The Perfect Luxury Weekend Itinerary to Champagne, France
If you are visiting Paris, do yourself a favor and carve out time for a visit to Champagne. You can absolutely do Champagne as a day trip from Paris, but if you’re able to spend a full weekend there I highly recommend it. Rolling vineyard hills, tiny storybook villages, underground chalk cellars, long champagne lunches, and some of the most beautiful hotels in France make this region one of our favorite places to visit. And the best part? It’s incredibly easy to get to from Paris.
Whether you’re planning a quick day trip or looking for the perfect weekend itinerary to Champagne, this guide covers exactly how we spent four unforgettable days exploring the region.
How to Get to Champagne From Paris
One of the easiest ways to visit Champagne from Paris is by train.
We took the train from Gare de l’Est to Champagne-Ardenne TGV, and it was affordable, comfortable, and only about 40 minutes. We’ve done Champagne both ways — driving directly from Paris and taking the train before renting a car, and taking the train is by far the easier option.
Driving out of Paris can be chaotic, especially if you’re not used to navigating a major European city, so I’d skip that stress entirely.
You have two main station options:
Champagne-Ardenne TGV
Located just outside Reims, this is the best option if you plan to rent a car and explore the region.
Reims Centre
Ideal if you’re staying in the city and visiting the larger Champagne houses without needing a car.
Getting Around Champagne
While it’s possible to stay entirely in Reims, we personally love renting a car in Champagne. Having a car gives you so much more flexibility to explore the smaller Grand Cru villages like Bouzy and Aÿ, plus it makes it easy to spend time in both the cities of Reims and Épernay. Many of our favorite experiences in Champagne were actually outside the larger cities!
Where to Stay in Champagne
Royal Champagne Hotel & Spa
The Royal Champagne is hands down one of our favorite hotels in France. Located about 20 minutes outside of Reims in the hills above the vineyards, the hotel has stunning panoramic views over Champagne wine country and feels peaceful while still being close to everything.
What we loved most:
- Extremely baby friendly
- Beautiful spa and wellness area
- Multiple dining options
- Delicious breakfast
- Exceptional service
- Perfect location for exploring both Reims and Épernay
Best Hotels in Reims
If you prefer staying directly in the city, Domaine Les Crayères is one of the most iconic luxury stays in Champagne and is walking distance from several major Champagne houses. Even if you don’t stay here I highly recommend popping in for a drink or dining at their Michelin star restaurant Le Parc!
Other good options:
- La Caserne Chanzy Hotel & Spa for central location and cathedral views
- Hotel Continental Reims for a more modern boutique feel
Best Hotels in Épernay
If you’d rather stay closer to Avenue de Champagne in Épernay check out these hotels:
Can You Do Champagne as a Day Trip From Paris?
Absolutely. If you only have one day, I’d recommend staying in Reims and visiting the larger Champagne houses there since many are close together and easy to access without a car.
Some great options include:
- Ruinart
- Taittinger
- Pommery
- Champagne Palmer & Co
- Veuve Clicquot
While a day trip is possible, if you want the full experience, I highly recommend following a weekend itinerary to Champagne so you have time to explore Reims, Épernay, and the smaller Grand Cru villages.
Our 4-Day Weekend Itinerary to Champagne
Day 1: Aÿ & Arrival at Royal Champagne
Morning: Arrival & Visit Aÿ
After you arrive at the Champagne-Ardenne train station and get your rental car, drive to the village of Aÿ. This Grand Cru village is one of the most historic villages in Champagne and home to several legendary producers. Here you can visit Champagne Bollinger and Champagne Ayala.
If you’re interested in learning more about the history and production of Champagne, stop by the interactive museum Pressoria.
Afternoon: Lunch & Check-in
After your tastings, stop for lunch at one of these great local spots: Rotisserie Henri IV or Ad’Vintage. Rotisserie Henri IV is also great for a dinner option and is very close to the Royal Champagne!
Next, we checked into Royal Champagne Hotel & Spa and spent the afternoon relaxing at the pool and enjoying the vineyard views.
Evening: Michelin Star Dining
After a long day of tastings and travel, you don’t have to go far to get an incredible Michelin star meal. Le Royal is the hotel’s Michelin-starred restaurant where you can taste through local and innovative french cuisine and wines.
Day 2: Bouzy & Épernay
Morning: Visit Bouzy – Pierre Paillard
We started the day in the Grand Cru village of Bouzy with a visit to Champagne Pierre Paillard, a producer I’ve admired for years. This ended up being one of our favorite experiences of the entire trip.
Pierre Paillard is known for its commitment to organic farming practices and its distinctive use of oak aging, which creates beautifully textured, complex Champagnes that feel incredibly expressive of Bouzy’s terroir. One of the highlights of our visit was riding out into the vineyards by jeep to see the first signs of spring in Champagne before heading underground to tour the cellars and taste through several of their cuvées.
It was such an intimate and immersive experience, and one I’d highly recommend if you want to experience Champagne beyond the major houses.
