Champagne had been on my travel list for years, but with only 24 hours to spare, I wanted to make the most of it. This guide isn’t about ticking boxes, it’s about experiencing the best of the region in a short time—staying in a château surrounded by vineyards, dining at a two-star Michelin restaurant, exploring UNESCO-listed chalk cellars, and discovering small Champagne producers whose bottles never leave France. It was a whirlwind, but one that captured the essence of Champagne with history, craftsmanship, and a lot of unforgettable glasses along the way.
If you’ve only got a day in Champagne, you can still taste the region’s magic—history-soaked cellars, Michelin-starred dining, and vineyard views for miles. Here’s exactly how we did it.
Where to Stay in Reims – Château de Sacy
I’m a sucker for small, intimate boutique hotels, and while there are several good options in Reims, my choice was Château de Sacy. Just 20 minutes outside the city, it offers the perfect balance of vineyard tranquility and easy access to Champagne’s highlights.
The château was built in 1850 by Pierre-Louis Gosset and has lived many lives—private residence, hospital, and even a British military post during WWII. After years of neglect, it was meticulously restored in 2015 by the Millésime Group. Today, its 54 windows overlook Montagne de Reims vineyards, and its 11 rooms pay tribute to Champagne’s history with names like Marie Antoinette, Madame de Pompadour, and Winston Churchill.
Our room, Nuit de Miel, was elegant and cozy, with sweeping vineyard views. The château combines charm with modern luxury, and details like Champagne candies in the room, vine-seed gift cards, and a boutique selling porcelain, soaps, and perfumes make it feel personal.
The highlight? Champagne on the terrace at sunset, where sommeliers perform sabrage and serve rare bottles in vintage glassware. Dinner at Restaurant de Sacy was equally memorable: regional ingredients elevated by Chef Guillaume Diether, paired perfectly with the bubbles. Afterward, we soaked in the Nordic hot tubs facing the vines, watching the château glow at night.
Lunch at Le Parc Restaurant – Two Michelin Stars at Les Crayères
The next day, we had reservations at Le Parc, the two Michelin-starred restaurant at Domaine Les Crayères in Reims. Housed in a former château once owned by the Pommery family, the dining room is spectacular: chandeliers, high ceilings, and views of manicured lawns.
Chef Christophe Moret creates French gastronomy with precision and generosity. My main course was a John Dory fillet with citrus, fennel, and shellfish marinière, while others in my group chose the pigeon à la Montmorency with violet turnips and scarlet sauce. A tip if you’re going: the four-course Inspiration Menu (€120) is great value, including starter, main, cheese, and dessert.
The wine program is extraordinary: 2,500 French references and 1,100 champagnes, presented in two illustrated tomes. Unlike many places, Le Parc focuses on mature vintages, cellared until ready to drink. I had a glass of Rothschild champagne, which paired beautifully with seafood.
One of the highlights was the legendary cheese trolley. Normally part of the six-course menu, the staff made it happen for us anyway, wheeling out a cart stacked with everything from pungent, hidden treasures to crowd-pleasers. Served with dried grapes, nuts, and their own Chardonnay marmalade, it was unforgettable.
Dessert came with petits fours and extra courses along the way, but the standout was the wild strawberry cheesecake. Rain poured outside, making the experience cozy, elegant, and one of the most memorable meals of the trip.
Here is our full Le Parc dining experience.
Ruinart Cellar and Champagne Tasting Tour
In the afternoon, we visited Maison Ruinart, the oldest Champagne house, founded in 1729. I had known from the start that I wanted to include at least one cellar visit, and Ruinart was the obvious choice.
The experience begins in an elegant lounge before descending into the crayères, the UNESCO-listed chalk quarries lying 40 meters below Reims. These vast white corridors stretch for 8 kilometers, cool and silent, ideal for aging bottles. During WWI, the cellars sheltered citizens and even housed Ruinart’s offices.
While Champagne blends often include Pinot Noir and Meunier, Chardonnay is Ruinart’s signature. Since 1947, the house has embraced Chardonnay as the heart of its style—fresh, luminous, mineral-driven—showcased in the Dom Ruinart Grand Cru vintages. Their vineyards in Sillery (Grand Cru) and Taissy (Premier Cru) remain the foundation.
The tour revealed craftsmanship from riddling (hand-turning bottles to clarify wine) to aging traditions, before ending with a tasting. Each guest chooses two champagnes; I went for the Blanc de Blancs, which was fresh, elegant, and perfectly balanced. Some vintages are rare treasures, usually only found at Michelin restaurants or the maison’s boutique.
Read more for my full experience.
Gift Shopping at Veuve Clicquot Boutique
Before leaving Reims, we stopped at Veuve Clicquot’s boutique for gifts. I wanted their famous Arrow Tin, a customizable box where they print your chosen city and its distance from Reims. It’s a fun keepsake and makes for a stylish gift.
