Private Champagne Wine Tour from Paris: Reims, Veuve Clicquot, family winery

Here is what's in store for you

Enjoy a private full-day wine tour of Champagne and visit iconic Champagne Houses accompanied by an expert guide.

Your day will begin with a pick-up at approximately 07:15 AM at your hotel in Paris. You will be transferred to Paris - Gare de l'Est, from which you'll take a 45-minute direct train to Reims. Upon your arrival at Champagne-Ardenne train station, your guide will be waiting for you in front of the main entrance with a signboard with your name on it.

Your Champagne wine tour will start along the scenic Route du Champagne. Winding among the vineyards and picturesque villages, this famous road offers one charming bucolic landscape after another. You will head to the Valley of the Marne to see some of the most famous Grandes Maisons de Champagne in existence - such as Bollinger, Gosset, Deutz, and more.

Next, you'll enjoy a guided tour of the 13th-century Notre Dame de Reims Cathedral, which is listed as a Unesco World Heritage Site and is one of Europe's most important Gothic structures. Be captivated by the unique stained glasses and the more than 2200 exceptional statues, including the signature Smiling Angel, that can be observed on site. This is where the first King of France, Clovis was baptized, around the year 498, giving birth to the Kingdom of the Franks and starting a long-lasting tradition: all except two Kings of France were coronated in this church!

The day continues with a visit and Champagne tasting at the iconic Veuve Clicquot Champagne House. Founded in 1772 by Philippe Clicquot-Muiron, the house played a crucial role in establishing champagne as the favored drink of the Bourgeoisie and Nobility throughout Europe. After his sudden death in 1805, Philippe Clicquot-Muiron's widow (veuve in French) Barbe Nicole Ponsardin Clicquot became the first woman to run a Champagne house. She revolutionized the techniques of the Champagne-making process, thus gaining the name of “La Grande Dame de la Champagne”.

For lunch, you can decide to stop at a local domain to enjoy a Champagne-paired lunch. First, you will enjoy a tour of the Foureur family estate, vine growers since the 16th century and Champagne producers under their own brand since 1875. Located in the Grand Cru village of Ambonnay, the estate owns 4 hectares of grand cru vineyard, especially renowned for its Pinot Noir. Meet passionate people and discover the ancestral methods for Champagne making.

Finally, your tour of Champagne would not be complete without a visit and tasting at a Champagne family estate. You'll visit a Champagne House that was founded in 1875 in the little village of Damery, within the Marne’s Valley. Nowadays, Laure and David are the proud fifth generation of winemakers. They focus on respect for both traditions and ancestral working methods. Their champagne Plaisir d’Antan is for instance a good example of this philosophy: Made of a 100 percent Chardonnay, the Cuvée is aged in oak casks as it was traditionally done before the creation of stainless steel vats, giving a unique taste to the Champagne. They work as independent winemakers with 12 hectares of vineyards and produce 80 000 bottles. 

Drop off is at 05:00 PM at Reims train station, where you'll take a direct 45-minute train to Paris. At your arrival in Paris - Gare de l'Est train station, your driver will be waiting for you with a signboard with your name on it.