Renting a Car in Champagne, France – Everything You Need to Know

Pin Me

There are two ways to experience Champagne, and most people only do one of them. They visit the grand houses, they walk the Avenue de Champagne, they take the train between Reims and Épernay and call it a trip. And that is a perfectly good trip. But the version of Champagne that stays with you… the one with the vineyard viewpoints and the village roads and the small producers who have been making wine the same way for generations… that version requires a car. Driving in Champagne is not just a practical decision. It is as much a part of the experience as anything you will taste or visit. The landscape is extraordinary, the routes are beautiful, and the freedom to stop whenever you want is something public transport simply cannot give you. This guide covers everything you need to know about renting a car in Champagne – from how to book and what to drive to the routes worth building your trip around.

Do You Need a Car in Champagne?

Of course it depends on how you want to experience the region, but I would say yes. Reims and Épernay are both perfectly manageable without a car. Reims is walkable, well connected by TGV from Paris, and most of the grand Champagne houses are within easy reach on foot or by taxi. Épernay is even more compact – the Avenue de Champagne is a straight line and everything worth seeing is on it. If your Champagne trip is purely city-based, you can do it comfortably without ever getting behind the wheel.

But in my opinion, the best parts of Champagne are not in the cities. They are on the roads between them. The village producers tucked into the hillsides, the Côte des Blancs south of Épernay where the Chardonnay vines stretch as far as you can see. Places like Château-Thierry, Trélou-sur-Marne, and Vrigny – all of which are virtually impossible to reach without a car. Not only does a car add convenience, it unlocks a completely different version of the region – one worth seeing.

How to Rent a Car in Champagne

Renting a car in Champagne is straightforward – here is everything worth knowing before you book.

Where to Book

I recommend booking through Discover Cars, which compares rates across all the major rental companies in one place so you always get the best price without having to check five different websites. I recommend booking in advance – especially between May and October when the region is at its busiest and availability gets tight quickly.

Where to Pick Up Your Car in Champagne

You have a few options depending on how you are arriving. If you are coming by train from Paris, Reims city center and the Reims TGV station both have rental options and are the most convenient pick-up points for starting your trip in the north of the region. If you are heading straight to Épernay, there are rental options there too. I picked up my rental at the train station in Reims, and it was easy and straightforward.

What Type of Car to Rent

A small to mid-size car is ideal for Champagne… the village roads are narrow and parking can be tight. You will thank yourself for not renting an SUV the first time you try to navigate a one-lane road between the vines.

Automatic vs Manual

This is worth flagging for American travelers – manual transmission is the default in France and automatic vehicles cost more and have limited availability. If you need an automatic, request it specifically when you book and do not leave it until the last minute. Availability can be very limited at smaller pickup locations.

Insurance

Make sure you understand what your rental includes before you drive away. Most basic rentals come with third party liability but not full collision coverage. Check whether your credit card offers rental car insurance – many do – and if not consider adding the collision damage waiver through Discover Cars when you book. It is worth the extra cost for peace of mind, particularly on narrow village roads.

Driving in Champagne – What to Know

If you are an American driving in France for the first time, a few things are worth knowing before you hit the road.

Speed Limits

Speed limits in France are strictly enforced and the cameras are everywhere – particularly on the main routes between Reims and Épernay. In towns and villages the limit is 50 km/h (about 30 mph). On open roads outside towns it is 80 km/h (about 50 mph). On motorways it is 130 km/h (about 80 mph), dropping to 110 km/h in rain.

Priorite a Droite

In France, unless a sign tells you otherwise, vehicles coming from the right have priority – even on roads that look like they should have right of way. In the villages and on the smaller roads of Champagne this comes up regularly. When in doubt, slow down and let the car on the right go first.

Parking

Parking in the Champagne villages is generally easy and free (one of the great pleasures of driving in rural France compared to Paris). In Reims and Épernay you will find paid parking in the city centers but nothing complicated. At most of the small producer visits there is space to pull in directly at the domaine.

Drinking & Driving

The legal blood alcohol limit in France is 0.05% – lower than the US limit of 0.08%. If you are doing multiple tastings in a day, designate a driver or arrange a taxi or private transfer for the day. Do not risk it – the fines are severe and more importantly it is simply not worth it.

What to See & Do Along the Way

The beauty of driving in Champagne is that the stops are the experience. Here is what is worth building your route around.

Visit a Small Grower/Producer

The small independent growers (like Roger Coulon in Vrigny and others), are all located in villages with no reliable public transport and are virtually impossible to visit without your own car. Read my complete guide to the best Champagne houses to visit before you plan your route!

Pressoria – Ay

If you are new to Champagne and want to understand what you are looking at before you start visiting producers, stop at Pressoria in Aÿ first. It’s a great introduction to the world of Champagne… an immersive museum built inside a stunning 19th-century building that tells the full story of the region, the grapes, and the production process. It’s one of the best things to do in Champagne regardless of your level of wine knowledge.

Avenue de Champagne – Epernay

The Avenue de Champagne is one of the most impressive streets in France – a grand tree-lined boulevard lined on both sides with the magnificent mansions and estates of the world’s most famous Champagne houses. Walk the full length, book a cellar visit at Moët & Chandon or Perrier-Jouët, and have lunch in Épernay.

How to Get to Champagne

Getting to Champagne is easy and how you arrive will determine where you pick up your rental car. Here are a few things to consider/think through…

By Train from Paris

The TGV from Paris Gare de l’Est to Reims takes just 45 minutes and trains run frequently throughout the day. This is the most convenient option if you are coming from Paris. You’ll arrive in Reims, pick up your rental car at the station or in the city center, and you are on the road within the hour. If you are heading straight to Épernay, there are also direct trains from Paris taking approximately 1 hour 20 minutes. Book your train tickets in advance through Omio for the best prices.

By Car from Paris

If you are already renting a car for your entire France trip, driving to Champagne from Paris is simple – approximately 1.5 hours heading east. The drive is straightforward and the approach to Reims through the Champagne plains with the cathedral rising in the distance is a memorable arrival to say the least.

From Charles de Gaulle Airport

If you’re flying directly into Paris and planning to visit Champagne from there, Reims is approximately 1 hour 15 minutes from Charles de Gaulle by car, making Champagne a very natural first or last stop on a France trip. Pick up your rental car at the airport, drive straight to Champagne, and start your trip surrounded by vineyards! It is one of the best ways to begin a France itinerary and one that most visitors never consider.

Champagne is one of the most beautiful regions in France to drive… and one of the most rewarding. The roads between the cities are as worth your time as the cities themselves, and the producers you can only reach by car are some of the most memorable experiences the region has to offer. Rent the car, take the scenic route, and pull over whenever something catches your eye. You will not regret it.

If you’re visiting Champagne, don’t miss…

• Bucket List Things to Do in Champagne, France
• Best Luxury Hotels in Champagne, France
• What to Pack for Champagne – A Season by Season Guide

Like this post? Share with others on Pinterest!

Pin Me

Pin Me

Disclosure:  This post may contain affiliate links, meaning I get a commission if you decide to purchase through my link, at no cost to you.