The boutique also has a café/bar, which sadly closed early due to rain during our visit. But on a sunny day, it’s worth trying a glass there.
Visit Épernay
From Reims, we drove to Épernay, a smaller town but the beating heart of Champagne’s trade. Known as the “Capital of Champagne,” it is home to Avenue de Champagne, a 1.5 km stretch lined with opulent mansions and maisons, beneath which lie more than 200 million bottles. Since 2015, the avenue has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Épernay has a slower pace than Reims, but the architecture, courtyards, and cellars make it extraordinary.
Walk the Avenue de Champagne
Next, we walked the Avenue de Champagne, lined with historic maisons like Moët & Chandon, Pol Roger, and Perrier-Jouët. Beneath the street lies a labyrinth of cellars, storing millions of bottles.
We ended at Perrier-Jouët’s Cellier Belle Époque, a beautifully designed champagne bar decorated with their signature floral motif. With terraces and curated pairings, it’s the perfect spot for a glass of Champagne.
Champagne Tasting at Club Trésors de Champagne
Our first stop in Épernay was Club Trésors de Champagne, the first association of winegrowers (founded in 1971). Tastings cost €20 or €30, and the boutique stocks exclusive bottles not sold elsewhere. Look up, and you’ll see numbered bottles hanging from the ceiling—pull one to learn its story.
The Club is renowned for its Spécial Club cuvées—prestige vintages produced only by members and approved through blind tastings. Distinctive bottles and terroir-driven styles make them collector favorites. It’s a small venue, so I recommend arriving early.
Champagne Shopping at Les Grands Vin de France
Before heading out, we stopped at Les Grands Vins de France, a Champagne wine shop with over 300 grower references. I came specifically for Ratafia Champenois—a fortified sweet wine made from grape must and brandy, long reserved for local consumption but now experiencing a revival.
Served chilled (6–9 °C), ratafia is versatile: perfect as an aperitif, with foie gras, cheese, or fruit desserts. Rich and aromatic, it’s a hidden gem of the region, and one I was happy to bring home.
How to Get to Reims from Paris, London & Beyond
Getting to Reims From Paris
The easiest way is by TGV train from Gare de l’Est (≈ 45 minutes) or directly from Charles de Gaulle airport to Champagne-Ardenne TGV station. From there, a short taxi or rideshare brings you to Ruinart at 4 rue des Crayères.
Getting to Reims From London
Take the Eurostar from London St Pancras to Paris Gare du Nord (≈ 2 hours 15 min). From there, transfer to the TGV at Gare de l’Est—just a short walk away—for another ≈ 45 minutes to Reims. In total, you can go from central London to Reims in under 4 hours, making Ruinart a very doable day trip or weekend escape.
By car: If driving, the A4 motorway connects Paris to Reims in about 1 hour 30 minutes. Parking is available at the street for a parking fee.
How to Get to Épernay from Paris, London & Beyond
Épernay is about 130 km east of Paris and just 30 km south of Reims, making it very accessible whether you’re coming from France, the UK, or beyond.
Getting to Epernay From Paris
By train: Take the TGV from Paris Gare de l’Est to Épernay. Some trains are direct (~1h15), while others connect through Reims.
By car: Driving takes about 1h30 via the A4 motorway. It’s a straightforward route and lets you explore smaller villages and vineyards along the way. Parking is available in town and near Avenue de Champagne.
Getting to Epernay From London
Take the Eurostar from London St Pancras to Paris Gare du Nord (~2h15). From there, walk or take the metro to Gare de l’Est and continue by TGV to Épernay (~1h15). In total, the journey is usually 4–5 hours door to door.
Alternatively, driving from London (via the Eurotunnel or ferry at Calais) takes ~5.5 hours to Épernay. This can be a good option if you plan to stock up on bottles to bring home.
Getting to Epernay From Reims
Épernay is a short hop from Reims:
By train: Local TER trains connect the two cities in about 30 minutes.
By car: The drive is scenic and takes roughly the same time, winding through vineyard villages along Montagne de Reims.
Visiting Champagne felt like stepping into a world I’d always heard about but never truly imagined. Everyone knows the drink, but far fewer actually come here—often choosing other parts of France for a holiday. And yet, for champagne lovers, food enthusiasts, and wine connoisseurs, this region is a dream destination.
For us, not being deeply invested in Champagne beforehand, this guide is simply a glimpse into what you can experience: a mix of highlights that made our trip unforgettable. From boutique château stays and Michelin-starred dining to historic Champagne cellars and tastings, these were my personal top picks.
I didn’t know what to expect when we set out, but Champagne surprised me in all the best ways. It’s a trip I won’t forget anytime soon—and one I can’t wait to return to.
Have questions about going to the Champagne area in France? Drop them in the comments!
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