48 Hours in Reims – The Perfect Weekend in Champagne
I visited Reims for the first time for my one-year anniversary with my husband, and it was one of the most fun and romantic weekends we’ve had. Ever since I moved to Paris, Reims had been on my list – partly because of the Champagne and partly because of how close it is to Paris. We packed a lot into 48 hours and left wishing we had stayed longer. This itinerary covers everything we did and everything I would do againt. If you are looking for a weekend trip from Paris that feels genuinely special, Reims is it.
Before You Go – What to Know About Reims
Before you start planning your Reims weekend, a few things worth knowing. First, getting there is easy. Reims is just 45 minutes from Paris by TGV from Gare de l’Est, which makes it one of the best and most accessible weekend trips from the capital. Trains run frequently and the journey itself is painless. Once you are there, you do not need a car to enjoy the city – the cathedral, the Champagne houses, and restaurants are all within easy walking distance of each other. That said, if you want to explore beyond Reims – the vineyard routes, the smaller village producers, and Épernay – a rental car for day 2 opens everything up significantly. The best time to visit is May through October when the vineyards are at their most beautiful, but if you can time your visit for September or October during harvest season, do it; the energy in the region is unlike anything else.
Day 1 – Reims
Morning – Reims Cathedral
Start your Reims weekend at the Cathédrale Notre-Dame de Reims (and make sure to go early). By mid-morning the tour groups arrive and things can get hectic. In the quiet of the early morning, with the light coming through the windows and almost no one else around, the cathedral is incredible. Built in the 13th century on the site where Clovis, the first King of the Franks, was baptized in 496 AD, this is one of the great Gothic cathedrals of Europe and a UNESCO World Heritage Site… the place where the kings of France were crowned for nearly a thousand years. Allow at least an hour inside
After the cathedral, take some time to explore the streets around it. Reims was almost entirely destroyed during WWI and rebuilt in the 1920s.
Afternoon – Champagne Tasting
For your afternoon tasting I recommend Taittinger. Taittinger is one of the last great independent family-owned Champagne houses in Reims and the cellar visit is unlike anything else in the city. The experience begins with an introductory film about the house and the family behind it, and then takes you underground into crayères dating back to the 4th century. The Champagne itself is exceptional and the whole visit feels special rather than touristy. Make sure to book well in advance – Taittinger sells out quickly, especially in summer.
Evening – Dinner in Reims
Reims has a genuinely good restaurant scene so take your time finding a spot that feels right rather than settling for the first terrace you walk past. Whatever you order, make sure the local specialties make an appearance. Andouillette is deeply Champenois – a pork sausage that is very much an acquired taste but worth trying if you are curious. Jambon sec de Reims is excellent. And do not leave without trying biscuits roses de Reims – the iconic pink biscuits that have been made in the city since the 18th century, traditionally dunked in Champagne, and the most perfect way to end a day in the region.
Day 2 – Into the Vineyards
One of the best things about basing yourself in Reims for a weekend is how much is within easy reach. On day two, get out of the city and into the vineyards – here are two ways to do it depending on what you are looking for. You will need a rental car or to hire a driver for this.
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Option 1 – Day Trip to Epernay & the Avenue de Champagne
If you have not yet been to Épernay, this is the day to go. The drive from Reims takes approximately 25 minutes and the route through the Montagne de Reims – forested hills, vine-covered slopes, and a succession of small villages – is beautiful. Épernay is the capital of Champagne and the Avenue de Champagne is its most famous street… a grand, tree-lined boulevard lined on both sides with the big mansions and estates of the world’s most famous Champagne houses. It is recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is genuinely one of the most impressive addresses in all of France. Beneath it lies an estimated 200 million bottles of aging Champagne, which is why it is sometimes called the most valuable street in the world. Book a cellar visit at Moët & Chandon or Perrier-Jouët for the morning, have lunch in Épernay, and drive back through the vineyards in the afternoon stopping wherever catches your eye.
If you’re interested in learning about the history of the region, I’d also highly recommend visiting Château Perrier.
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Option 2 – Small Grower Visits Outside Reims
If you did Taittinger on day one and want a completely different kind of Champagne experience on day two, spend it with the small independent growers starting with Roger Coulon in Vrigny, just 20 minutes from Reims. This ninth-generation family estate on the Premier Cru slopes of the Montagne de Reims is my personal favorite Champagne visit in the entire region. In the summer, Roger Coulon offers picnic visits in the vineyards which is honestly one of the most memorable ways to spend an afternoon in the region. From Vrigny you can continue to Champagne Météyer in Trélou-sur-Marne or Champagne Pannier in Château-Thierry if time allows – both are within 45 minutes. For full details on each of these producers read my complete guide to the best Champagne houses to visit.
Where to Stay in Reims
Reims has a genuinely impressive hotel scene for a city its size and staying central is the right move. Everything you need for a 48-hour weekend is walkable from the city center, so put yourself as close to the cathedral as possible and you will not regret it.
domaine les crayers
Domaine les Crayères is a Belle Époque château set in a private park of century-old trees, with two Michelin-starred restaurants, a spa, and twenty rooms of extraordinary elegance. The hotel is within walking distance of the most famous Champagne houses in Reims and the attention to detail throughout is exceptional. If you are going to splurge anywhere in the Champagne region, this is where to do it.
la caserne chanzy hotel & spa
La Caserne Chanzy Hotel & Spa is directly opposite Reims Cathedral – a perfect location. The now hotel was once 19th-century barracks which has been turned into a sleek, sophisticated boutique hotel with a full spa including an indoor pool, hammam, and sauna. La Grande Georgette restaurant on site serves traditional French cuisine and the Champagne bar in the lobby is exactly where you want to be after a day of tasting.
grand hotel des templiers
A beautifully restored 19th-century mansion about a 15-minute walk from the cathedral. At Grand Hôtel des Templiers you’ll be surrounded by ornate interiors, high ceilings, and the kind of old-world French elegance that makes a weekend in Champagne feel perfect. Plus there’s an indoor, heated pool!
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How to Get to Reims
by train
Getting to Reims is one of the easiest parts of planning this trip. From Paris, the TGV from Gare de l’Est takes just 45 minutes – which means you can leave Paris after breakfast and be arriving to the region before lunch. Trains run frequently throughout the day and the journey itself is seamless. Book your tickets in advance through Omio for the best prices, especially on weekends when seats fill up quickly.
by car
If you are driving from Paris, Reims is approximately 1.5 hours and the drive through the Champagne countryside as you approach the city is beautiful. A car is worth considering if you plan to spend day 2 exploring the vineyards and smaller villages outside the city, since public transport between the smaller producers is limited. That said, if you are sticking to the city itself for both days the train is the easier and more enjoyable option.
Reims is one of those places that stays with you. The kind of city you think about on the train home and immediately start planning your return. Whether you spend your 48 hours moving between Champagne cellars and cathedral chapels, driving through the vineyard routes at golden hour, or simply sitting on a terrace somewhere with a very good glass of Champagne in hand… it’s hard to do this city wrong. I hope this guide helps you plan a weekend that feels as special as ours did. Santé!
Check out my complete Champagne packing guide!
Planning a Trip to France?
I am a licensed, Paris-based travel advisor who plans custom France itineraries for travelers who want to experience the country the way it deserves to be experienced – intentionally and free of tourist traps. From a long weekend in Paris to a multi-region road trip, I handle every detail so you don’t have to. If you’re not ready for full-planning services, I also offer 1-hour “France Audit” calls to go over your itinerary, share recommendations, and answer any questions you have!
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