims, the beating heart of France’s Champagne region, is one of those cities. As much as I adore sipping coffee at Café du Palais or wandering through the Gothic shadows of the cathedral, my instinct as a traveler is always to ask: what lies just beyond?
The answer around Reims is dazzling: vineyards that have been tended for centuries, sleepy villages that look like postcards come to life, and castles that rise out of the landscape with the grandeur of France’s storied past.
During my most recent stay, I made it my mission to explore day trips from Reims. Some I ventured to personally, others I carefully researched and gathered feedback on from trusted colleagues and locals. Below, I’ll share three trips I personally experienced—every triumph, every hiccup, every glass of champagne that made me linger longer than I planned—and four more that I’d wholeheartedly recommend to anyone planning their own Champagne Country adventure.
🌿 My Personal Day Trips
1. Épernay – The Avenue de Champagne
📍 Location: Épernay, about 25 km south of Reims
🚆 How to Get There: 30 minutes by TER regional train from Reims Centre to Épernay Station (€9–12 one way). Driving takes about 35 minutes.
⏰ Best Time to Go: Morning departure around 9:00 am, return by evening.
My Experience
I’d been told many times: “If Reims is the capital of Champagne, Épernay is its showroom.” And nothing could have prepared me for the first glimpse of the Avenue de Champagne, a grand boulevard lined with the headquarters of some of the most prestigious champagne houses: Moët & Chandon, Perrier-Jouët, Pol Roger.
I booked a guided cellar tour at Moët & Chandon in advance via their website (€35 for the Impérial Visit). The experience was flawless. The cellars themselves—28 km of underground tunnels—were cool, dim, and smelled faintly of chalk and history. Walking there felt like entering a wine cathedral. Our guide explained the aging process, the riddling racks, and the patience required to make the world’s most celebrated sparkling wine.
And yes, the tasting was sublime. One glass of their Brut Impérial was included, golden and effervescent in the late morning light.
Afterward, I wandered down the avenue, popped into a small family-owned house called Collard-Picard, where a tasting of three champagnes cost €20. Honestly? I found their Blanc de Blancs more vibrant and characterful than the Moët, even if it lacked the prestige.
Lunch was at La Cave à Champagne, a small restaurant near the center. I had duck confit (€22) and, naturally, another glass of local champagne.
Pros & Cons
✔️ Pros: Easy train ride, glamorous champagne houses, excellent tours.
❌ Cons: Tours at big houses feel a bit commercial; you need to book weeks ahead.
Booking & Discounts
- Moët & Chandon tickets: online via official site.
- Some smaller houses (like Collard-Picard) don’t require reservations but space is limited.
- Combo passes available through the Épernay tourism office (save ~10%).
👉 My Impression: Épernay is not just a day trip—it’s a pilgrimage. Standing on Avenue de Champagne, glass in hand, I felt like I was at the very epicenter of joy itself.
2. Hautvillers – The Birthplace of Champagne
📍 Location: 6 km north of Épernay, about 30 km from Reims
🚕 How to Get There: From Épernay, it’s a 10-minute taxi (€15–20) or 20 minutes by bike (rental available at Épernay station for €15/day).
My Experience
If Épernay is glamorous, Hautvillers is intimate. This little hillside village is where Dom Pérignon, the Benedictine monk, perfected the techniques that gave birth to champagne.
I walked through narrow cobblestone streets adorned with wrought-iron signs. Every shop sign was shaped like the profession it represented: a barrel for the cooper, scissors for the tailor. It felt like stepping back into the 18th century.
At the Abbey of Saint-Pierre d’Hautvillers, I stood at Dom Pérignon’s tomb. As someone who has guided countless wine enthusiasts, I admit—I got goosebumps.
I joined a tasting at Champagne G. Tribaut (€12 for three glasses). Unlike the polished tours of Épernay, this was family-run and personal. The winemaker himself poured my samples, explaining the differences in terroir. Their rosé champagne (€28 per bottle) was bright, crisp, and irresistible—I bought two bottles to carry back.
Lunch was at Au 36, a tiny restaurant serving regional platters. For €20, I had a plate of local cheeses, pâté en croûte, and charcuterie, paired with—you guessed it—champagne.
Pros & Cons
✔️ Pros: Authentic village atmosphere, less crowded, affordable tastings.
❌ Cons: Limited dining options; taxis can be scarce—book in advance.
Booking & Discounts
- Some producers require advance reservations; others allow walk-ins.
