Day Trip to Champagne

Many visitors when they come to Paris take advantage of the easily accessible train system and go on day trips to places like Giverny, Chartres, Normandy, and of course the various Chateaux (e.g. Versailles or Fontainebleau). But did you know that the Champagne region also makes for a fun day trip, especially for those who enjoy tasting or learning about French wine? From Gare de l’Est in Paris, in less than an hour you can arrive at one of the most famous wine regions in the world! The two major destination points are Reims and also Epernay. I like both, but tend to enjoy Epernay a little more. Besides the wine, there’s also historical sites such as the Roman ruins in Reims, cathedrals, the town centres, and good restaurants. In either town, you can walk from the train station to multiple Champagne houses for dégustation (tasting). There’s usually a small fee involved, especially for the Grand Cru (superior quality) Champagnes. A really nice idea too is finding a place with a seating area such as an attractive courtyard or living room, buy a bottle and share with friends. Bonne dégustation! (Happy tasting)!