Champagne, without the stress of getting there. I like the high-speed TGV ride into Reims that saves you from a long drive, and I like how the day is built around six champagne tastings at two houses plus lunch. It’s the kind of itinerary that feels crafted for people who want real Champagne time, not just transit time.

You also get transfers handled by a private driver between the key stops. One possible consideration: there’s a cellar visit where you need to go down about 100 steps with no elevator.

Quick hits before you go

• High-speed rail to Reims in about 45 minutes, with an air-conditioned train and a local guide
• Two Champagne houses, six total glasses, split into a tasting in Reims and another in Mailly-Champagne
• Private car between sites so you’re not navigating Champagne towns on your own
• Reims landmarks included, including Notre-Dame de Reims and nearby historic areas
• Lunch is included at a countryside-style restaurant located in a golf club setting
• One key physical note: a cellar stop includes a long stair descent without an elevator

Fast TGV to Reims: starting without traffic fatigue

This is a full day, but the first smart move is getting you from Paris to Reims quickly. You depart from Gare de Paris-Est and take the TGV, arriving in roughly 45 minutes with your local guide. That matters because Champagne days can get swallowed by driving time, especially if you’re trying to fit tastings, lunch, and a vineyard stop into one outing.

The train is listed as luxury and air conditioned. That’s not a small detail—after a morning start, it helps you arrive feeling human, not steamrolled. You’re also starting with a guide, which usually means you get context right away, not only after you’ve already left the station.

Tip: if you’re prone to motion sickness, the train is generally easy. Still, bring water and keep a light breakfast. You’ll be tastings-in-a-row later.

Reims landmarks: coronation vibes plus quick city orientation

Once you arrive, the day doesn’t just jump straight into Champagne. You ease into Reims with a short stop at Place Drouet-d’Erlon, also known locally as Place d’Erlon. The square’s central feature is the Fontaine Subé, topped by the statue called La Gloire. It’s a classic “get your bearings fast” stop—useful if you want to feel like you’re in a real city, not only moving between tickets.

Then comes Notre-Dame de Reims, a Roman Catholic cathedral closely tied to French royal coronations. The cathedral is part of why Reims is so inseparable from Champagne: kings were crowned there, and Champagne became part of that ceremonial story.

Your walk also includes nearby historic areas like Place Royal and the Cryptoportique, an old Roman forum dating back to the 1st century AD. Even if you’re not a hardcore architecture person, that mix of Roman remnants and royal-era importance gives you a fuller picture of why this region matters beyond wine.

Practical note: wear comfortable shoes. Even with guided pacing, cathedral-area walking adds up over a 10-hour day.

Champagne house #1 in Reims: your first three glasses

After the city portion, you switch gears. A private driver picks you up and takes you to your first Champagne house in Reims. This part of the day is designed for people who want “how it works” plus “what it tastes like,” not just a quick glass and a gift shop.

You’ll visit the cellars and learn about the champagne-making process and the house and region history. Then you’ll do a guided tasting of three glasses.

Here’s the consideration that’s worth flagging early: you need to go down about 100 steps in one cellar stop, and there’s no elevator. If stairs are hard for you—knee issues, mobility limits, or you simply don’t enjoy long descents—this is the moment to take it seriously. Bring sturdy footwear with grip, and go slow.

Value angle: tasting in a cellar setting changes the experience. You’re learning and drinking in the same place where the wine is stored, so the process doesn’t stay theoretical.

Lunch in Bezannes: traditional French food, but it’s in a golf club

Next comes a transfer by private car to a countryside restaurant in Bezannes, and the setting is inside a golf club. You’ll enjoy a traditional French lunch in a relaxed setup.

This is a key “match your expectations” moment. If you picture a rustic Champagne village meal with low-key charm, the golf-club setting might feel more polished and less off-the-beaten-path. But if you want a calm break in the day with good service and an easy lunch environment, it can be a welcome pause before the vineyard portion.

Timing helps here: lunch gets you breathing room before you head deeper into the vineyards. And with six tastings total in the day, a solid meal isn’t optional. It keeps the rest of the experience comfortable and more enjoyable.

Mailly-Champagne vineyards: house #2 and Grand Crus time

After lunch, you go into the heart of the Champagne vineyards. Your second house is in Mailly-Champagne, and this is where the day leans into the scenery side of Champagne tasting.

You’ll visit a second Champagne house and taste three more glasses, with the experience centered on the best harvests labeled as Grand Crus. The day also includes a stroll in the vineyards, plus time for photos if you want them.

This is a big difference from tastings that happen only indoors. Even a short vineyard walk can change how you interpret what you’re drinking. It puts the grapes, the soil, and the geography into the same mental box as the wine in your glass.