Afternoon: Lunch & Explore Épernay
After your tasting at Pierre Paillard, just 5 minutes down the road is a local spot, Le Bec Fin. Enjoy a full wine list and local Bouzy cuisine.
Once you’ve had your lunch, drive over to Épernay (20 minute drive) and walk down the Avenue de Champagne! This is one of the most famous streets in Champagne and home to several major houses. Keep in mind you will likely need reservations for most of the producers such as Moët & Chandon or Perrier-Jouët. However there are tasting bars and wine shops that offer walk-ins where you can try different producers!
Dinner in Épernay
If you choose to stay in Épernay for dinner La Grillade Gourmande or Sacré Bistro are two great options for dining. If you want local and casual, you could stop at Rotisserie Henri IV on the way back to the Royal Champagne if you have not dined there yet!
Day 3: Reims
Reims is a large city and has so many producers, so I highly recommend a full day here.
Morning: Tour & Tastings
Champagne Taittinger is one of my favorites! They recently renovated their tasting room and opened a brand new Restaurant Polychrome. Not to mention their caves are incredible! I highly recommend a tour and tasting followed by a lunch at the restaurant here.
Other producers to check out:
If you can, book tours in advance because many houses fill up weeks ahead.
Afternoon: Lunch, Tastings and Happy Hour
For a casual lunch, I highly recommend Sacré Burger. This spot has the best burgers plus a fabulous Champagne / wine list. It’s downtown so you can walk around and explore this area as well. Be sure to check out the spectacular Cathédrale Notre-Dame de Reims.
After lunch, you could book another tour & tasting. If you prefer something more casual, pop over to the Ruinart Bar. You don’t need a reservation and can enjoy guided flights and order light bites!
Evening: Dinner with a View
Reims has no shortage of amazing places to dine and have dinner. If you want insane cathedral views in the center of the city, check out Restaurant Gabrielle Toit Terrasse. It’s a fun vibe and the rooftop is awesome!
If you’re in the mood for something even fancier, book a dinner at Le Parc located at Domaine Les Crayeres. Enjoy a drink on their terrace and treat yourself to a multicourse menu. This is the definition of French fine dining.
Late Night Wine Bars
It’s your last night in Champagne, so stay in Reims and check out some of the night life! Le Clos is a fun spot with a large outdoor space and great drink menu. The Glue Pot is a popular wine-lovers spot with an extensive by the glass list with a pub vibe.
Day 4: Spa, Hautvillers & Au Revoir
One thing I loved most about Champagne was how relaxed everything felt compared to Paris. Spend your final morning enjoying breakfast and book a treatment at the spa if you haven’t already! If you have time before you head out, take a quick visit to Hautvillers. This tiny hilltop village is often called the birthplace of Champagne as the home of Dom Perignon who revolutionized Champagne production here in the 17th century. Walk through the village, stop at a wine bar, and enjoy the vineyard views.
Packing List for Your Weekend Itinerary to Champagne
The key to packing in Champagne is layers. I really enjoy visiting in the spring (April is a beautiful month), but obviously the weather depends on when you go. Champagne is a cooler region plus the caves can be chilly, so having a jacket or scarf is typically a good idea.
- Layers – even in the summer, the caves are very chilly!
- Flats – going down stairs and walking around cellars & caves
- Sunglasses – outdoor vineyard walks
- Stick to the staples – I love bringing a skirt, pants and simple tops to mix and match!
- Baby essentials – if you’re traveling with a baby like we were, here are all of my baby travel essentials
Check out my Champagne Lookbook here.
Tips for Traveling to Champagne
- Plan out your weekend itinerary to Champagne by region (one day in Reims, one day near Épernay, Bouzy, Aÿ, etc).
- Book your tours & tastings at least a month in advance.
- Don’t book more than two tours & tastings a day. Most tastings will be at least 2 hours and you don’t want to feel rushed!
- Bringing your baby? No problem! Just include the baby in your reservation or make sure it’s kid-friendly ahead of time (most places are!) Check out all of my tips for traveling to Europe with a baby.
- Use the concierge. If you’re staying at a place like the Royal Champagne, they are happy to help book tastings and meal reservations for you.
- Bring wine sleeves. I always pack a few of these with me on a wine trip. Most wineries don’t export all of their wines, so if there is a special bottle you want to bring home – use one of these and save room in your suitcase!
Final Thoughts
If you love wine, incredible food, luxury hotels, and slower, more intentional travel, Champagne is one of the most rewarding regions to visit in France.
If you’re planning your own weekend itinerary to Champagne, give yourself enough time to slow down and experience what makes this region so special. Spending a few days here allows you to explore beyond Reims, discover the smaller Grand Cru villages, and experience the side of Champagne that makes this region so special. It’s the kind of place that quietly gets under your skin and once you visit, you’ll already be planning your return.
For a full travel guide, check out this 7 Day Guide to Paris & Champagne.
