Nestled in the heart of France’s picturesque Champagne region, the charming city of Reims is home to some of the most stunningly architectural buildings and important wine producers in the world.
The city is an ideal destination for a Champagne-focused getaway, but unless you’ve been there, you’re probably wondering whether each Maisons de Champagne will leave you with sore feet and new calluses.
So, can you walk to Champagne Houses in Reims?
Fortunately, Reims is pedestrian-friendly. You can walk around the city and get to as many spots as you want without taking the bus or train. Some Champagne Houses are even so close to each other. You can walk from one to another.
In this post, we’ll take you on a tour of some of Reims’ best Champagne Houses. We’ll also show you how to get to each House on foot or via public transportation.
How To Get to Reims
Reims is quite easy to access. If you’re traveling from Paris, which is about 95 miles away, there are a few ways to reach Reims.
Taking the train is one of the most convenient ways to get to the Reims. France has some of the best well-developed high-speed rail networks, and you can connect your trips. Just take the TGV and you’ll be in Reims in 45 minutes. Plus, the trains leave Paris Est station on a regular basis throughout the day.
Driving or renting a car gives you a more personalized experience. It also allows you to access more remote areas and the ins and outs of the city. You should be able to find a fleet of rental cars at any airport in Paris.
However, the main downside is parking. It can be a bit of a challenge to park cars in Reims, so you may have to park outside of the city center. But once you’re in, it will be smooth sailing. Wander around and discover the city’s highlights on foot.
Which Champagne Houses Can You Visit in Reims?
Reims is one of the largest cities in the Champagne region of France. It’s home to some of the most important wine producers in the world. Here are some of the best Reims Champagne Houses you can visit.
Veuve Clicquot
Veuve Clicquot is one of the oldest Champagne Houses in France. It is well-known for its yellow-label brut and luxury goods, but the main highlight of your visit here is its impressive underground cellars. The House’s cellar used to be a hideout during the world war and is now a UNESCO World Heritage site.
Champagne Veuve Clicquot boasts 24 km of crayères and the most extensive in Reims. The caves serve as a museum and home to an interesting exhibit.
From Reims train station, you can reach Veuve Clicquot by foot. It’s a 30-minute walk and gives you a glimpse of the beauty that lies around the city. If you’re coming from Paris, it’s best to reach Veuve Clicquot through a bus, train, or taxi. It’s also close to Champagne Ruinart so you may want to take a 14-minute walk there as well.
Champagne Taittinger
Taittinger is one of the most prestigious Houses in the Champagne region. It boasts an impressive chalky cave with a UNESCO World Heritage site sash. However, their champagne cellars are closed until 2024. But when tourists come here, many go straight to the tasting table in Thibaud IV.
Mansion Taittinger has a lot of story to tell being one of the oldest Champagne Houses in the region. The location of the House is linked to the Counts of Champagne dynasty. So, you get to learn its history while enjoying the flavors and aromas of its iconic cuvées.
To reach the Champagne House by foot, you can take a 10-minute walk from the TGV Reims Center station. You can also take a bus to Hôpital Debré outside the train station. Then, stop at Saint-Timothée and take a 5-minute walk to the Champagne House. It should take you no more than 20 minutes to get here.
Champagne GH Martel & Co
So, here’s another Unesco World Heritage site. Champagne GH Martel & Co was first born in Épernay but is now located in one of the most historical districts in the heart of Reims. It boasts sublime medieval Crayères of about 22 meters deep.
In their cellars, you’ll discover a unique collection of traditional Champenois machinery and tools that the House uses for planting, land maintenance, and harvesting. The cellars are a treasure trove of the Maison’s rich history.
Their tours include a film showing, followed by a tour of their cellars and ecomuseum. Then, there will be wine tasting in their wine shop at the end of the tour.
To get to GH Martel, you can walk from TGV Reims train station and it wouldn’t take you more than 15 minutes. You can also take a bus and stop at St Timothée station and take a 2-minute walk from there.
Maison GH Martel & Co is also just around the corner from Veuve Clicquot and Taittinger, so you might as well visit champagne houses if you’re going to explore either of the two.
Champagne Mumm
The House Mumm is one of the best places to walk into Champagne France. Their cellars house about 25 million champagne bottles, and have a long-standing history when it comes to producing wine. Well, that’s something to be expected from a Champagne House whose lineage is from barons and knights.
