Here’s how to spend the perfect day in Champagne
The best way to get there, and some great places to visit.
This week, I had the pleasure of visiting the Champagne region with Bertrand d’Aleman from My Private Paris. It is an exceptional part of the country and we were able to see a lot during this short trip, from visiting a world-famous Champagne house to wandering around the region’s capital city Reims.
You can listen to our podcast episode below. And look, you can even watch the brand new YouTube video that I published ten seconds ago. Six minutes of Champagne goodness.
Given our day trip really felt perfect, here are some of the main details so you can do it yourself. And of course, if you’re going to book a guide, do it via My Private Paris.
Take the train there
In 45 minutes you can get from central Paris to the heart of Reims. If the quick and inexpensive journey doesn’t seal the deal for you, think of all the hassle you’re avoiding with a car trip, which often ends with traffic on the return to rush-hour Paris.
First stop - roam around Reims
It’s easy to spend the day exclusively on wine-tasting, but you’d be foolish to overlook the city of Reims. Home to two UNESCO World Heritage sites, Reims is a jewel in the crown of this magnificent region. We popped into the impressive Gothic cathedral and marvelled at town’s enormous Roman archway (below).
According to Bertrand, the three things not to be missed in Reims are the Cathedral, La Porte de Mars and the Lycée Roosevelt, which is the high school in which the German army surrendered at the end of the Second World War. Steeped in history both ancient and modern, you can pass a happy few hours strolling these city streets, which reminded me of a quieter, calmer Paris. However, we couldn’t linger too long, there was Champagne to be tasted…
Second stop - a classy coupe of Champagne
Our introduction to Champagne tasting was at the Pommery Champagne estate. What a spectacular setting, from its colourful, Wes Anderson-style building to the incredible cellar entry staircase.
Pommery is perfect for a delicious drink and a quirky photoshoot, thanks to the ever-changing modern art displayed across the estate. Address: 5 Place du Général Gouraud, Reims.
Third stop - visit a private house
After paying homage at the grave of the great Dom Perignon, we wrapped up the day with a visit to the Pierre Paillard Champagne house, which has been established in the region for over 200 years. It is a boutique family business run by brothers Antoine and Quentin, who have created a warm and intimate atmosphere.
Listen to the pod and you'll hear the voice of the house's hospitality manager, Gautier Le Gonidec, as he guided us through a tasting. Address: 2 Rue du 20e Siècle, Bouzy.
Top tip: make the most of your trip with an expert
There are so many places to visit in this region that it can be overwhelming, there are endless possibilities. If your time is valuable, book a guided experience with My Private Paris and let them take care of everything.
My Private Paris is an award-winning travel company creating deluxe itineraries for Paris and beyond. See what they offer here and be sure to let them know that you came from The Earful Tower.
Enjoy this week’s episode and don’t hesitate to click play on this video, it’s really lovely :)
Lastly, if you want to keep your finger on the pulse of Paris and all things Earful Tower, please become a Patreon member and you’ll be able to see the replay of our half-hour chat with the team at the Pierre Paillard Champagne house. I’ll send the link to Substack members separately this week. And bonus: Our 2025 PDF guide to Paris is on the way soon :)
Santé
Oliver