Where to Sip and Stay in France’s Champagne Region

Few wine regions are as globally recognized as Champagne, but navigating it can be a logistical challenge. The region spans several towns and villages across northeastern France, which are mostly spread out, lightly populated and difficult to access without a car. Visits to individual producers often require advance reservations, and some of the most famous maisons aren’t open to the public but offer standalone tasting rooms elsewhere. 

For travelers seeking both efficiency and depth, the city of Reims offers a more practical approach. Located roughly 90 miles northeast of Paris, Reims is the largest city in the region and home to some of Champagne’s most established producers. It’s also the easiest to reach, with direct high-speed trains from Paris and regular service from Charles de Gaulle Airport. 

Unlike Épernay and the smaller wine towns surrounding it, Reims functions as a cultural and economic center. Visitors will find a gothic cathedral that hosted the coronations for centuries and enough Michelin-starred fine dining options to rival the City of Light. It also has a compact shopping district in the center of the city, but it lacks the high-end designer labels like Chanel, Dior and Louis Vuitton that are so frequently found in cities like Paris or Nice, a reflection of the Reims’s more understated character.

How to Get There

Reims is compact enough to explore on foot but large enough to support a longer stay. Several champagne houses offer public tours and guided tastings, many of which are located within walking distance of the city center. It’s one of the few places in the region—and across the country—where car-free wine travel is realistic. The city’s public transit system is robust, consisting of buses and trams.

You can hop on one of France’s high-speed TGV trains from Paris to Reims with departures from both Gare de l’Est and Charles de Gaulle Airport. The train ride is under an hour, while driving can take up to two hours or more, especially with traffic around the French capital. There is also direct TGV service from other major cities, including Strasbourg and Lyon. The main train station, Gare de Reims, is located a short walk from the city’s core. Another nearby station, Gare de Champagne-Ardenne, is five miles south and connected to downtown Reims via tram.

For trips outside the city, travelers can rent a car or book a private driver. Uber does operate within Reims and can occasionally be used for short distances into nearby villages, but return trips can be unreliable and may require advance planning. From Reims, day trips to towns like Épernay, Hautvillers and Mareuil-sur-Aÿ are straightforward by car or local train. These smaller destinations are home to both family-run grower-producers as well as some global brands. But if you don’t want to or can’t make the trip outside the city, many wineries have tasting rooms in Reims itself.

Where to Sip

A few steps from the Reims train station, Charles de Cazanove offers a direct link to the city’s winemaking heritage. The family’s ties to the Champagne region date back to the 16th century, when a glassmaker from the Bigault de Cazanove line traveled to Venice to refine his technique and returned with skills that would be passed down for generations. Today, the house operates a tasting room in central Reims that is open daily throughout the year, apart from Christmas and New Year’s Day. While the current experience emphasizes accessibility and centrality over elaborate tours, its long lineage makes it one of the more historically rooted stops in the city. The setting is informal but well-placed for travelers arriving by train who want to begin tasting shortly after they arrive. Hours are split between morning and afternoon sessions, and reservations are not required.

Founded in 1760, Champagne Lanson is among the oldest continuously operating houses in the region, and its cellar tours reflect that history. Visitors can choose from multiple guided experiences, including walks through a garden and a cellar maze with cuvée tastings. The average visit lasts around two hours and includes interpretation in French or English, with additional languages available upon request. The tours are designed to be immersive, walking guests through the technical and aesthetic aspects of production. Comfortable shoes and warm clothing are recommended, as the caves maintain a constant low temperature.

One of the few remaining family-owned and operated champagne houses, Taittinger is the proprietor of approximately 712 acres of vines across 34 different vineyards, making it one of the most extensive in the region. These vineyards are not open to the public, but the maison has a massive visitors center in Reims. Its cellar caves (surprisingly kid-friendly) also reach deeper underground than most in the area, beginning at the remains of a 13th-century abbey and descending 59 feet into chalk pits carved in the Roman era. The site—part of a UNESCO World Heritage designation—has served various functions over the centuries, including housing for Benedictine monks. Currently, it stores more than 8 million bottles of sparkling wine. Though the cellars are chilly, they are especially refreshing during the summer. Note that there are many stairs, so it may not be ideal for all visitors. A new restaurant is opening on-site this June, with indoor and outdoor seating overlooking the garden.