- Épernay Tourism offers e-bike rentals with Hautvillers packages.
👉 My Impression: Hautvillers was my favorite stop. It wasn’t about prestige, but about authenticity. The village hums with quiet pride, and sipping champagne with the winemaker himself felt deeply personal.
3. Château de Fère – Ruins and Romance
📍 Location: 50 km west of Reims, near Fère-en-Tardenois
🚗 How to Get There: Best reached by car (1 hour). No direct train, though TER to Fère-en-Tardenois + taxi is possible.
🎟 Entry Fee: Free to explore the ruins.
My Experience
After two days of champagne, I craved something different. So I set out for the Château de Fère, a ruined castle dating back to the 13th century. The drive itself was gorgeous—rolling hills, fields, and tiny hamlets flashing by.
The castle, though partially in ruins, is striking. Its arches stretch skyward, half-crumbled but poetic. It reminded me of Tintern Abbey in Wales—decay made beautiful. I climbed through the remains, imagining knights and nobles passing under those arches centuries ago.
Right beside the ruins is the Château de Fère Hotel & Spa, a luxury property where I stopped for lunch. I had a prix-fixe menu (€38) that included foie gras, roasted chicken with truffles, and a glass of champagne. The service was impeccable, the view of the ruins surreal.
Pros & Cons
✔️ Pros: Dramatic ruins, peaceful countryside, luxury dining nearby.
❌ Cons: Requires a car or expensive taxi; no guided tours at the ruins.
👉 My Impression: This was the most romantic excursion. Standing in those ruins, with ivy creeping along stone walls, I felt both small and timeless.
🍇 Four More Recommended Day Trips
These are places I researched, got tips about, and plan to visit on my next journey.
4. Troyes – Medieval Charm
- 📍 About 120 km south of Reims; 1 hr 15 min by TER train.
- Known for half-timbered houses, narrow lanes, and outlet shopping at McArthurGlen.
- Musée d’Art Moderne (entry €7) holds impressive 19th–20th century works.
- Pros: Rich architecture, fewer tourists.
- Cons: A longer trip, requires a full day.
5. Laon – The Hilltop Cathedral City
- 📍 60 km northwest of Reims; 45 min by TER train.
- Famous for Laon Cathedral, which rivals Reims in beauty.
- Medieval ramparts provide sweeping views of the Picardy plains.
- Pros: Easy train ride, breathtaking panorama.
- Cons: Steep climbs—wear good shoes!
6. Château de Condé
- 📍 Vallery-sur-Marne, 45 min drive from Reims.
- 18th-century château decorated with frescoes attributed to Watteau and Servandoni.
- Entry €12; guided tours in French but English booklets available.
- Pros: Intimate, privately owned château.
- Cons: Limited public transport.
7. Verzenay Lighthouse & Vineyard Museum
- 📍 20 km south of Reims; 25 min drive.
- A lighthouse built in 1909 in the middle of vineyards!
- Entry €9 includes vineyard museum + panoramic terrace.
- Pros: Unique attraction, great for photos.
- Cons: Museum a bit dated, but the views compensate.
🚆 Getting Around & Booking Tips
- Trains: TER regional trains are punctual, comfortable, and affordable. Book via SNCF Connect app or kiosks at Reims station.
- Cars: Renting a car gives flexibility. Rates from €45/day (Hertz, Europcar).
- Bikes: Available at Reims and Épernay stations for €15/day. Great for Hautvillers.
Discounts: SNCF sometimes offers €1 TER tickets on special weekends. Champagne houses often give 10% off if you book online in advance.
🌟Every time I return to Reims, I think I’ve seen it all. And every time, I’m proven wrong. Beyond the cathedral and the champagne houses, this region is a patchwork quilt of vineyards, villages, and castles, each with its own personality and story.
Épernay dazzled me with grandeur, Hautvillers whispered history in cobblestoned alleys, and Château de Fère made me believe in the poetry of ruins. Even the trips I haven’t yet taken—Troyes with its half-timbered streets, Laon with its sky-high cathedral—beckon me back.
If there’s one piece of advice I can offer, it’s this: don’t confine yourself to Reims alone. Let the train, the bike, or the winding road carry you outward. Pack lightly, carry curiosity, and leave space in your bag for a bottle (or three) of champagne.
Because the real magic of Champagne Country lies not only in what’s poured into your glass, but in the journeys between each sip.