Visiting the 25-kilometer estate means exploring its rich history and discovering its champagne-making processes, which have been followed for generations. You can taste their champagnes and have a 100% Grand Cru experience, Cordon Rouge and Cordon Rouge vintage.
They also offer a museum tour. But one you can’t miss is a visit to the Foujita Chapel. The chapel was built and designed by renowned Japanese artist Tsuguharu Foujita in the 1960s. It’s full of Foujita’s frescoes.
And the best part? You can reach Champagne Mumm on foot 15 minutes from Reims train station.
Celliers Ruinart
Ruinart also boasts an impressive chalk cave that preserves the House’s highly coveted signature cuvées. It’s one of the oldest Champagne Houses in Reims. And its history is just as deep as its cellars (40 meters). It is the deepest in the city.
The guided private tour offers a discovery of the Maison Ruinart’s rich history. You’ll also learn about their winemaking techniques. The champagne tasting in Reims’ prestigious House will wrap up the tour.
To reach Ruinart, you can take a bus from outside Reims train station to Moulin de la Housse. Then, get off at Crayères and take a 5-minute walk to the Champagne House. The travel time from taking the bus to walking to Ruinart shouldn’t take you more than 30 minutes.
Champagne Pommery
The House Vranken Pommery is a work of art. It is one of the most stunning Maisons in Reims. The winery itself doesn’t lie when it says its 50-hectare estate is just like the surface of the Louvre, the Jardin Des Tuileries, and Place de la Concorde.
Yep—visit here and be in awe of their art nouveau tasting rooms. Another highlight is the exhibitions of contemporary art Experience Pommery. Then, there will be champagne tastings at the end of the tour.
Their 60 Gallo-Roman caves are also accessible through an incredible staircase if you’re up for the challenge. Not for the old knees though, since you’ll be taking 116 steps down their 18-kilometer cellars!
To get to Champagne Pommery, take a bus from outside Reims train station to Moulin de la Housse. Stop at Yser and take a 2-minute walk to the Champagne House. It shouldn’t take you 30 minutes to get here.
Other Things To See in Reims
If you have more time to kill while in Reims, there are more attractions to see here. Make sure to explore the gothic Notre Dame De Reims Cathedral. This famous Reims cathedral is a UNESCO World Heritage site and one of the most iconic buildings in the city.
You can also explore through the central square and discover many restaurants for authentic French cuisine. The Covered Market also offers a wide range of affordable food from sausages, to cheese, and even wines.
Tips Before You Go
Reims is home to the best Champagne Houses in France. But before you take a leap, it’s important that you plan your trip ahead. Below are a few things to keep in mind.
Best Time To Go
Visiting Champagne Houses in Reims is almost ideal all year round. But the best time to visit is spring and summer, which lasts from April through September. These are the best times because it is when the vineyards are in full bloom. It’s also easier to explore them on foot with pleasant weather.
If you visit during the fall or winter months, you may not experience the vineyards but this will give you a more tranquil atmosphere. Fall or winter may also allow you to see the harvest season.
Making Reservations
Note that with most of the guided cellar tour visits in the Champagne regions, you need to book them ahead. Some Reims champagne tours accept reservations and you can pay on the day of your visit. Others require pre-booking and you need to pay in advance. You can also book for a self-guided tour.
During the busiest times of the year, expect the Champagne Houses to be crowded. It’s always a good idea to make your reservations in advance.
FAQs
How Far Are the Champagne Houses From Reims Train Station?
The Champagne Houses are easy to reach from the train station in Reims, France. It usually takes about 15-20 minutes to reach each House, so a day trip to Reims is totally doable.
Is Reims a Walkable City?
Reims is a fairly walkable city. It is, in fact, the most accessible starting point if you want to visit wine regions. However, if you want to explore more remote wineries, smaller champagne houses, or museums, you may want to consider taking the city bus or tram. But most of the main attractions in the city are easily accessible by foot.
Conclusion: Can You Walk to Champagne Houses in Reims?
Reims offers a beautiful opportunity to explore both the city and some of its famous Champagne Houses on foot. Although not every House is within easy reach of the city center, many of them are.
We recommend a cellar tour between Veuve Clicquot, Taittinger, Ruinart, and Pommery. These Reims Champagne Houses are all within walking distance of one another.
And if you want to take a break on your wine-focused excursions, the city has much more to offer and there’s a lot to see. Reims can be an ideal spot to discover more, unwind, and get to know the city and its rich history.
Cheers!