If you’re a lover of champagne, then a visit to the Champagne region in Reims France is an absolute must! Not only will you be able to taste some of the world’s most exquisite sparkling wines, but you’ll also get to explore the historic vineyards and cellars where it is produced.
But with so many options for Reims Champagne day tours, it can be tricky to find the perfect fit.
To help you uncork the ultimate experience, I’ve curated a list of 5 exceptional champagne tasting trips that I think you’ll love. At least I did!
In this article, I share the 5 best Champagne Houses I visited in Reims, along with 5 amazing day tours that include tastings. I’ll take a closer look at what makes these tours so fun and why every wine lover will want to add them to their bucket list.
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Reims Champagne Tours – Which is Best In My Opinion
Don’t have time to read the whole article? No worries! The best day tour is the ‘Morning Champagne Tour and Tastings’ because:
- guided wine tour in the countryside of Reims
- visit two family-run estates offering a more intimate experience
- enjoy 6 tastings
- time commitment is only 4 hours
- it has a ⭐️rating of 4.9/5 and nothing but glowing reviews!
5 Best Champagne Tours in Reims
1: Pommery Champagne Tasting Tour in Reims
⭐️ RATING: 4.8/5 Stars | ⏳ TOUR LENGTH: 5 hours
Believe me, Champagne lovers, the Pommery tour is a must! I spent five fantastic hours exploring their UNESCO-listed cellars. Walking through these historic tunnels and learning how they make their bubbly magic happen.
Some of the interesting facts I learned while on this tour include:
- Reims is nicknamed the “Capital of Champagne” and is the largest city in the Champagne region
- The Champagne region, listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in France, is known for its cool climate and chalky soil, which is ideal for growing the three main grape varieties used in Champagne production: Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, and Pinot Meunier
- The Champagne harvest (“vendange”) is a manual process in September, selecting the best grapes for Champagne
But the tour doesn’t stop there! We also ventured out into the stunning Montagne de Reims vineyards. Seriously, the scenery is postcard-perfect. And guess what?
The best part, though? We visited a charming, family-run winery and tasted their delicious wines. Five tastings in total, mind you! It was the perfect way to understand the nuances of Champagne and appreciate the craftsmanship.
2. E-Bike From Reims Champagne Tasting Tour
⭐️ RATING: 4.8/5 Stars | ⏳ TOUR LENGTH: 5-7 hours
Ugh, that E-Bike Champagne Day Tour looked incredible! Imagine cruising through those UNESCO vineyards and charming villages with the wind in your hair. Plus, regional lunch and five Champagne tastings?
Sign. Me. Up. Totally kicking myself I didn’t have time for this epic adventure.
Some of the highlights this tour offers:
- visit the quaint village of Hautvillers, and cycle down the scenic Marne Canal
- lunch is included
- 5 tastings
“REVIEWERS say – favourite tour and activity of our 2-week trip, small group of no more than 8 people, superb lunch, knowledge and engaging guide, flexiblity to stop and take pictures
3. Champagne Private Day Tour with Tastings
⭐️ RATING: 4.6/5 Stars | ⏳ TOUR LENGTH: 8.5 hours
This private Champagne tour with a guide and car looked amazing. This day tour offers the full experience – from underground cellars to awe-inspiring vineyards. Lunch at a local spot with regional specialties sounds divine, and don’t even get me started on Champagne tastings throughout the day! I didn’t opt for this tour being a solo traveller, I feel this is best for a small group who wants to tour together.
Here are the highlights of this tour:
- private Champagne tour with a guide and private transport
- lunch at a traditional French restaurant
- visit the charming village of Hautvillers, the birthplace and final resting place of Dom Pérignon
- the flexibility to customize your itinerary and explore the region at your own pace with multiple champagne tastings included throughout your day
“REVIEWERS say – guide is local expert taking us to lesser known places, lunch was a highlight, above and beyond our expecations
4. Champagne Region Tour with Tasting and Estate Visit
⭐️ RATING: 4.8/5 Stars | ⏳ TOUR LENGTH: 8 hours
Big sigh! This Champagne Region Tour with tastings and an estate visit looked incredible. Imagine exploring in a small group, learning about bubbly at Pommery, and cruising through those picturesque vineyards. Plus, free time in Épernay for lunch and more Champagne discoveries? I took a pass on this as I feel it would be better experienced as a couple or with a couple of friends.
