One Day Trip to Champagne from Paris Solo
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Spending a day in Champagne country is a bucket list travel destination I was able to check off during a Paris solo trip that I highly recommend! This guide to taking a one day trip to Champagne from Paris will give you everything you need to know before you go for the best experience.
And if you enjoy this post, you’ll love my guide to getting a VAT refund from Paris luxury shopping, too!
Here’s my full Paris and Champagne solo trip itinerary so you can plan the perfect trip!
How to Get to There
I took a fantastic small group Champagne tour, which included pick up from my hotel and roundtrip transportation from Paris to Champagne by car. The views become increasingly scenic as you leave this city and drive through French countryside en route to the hilly vineyard landscapes of Champagne. And the grass was already quite green visiting Champagne France in late March and early April during my trip!
So driving to Champagne is a solid option whether as part of a tour (my recommendation for the least stressful experience) or if you rent a car in Paris. You can also take a day trip from Paris by train, currently via either Swiss Railways or SCNF. Both routes take about one hour and 15 minutes and tickets start at 30 euro.
When to Visit
The best time to visit Champagne, France depends on what you’re most interested in. I visited at the beginning of April and, while the vineyards were pretty bare, was able to have a fabulous experience with both indoor and outdoor activities. One thing to note at this time of year is that the weather is cold and windy.
If you want to take in the wine harvesting process, it’s better to visit in the fall. And Champagne in the summertime provides the most opportunity for outdoor meals and activities. I did not mind the cold weather during my day trip but would definitely want to return during warmer months if I was staying overnight.
Planning to visit Champagne during a Paris itinerary? Spend a day in Goutte d’Or, too!
Things to Do
The main attraction, of course, is to visit champagne houses! There are big name ones like Veuve Clicquot, and Moet & Chandon as well as smaller name houses you might not have heard of but are just as fabulous.
We started the day in a vineyard with a full demonstration of how to properly open, pour, and taste champagne from our guide, Alex.
From there, we visited four different houses, starting with Champagne Mercier, which included an interactive tour through their centuries old limestone cellars three kilometers underground! At each house, we learned about the history, winemaking process, and even a bit about distribution–and of course tasting lots of champagne.
And let me just say that the champagne tasted better than any I’ve had, went down smoothly, and I didn’t even have a hint of a headache or hangover after several glasses.
If I were to return to Champagne in the summer, I’d love to do a bike tour through the vineyards. And at any time of year, you can visit Reims Cathedral or one of two museums: Museum of Champagne Wine and Regional Archaeology or Pressoria!
If you’re looking for something closer to home, check out my experience at Messina Hof Winery in Bryan, Texas.
Day Trips from Paris to Champagne Country
The guided tour I took including 8 tastings and lunch as well as roundtrip transportation and breakfast. Alex was an extremely knowledgable and hospitable guide and I highly recommend booking this guided trip to Champagne!
Note that this is an early trip in order to make the most of the day and plan your night before accordingly.
This small group excursion is limited to eight people so we were able to get to know each other over the course of the day. I found it to be a great way to meet new folks during a solo trip!
Here are a few more Champagne day tour options:
Check out my top tips for women traveling solo, while you’re here!
What to wear in Champagne France?
When visiting Champagne in March or April, the weather will still be quite chilly so I recommend dressing warm and in layers. Especially if you will be visiting the cellars of champagne houses, which are far underground and quite cool year-round.
Carry a cross-body bag or bum bag to remain hands free for holding champagne flutes. And comfortable shoes are highly recommend since there will be lots of walking. I stand by my Stan Smiths for all kinds of excursions!
Here’s my Paris women’s packing list for March in case you’re planning for a bigger trip to Paris and Champagne!
Frequently Asked Questions
It can be. I recommend visiting as part of a group tour versus a private tour to save. The value of the different champagne tastings and house experiences plus transportation worked out well for me.
In my opinion, yes, if you are a food and beverage or history buff. The region is rich with culture and I found the histories of the houses and their winemaking processes fascinating.
Once we got back from Champagne, I did some souvenir shopping then went to dinner and capped off the night at Crazy Horse cabaret! Here’s my honest review of Crazy Horse to help you build your itinerary.
More Favorite Day Trip Experiences
I hope you’ll enjoy a Champagne daytrip soon and very soon. And sharing is caring so be sure to pin this guide to spending a day in Champagne, France for later and follow me on Pinterest. Thanks for reading!