Photo tip: if you’re serious about pictures, plan to move slowly. Vineyard light shifts fast, especially later in the day, and you’ll likely want a few angles: rows, horizon views, and your group shots.

Six tastings total: how to pace the day like a pro

Six glasses across two houses is a lot for one day—especially when you’re also walking, taking transfers, and doing city sightseeing. The good news is the structure is split: three glasses in Reims, lunch, then three glasses in Mailly-Champagne. That built-in rhythm makes it easier to pace yourself.

A few practical ways to make this more enjoyable:

• Go slowly during each tasting. If you rush, everything after lunch feels hazier.
• Stay hydrated between stops. The tour covers tastings, not a hydration plan.
• Take mental notes, not full essays. You can remember styles better if you keep it simple: what you liked, what surprised you, and which glass felt lighter or more structured.

Also, alcohol rules are part of the offer: there’s an alcohol tasting restriction for under 18 years old. If you’re traveling with a teen, confirm how the experience handles that in practice.

The real value: what $718.55 buys you (and what it can’t)

Let’s talk value, because Champagne tours vary wildly. At $718.55 per person, you’re paying for a rare combo: high-speed rail between Paris and Reims, admission/tasting access at two houses, lunch, and a private car with a driver between key stops. You’re also getting a local guide during the earlier city portion and on the train segment.

So what does that mean for you?

• You spend less energy figuring out transit between towns.
• You get access to two distinct tasting experiences rather than one long stop that tries to cover everything.
• You gain time for the vineyard area in Mailly-Champagne, instead of just driving past it.

What it can’t fix: this is still one long day. You’ll be on the move, and it’s not a slow, leisurely “vacation pace” itinerary. If you’re the type who wants extra free time to browse shops, wander without a clock, or take multiple café breaks, you may find the schedule feels tight.

And remember the under-the-surface details that affect comfort:

• Cellar stairs with no elevator
• Lunch location inside a golf club setting
• A full itinerary that starts around 8:00 am

Who this private Champagne day suits best

This experience fits best if you want:

• A private setup with only your group, and the guide’s full attention
• A clear day plan that includes city history plus Champagne tastings
• Fewer logistics headaches, because the private driver handles transfers between Reims, Bezannes, and Mailly-Champagne
• A taste of both Reims and the vineyard heartland in one outing

It may be less ideal if you:

• Need step-free access during the cellar visit (the tour specifically notes about 100 steps with no elevator)
• Want a very laid-back pace with lots of independent exploration
• Strongly prefer lunch spots that are strictly “town bistro” instead of a golf-club restaurant environment

If you’re celebrating something and want a smooth, curated Champagne day, this checks a lot of boxes.

A few smart preparation tips

Here’s how I’d prep to get the most enjoyment out of a long Champagne day:

• Wear shoes you trust on stairs. The cellar descent is the one physical hurdle that’s clearly stated.
• Bring a light layer. Air-conditioned transport and cellars can feel cool even when the day outside is warm.
• Consider seat preferences early. Return high-speed train tickets are included, but the exact seat class isn’t spelled out here. If that matters to you, confirm at booking.

Also, alcohol tasting is included as part of the experience, so plan your evening after. You’ll arrive back to Paris around 18:00.

Should you book this Champagne tasting with Reims and vineyards?

Book it if you want a high-efficiency day with a private driver, two Champagne houses, and a real vineyard component—without the stress of renting a car or figuring out schedules. You’re getting the core “Champagne day” ingredients: Reims history, cellar access, six total tasting glasses, and a lunch stop that keeps you fueled.

Think twice before booking if stairs are a concern for you, or if you dislike the idea of lunch in a golf-club restaurant setting. And if you hate structured timing, this kind of 10-hour itinerary may feel like a marathon.

If your goal is to taste Champagne in context—city heritage in Reims, then grapes and Grand Crus in Mailly-Champagne—this is a solid way to do it in one day.

FAQ

How long is the full-day Champagne tasting from Paris?

The tour runs for about 10 hours.

How many Champagne tastings and glasses are included?

You’ll taste 6 glasses of Champagne total, with 3 glasses at each of two Champagne houses.

What transportation is included between Paris, Reims, and the vineyard area?

You get return high-speed train tickets between Paris and Reims. A private car and driver handle transfers between the city stops, the lunch location, the second Champagne house, and the train station.

Is lunch included, and what is it like?

Lunch is included. It’s a traditional French lunch served at a countryside restaurant located in a golf club in the nearby town of Bezannes.

Are there any restrictions for minors?

Yes. There is an alcohol tasting restriction for under 18 years old.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

Yes. Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the experience start time for a full refund.