Spanning 124 acres, Vranken-Pommery offers one of the more theatrical tour experiences in Reims. Guests descend into 98-foot-deep chalk pits—Gallo-Roman in origin—that have been adapted into what the house refers to as “underground cathedrals.” The experience emphasizes visual drama and historic scale, with guided walks that culminate in a tasting of the cuvée of your choice. Tour options include narratives centered around figures like Madame Pommery and Henry Vasnier, each designed to link the brand’s heritage with its current production. As with many cellars in the region, warm clothing and walking shoes are recommended.

Maison Mumm maintains nearly 16 miles of cellars beneath Reims, and its tours reflect both the physical expanse and two centuries of production. Founded in 1827, the house now offers multiple visitor experiences centered on its Grand Cru offerings and Pinot Noir-driven champagnes. Each tour lasts about 90 minutes and concludes with a tasting—some featuring two prestige wines, others pairing cuvées with cheeses. The emphasis on grape varietal specificity, particularly with Pinot Noir, gives Mumm a focused identity within the larger region. Accessibility is partial, and guests with mobility needs should notify staff in advance. Tours are available in multiple languages.

With sublime summer picnics and vineyard strolls tied to the house’s signature style, Veuve Clicquot’s visitor offerings extend far beyond ordinary cellar tours. Now part of the UNESCO World Heritage designation, the cellar tour reveals the origins of the Brut Yellow Label and the invention of blended rosé. During summer months, visitors can attend Le Picnic at the Manoir de Verzy, a site overlooking the vineyards with seasonal dishes paired with Veuve Clicquot cuvées. The house’s approach is expansive, presenting champagne not just as a beverage but as a lifestyle. Otherwise, tours are short—often around an hour—and focused on history, production and presentation.

Where to Stay

Positioned within walking distance of the city center, the Radisson Hotel Reims offers a functional and recently refurbished option for travelers looking to stay under budget. Rooms are compact, with limited closet space, but thoughtfully designed for short stays for solo travelers and couples. Bathrooms feature modern fixtures, LED lighting, and both overhead and handheld shower options. Beds are very comfortable, a detail that makes a noticeable difference after a full day of winery visits. The property includes a fitness center open 24/7, along with a breakfast buffet and an on-site bar and restaurant. For travelers prioritizing cost and proximity over amenities like spa access or luxury fittings, this is one of the best options in Reims.

Location-wise, it doesn’t get much better than this: right across the plaza from the Notre-Dame Cathedral. La Caserne Chanzy occupies a former firehouse reimagined as a modern hotel, and many rooms offer direct views of the cathedral. Interiors have been fully upgraded to five-star hotel standards, and the hotel includes a spa with a hammam, sauna and hydromassage pool. Reservations are required, and access is limited to guests over the age of 12. The hotel’s restaurant, La Grande Georgette, draws locals as well as travelers, with an outdoor kitchen and a heated terrace that faces the cathedral square. (The restaurant’s name references the firetruck that originally served the building.)

It doesn’t get more luxe than staying in a real-life château. Domaine Les Crayères is the most opulent stay in Reims, located on a 17-acre estate formerly owned by the De Polignac family. (The Duchess de Polignac was a close friend of Marie Antoinette.) The château and adjacent cottage house 20 rooms and suites, each styled with classical French furnishings. The setting is calm and offers views of manicured gardens from many of the rooms. The property includes a two-Michelin-starred restaurant, along with one of the most extensive champagne lists in the region. Additional amenities include valet parking, horseback riding, golf, and hiking. Children and dogs are welcome, although pets incur an additional charge. The hotel’s atmosphere is structured around discretion and high-end service, a destination in its own right as much as a base for regional exploration.

Where to Eat

Just down the street from Reims Cathedral, Café du Palais has long functioned as a gathering spot for locals and tourists alike. Its interior is tightly packed, both with tables and with an eclectic mix of artwork from different periods and styles—making the dining room feel more like a salon than a restaurant. Reservations are recommended at peak hours, particularly if you want a table away from the afternoon foot traffic. The menu is broad, accommodating both omnivores and vegetarians, and portions are generous. While outdoor tables offer good people-watching, the more interesting details are inside. The staff manages to balance efficiency with warmth, which is not always a given in restaurants this close to major landmarks.

