France

Are Champagne Tours From Paris Worth It? (Ultimate Guide)

Some of the most popular things to do in Paris are Champagne tours and day trips. But are they really worth it?

Typically, you pay a lot of money for the excursion. So naturally you’ll want to make sure that you are getting your money’s worth.

Luckily for you, I have done such trips and know all about it. In short: Yes, Champagne day trips are worth it! But surely not all of them.

One day is not a lot of time to see the Champagne region, so you’ll need to pick a really great tour to make the most of it. And I am here to help you pick!

Let’s get to it!

landscape of the champagne region in france with beautiful vineyards and hills and nice sunset

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Are (Luxury) Champagne Tours Worth It? My Take On It

I have done Champagne day trips and also visited the region by myself. And I can definitely recommend booking a day trip to Champagne from Paris if you have the time.

The Champagne is definitely worth seeing, and tasting some of the bubbly should be on your Paris bucket list for sure.

The region is just more than an hour outside of Paris, so if you have a couple of days you should reserve a day for this. I am not a fan of self-organizing a one-day trip (read below why) so I would definitely book with a provider.

But keep in mind that some of these tours offered online only visit one or two wineries that are usually not family-owned.

So it can be a bit hard to find good tours, that will provide you a good inside into the region, and not just a superficial touristic program.

Find below two tours that I think are definitely worth it when thinking about going to Champagne.

Author’s Choice
author in champagne
Champagne Trip with 6 Tastings
  • Nicolas Feuillatte Winery
  • Family-Owned Winery
  • Reims Cathedral
  • Dom Perignon Grave Visit
  • Small Group Tour
  • 11 hours
Best Private Tour
cathedral in champagne
Private VIP Champagne Day Trip from Paris
  • Expert Guide
  • 11 hours
  • Lunch
  • Visit to famous wineries (Pommery & Veuve Cliquot)
  • Reims Cathedral

Paris Day Tours to Champagne VS. Champagne Holiday

If I had to choose between visiting Champagne on a day trip from Paris or going on a designated holiday to Champagne I would pick the latter.

I think one day is barely enough to get a good glimpse of the region, so I would definitely opt for a full-blown holiday instead of a day trip.

If you have the time, combine your Paris vacation with a multi-day trip to Champagne. You’ll want to soak up the charm of the region without being rushed from A to B.

However, going for one day is better than not going at all, so I would definitely say that Champagne is worth visiting, even for a day.

Champagne Day Trip with 6 Tastings, Reims Cathedral & Family Winery from Paris

🤩 5/5 Stars (440 Reviews)

Duration: 11 hours

Included: 6 glasses of Champagne, Tour of two wineries, local guide

Overall, this Champagne Day Trip from Paris is my first choice when looking for a great guided excursion.

There are two different wineries included in this trip, one of them the famous Nicolas Feuillatte. The second visit will be to a local family-owned winery.

I totally appreciate that you will get to see a bigger estate and a smaller one, to get a true feeling of the region.

Also included in this trip is a visit to the beautiful Reims Cathedral, which is another added bonus.

Lastly, you will stop by the gravestone of Dom Perignon, an important cultural site for Champagne lovers.

The group size is limited to 8 people, which is perfect in my opinion.

There is nothing not to love about this day tour to Champagne from Paris.

Champagne VIP Day Trip from Paris With Local Wine Expert PRIVATE

🤩 5/5 Stars (30 Reviews)

Duration: 11 hours

Included: Lunch, Visits to several wineries (including Pommery and Veuve Cliquot)

As far as private excursions to Champagne go, this Champagne VIP Day Trip from Paris is my favorite. This Champagne Tour is definitely worth it.

This tour has everything included that you could possibly need: a private guide who is also a vineyard owner, visits to the most esteemed wineries, and a traditional French lunch.

The best thing about it is you can enjoy it without having to be part of a bigger group!

Obviously, private tours come with a price tag. Since you can bring a couple of people on this trip, I feel the price is quite right.

Overall, you can’t go wrong with this day trip – especially since you can always amend the itinerary to your preferences.

Booking a Guided Tour vs. Self-Organized

There are both pros and cons to booking a guided tour to the Champagne area from Paris versus organizing a day trip there yourself.

While organized tours are generally a little bit more expensive, they have a lot of perks.

The fact that you won’t need to worry about transportation is the biggest one.

Going from Paris to Epernay or Reims by train is easy. Getting around there not so much. Especially between the little villages of the Champagne Region, there is no proper public transport.

Another big perk is availability. Bigger Champagne houses are usually booked up way in advance. Going on a guided tour can help you there for sure since they always have slots on reserve.

The same goes for lunch restaurants. We had such a hard time finding available spots – you won’t have to look around on a guided tour.

Lastly, you’ll want to have a drink or two on this tour. It helps to have a reliable driver or tour guide to take care of the organization and the driving. There is no fun in tipsily trying to navigate back to Paris by yourself.

10 different champagne bottles on a wall next to each other

Private Luxury vs. Group Tours

Of course, there are pros and cons to going with a smaller group or booking a private tour. There are a lot of private tours from Paris to Champagne, and you are probably wondering by now if they are worth it.

Generally, I think it is always worth splurging for a private trip if you are more than two people. This way, you barely pay more than in a group tour.

One thing to be cautious of when booking private luxury tours from Paris to Champagne is these tours that only include the driver. You’ll want a local guide to show you around, and not just a chauffeur that drops you off.

The private tour I suggested above definitely includes a great wine expert who can teach you a lot on your tour. I would say it is worth the money.

Best Time to Visit the Champagne Region

Every season in the Champagne region has a different charm.

Especially summer and autumn are considered the peak season in Champagne. Autumn is harvest season, with many festivities and attractions. Both summer and autumn are the most crowded.

I prefer visiting the Champagne region in spring. The weather is usually lovely and the area is a lot more quiet.

France of course is also always a great destination for a Christmas weekend getaway.

Conclusion: Are Champagne Tours From Paris Worth It?

In this post you learned about my favorite Day Trips to the Champagne region from Paris and why they are worth it.

Champagne should definitely be on your Paris itinerary, so make sure to put a day trip on your bucket list.

The Champagne Day Trip with 6 Tastings, Reims Cathedral & Family Winery from Paris definitely wins this competition hands down. It is one of the most frequently booked trips out there, and the reviews are raving!

If you prefer booking a private trip, I have also found several great tours for every taste and budget.

If one day in Champagne is not enough, I suggest checking out my 3 Days in Champagne Itinerary.

Another great region in France that wine lovers will absolutely cherish is the Alsace. Their sparkling wine is just as unique, and the Alsace region is great for a road trip.

Learn about the best time to go to Champagne before booking your trip.

FAQ

Is Champagne worth visiting?

Yes, Champagne is definitely worth visiting. The region offers beautiful landscapes, fantastic sparkling wine, and delicious cuisine. It is one of the most interesting regions in France, for wine lovers and other travelers alike.

Can you do a day trip to Champagne from Paris?

Yes, you can do a day trip to Champagne from Paris. The Champagne region is about two hours outside of Paris, so you can conveniently go there for just a day with an organized group tour or by train or car.

Which is better Reims or Epernay?

Epernay is for many people better than Reims. The city of Epernay is where many of the most famous Champagne houses are located. It has a certain charm and uniqueness to it, that Reims does not have. While Reims has some beautiful landmarks, the city itself is not as beautiful.

How far is Paris from the Champagne Region?

The Champagne region is about 145 km (90 m) outside of Paris. It will take you around 2 hours to drive to Champagne with a car. The train takes about two hours and is a convenient way to get there.