Highlights of this tour include:
- small group tour offers an intimate and personalized experience
- visit to the world-famous Pommery Champagne estate
- drive through the picturesque Marne Valley vineyards and the village of Hautvillers
- explore Épernay on your own (choose a spot for lunch)
- visit an authentic family domain with 5 tastings
“REVIEWERS say – no way they could have planned a better day on their own, loved the tour, friendly guide, lots covered in full day, great value to experience
5. Tour and Tasting at Veuve Clicquot
⭐️ RATING: 4.8/5 Stars | ⏳ TOUR LENGTH: 8.5 hours
This Veuve Clicquot tour with city sightseeing looked amazing! This tour combines visiting Reims and then diving into the iconic Veuve Clicquot cellars with tastings.
For anyone short on time in Reims, this one is your best bet! It combines a sightseeing tour of Reims with a visit to cellars and tastings. Also, it starts and ends at the train station, making it ideal for anyone coming to Reims for the day from Paris.
This day tour includes:
- visit to the impressive Reims Cathedral, a UNESCO World Heritage site
- free time in Reims to enjoy lunch and see some other top sites
- tour of the well-known Champagne House of Veuve Clicquot with a tasting of 4 glasses
- take a scenic drive through the vineyards of Montagne de Reims
- make a photo stop at the village of Verzenay
- tour a Champagne family estate, and sip on three different Champagnes
“REVIEWERS say – not cheap, but worth every penny, knowledge guide for city of Reims, small group, personalized experience and ease of coming in from Paris made this super easy
5 Best Champagne Houses in Reims
Perhaps the tours above didn’t pique your interest, or maybe you, like me, craved a deeper dive. During my 3 days in Reims, I opted to book a separate Champagne House tour for a more intimate experience.
This is a great option, and many houses offer direct bookings. I walked to each of them (except Veuve Clicquot) and chose two – Taittinger, whose 90-minute tour included a short film, a cave tour, and concluded with a delightful tasting and G.H. Mumm.
Here are my recommended picks to book directly and enjoy!
- Taittinger: Established in 1734, Taittinger is a family-owned Champagne house known for producing elegant and sophisticated Champagnes. They are located in the historic Saint-Nicaise Abbey in Reims, which dates back to the 13th century.
- Veuve Clicquot: Founded in 1772, Veuve Clicquot is one of the most famous Champagne houses in the world. They are known for their iconic yellow label and for popularizing the Champagne production method known as “riddling,” which involves rotating the bottles to remove sediment.
- Pommery: Founded in 1858, Pommery is known for its distinctive pink label and for having the largest cellars in Reims, with over 18 km of underground tunnels. They offer tours of their cellars and a tasting of their signature Champagne.
- Ruinart: Established in 1729, Ruinart is the oldest Champagne house in the world. They are known for their Chardonnay-based Champagnes, which are elegant and refined.
- G.H. Mumm: Founded in 1827, G.H. Mumm is one of the largest Champagne houses in Reims. They are known for their iconic red sash on the label and for producing bold and fruity Champagnes.
On the tours and tastings, I picked up a couple more interesting champagne facts:
- Champagne is made using the Méthode Champenoise which creates bubbles via a second in-bottle fermentation
- The Champagne region produces over 300 million bottles annually, exported to over 190 countries
- Only sparkling wines made in the Champagne region can be officially called “champagne”
FAQ Reims Champagne Day Tours
What is the best time to visit Reims for a Champagne tour?
The Champagne region can be visited year-round, but the best time to visit is during the grape harvest season from mid-August to mid-October. The weather is pleasant during this time, and visitors can witness the excitement of the harvest and grape pressing.
Can children join the Champagne tours?
Most Champagne tours are designed for adults and involve alcohol tastings, so children generally not allowed to join the tours (under the age of 13). However, some Champagne Houses offer non-alcoholic drinks for children and may allow them on the tour.
Do Champagne Tasting Tours in Reims require advance booking?
It is recommended to book Champagne tasting tours in Reims in advance, especially during peak season. Many Champagne Houses offer online booking, and some tours require a minimum number of participants to run.
Are Champagne tours in Reims accessible for people with disabilities?
Some Champagne houses and tours may be accessible for people with disabilities, but it is recommended to check in advance. Visitors with mobility issues should be aware that some Champagne cellars may involve staircases and uneven terrain.
Can I purchase Champagne at the Champagne Houses during the tour?
Yes, most Champagne houses offer the opportunity to purchase Champagne after the tour and tasting. Some Champagne houses also offer exclusive or limited edition Champagnes that are only available for purchase at the cellar door.
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