If you’re looking for the ultimate white tablecloth fine dining in Reims, Le Foch is the answer. And while the restaurants of Reims have extensive wine lists, the one at Le Foch reads more like a catalog, full of opportunities for oenophiles and anyone looking for a new recommendation. Staff are well-versed in both classics and lesser-known producers, and happy to offer guidance. The main courses are polished, but the real star of the show comes after: the cheese cart. Housed under a glass dome and wheeled table to table, the selection is large enough to rival a specialty shop. Guests are welcome to sample as many as they like—though by that stage in the meal, moderation may be more a necessity than a choice.

One of the not-so-secret things about the dining scene in Reims is that many of the wine shops are also wine bars, with food menus ranging from cheese plates with an apéro after work or full dinner menus. At Le Pressoir, the line between wine shop and wine bar is deliberately blurred. Upstairs, guests can order small plates to share (truffle-infused dishes are popular here), and tables turn over quickly. Diners can opt to book a private cellar seating, where the focus is less on formality and more on exploration. Wine offerings extend beyond Champagne to bottles from across France, many of which are available by the glass.

If you’re looking for where the real locals go after hours, this is the place. With its red vinyl booths and crowd-pleasing menu of burgers, onion rings and mozzarella sticks, the atmosphere skews casual and unfussy. But alongside the standard fare, you’ll also find tarte flambée—an Alsatian-style flatbread with crisp edges and rich toppings. The Glue Pot is one of the few places in Reims open later into the evening, making it a reliable stop when more formal restaurants have already closed. It’s also a good destination if you’re looking for live music.

What to See

Occupying a former church deconsecrated in the mid-20th century, Atelier Simon-Marq blends traditional craft with contemporary design. The studio is known for its work in stained glass, both in restoration and new commissions, and has contributed to major projects including repairs at the Notre-Dame Cathedral in Reims. While the company’s origins lie in ecclesiastical art, recent commissions suggest a shift toward modern applications in corporate and residential settings. The space itself retains architectural features from its days as Église du Sacré-Cœur, adding another layer of interest to a visit. This workshop gives visitors a more behind-the-scenes look than most museums, and visitors come away with a real sense of both the process and technique as well as the finished product. The setting is quiet, and appointments may be necessary depending on the season.

Few buildings in France carry the historical weight of Notre-Dame Cathedral of Reims, where French kings were crowned for centuries. Completed in the 13th century, the Gothic structure is known for its sculptural detail, particularly the “Smiling Angel” statue that has become a symbol of the region. The cathedral is nearly 492 feet long and topped by towers that reach 266 feet high. Its interior vaults rise to 125 feet, making it one of the taller examples of Gothic architecture in Europe. The building suffered significant damage during World War I, including a fire that destroyed much of the roof, though has since been restored to its former glory.

Opened in 1985, the Musée Automobile in Reims houses more than 250 vehicles, ranging from early 20th-century models to contemporary designs. It is one of the largest car museums in France in terms of collection size, though its institutional feel is softened by the fact that many of the items on display are owned by private collectors. The space is best suited to visitors with a specific interest in mechanical history rather than general tourism. Among the highlights are 90 rare motorcycles, 7,000 miniature vehicles and more than 80 pedal cars designed for children. Exhibits are updated regularly, and the museum is open every day except Tuesdays and major holidays.

Located in what was once a high school map room, the Musée de la Reddition (or “Surrender Museum”) marks the site where Germany signed its unconditional surrender on May 7, 1945, formally ending World War II in Europe. The original surrender room has been preserved, offering a rare, physical link to one of the most decisive moments of the 20th century. Exhibits cover the Allied presence in Reims, including uniforms, maps, documents and photographs related to the war’s final months. Visitors are introduced to the historical backdrop via a short film before entering the preserved space. The museum also features information on the Inter-Allied General Staff and items connected to the Resistance. The collection is precise in scope and tightly focused on this singular moment in history.

The Musée-Hôtel Le Vergeur offers a layered look at upper-class domestic life in Reims across three centuries, with interiors reflecting styles from the 18th through early 20th centuries. Housed in a former merchant’s residence that dates back to the 13th century, the museum centers on the life and collections of Hugues Krafft, a philanthropist and traveler whose archives include artworks, photographs and ethnographic items from abroad. Rooms retain their original functions, from the reception salons and dining room to servant quarters and a preserved kitchen. The museum also holds rare engravings by Albrecht Dürer and artifacts from Roman-era Reims. Guided visits are recommended for those interested in architecture or decorative arts.