Three-Day Foodie Itinerary in Reims and Eparnay

• Day 1: Morning in Reims - Start your day with warm and flaky croissants from Boulangerie Paul before heading to the 13th-century Cathedral Notre-Dame de Reims. Admire the stained glass windows and Gothic architecture before heading to the nearby Palais du Tau. Here, you can see treasures from the cathedral and artifacts from royal coronation ceremonies. End your morning with a glass of champagne at Taittinger.
• Day 1: Afternoon in Eparnay - Stop by the Mercier Champagne House for a tour of their chalk caves and a champagne tasting. Then, head to the Le Clos Corbier for a romantic lunch in the vineyards. After lunch, take a walk through the vineyards and learn about the art of champagne making from the local English-speaking producers.
• Day 2: Morning in Reims - Start your day with a visit to the Halles du Boulingrin, a Victorian-style market. Pick up fresh cheese, charcuterie, and baguette and have a picnic in the nearby Parc de la Patte d'Oie. After lunch, visit the Musée des Beaux-Arts and admire their impressive collection of Flemish and Dutch paintings.
• Day 2: Afternoon in Eparnay - Visit the Perrier-Jouët Champagne House for a champagne tasting with a knowledgeable guide. Then head to La Grillade Gourmande for a lovely French dinner. You'll be able to taste delicious meats cooked on an open fire and paired with local wines.
• Day 3: Morning in Reims - Start your day with a visit to the Saint-Remi Basilica, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Admire the Romanesque architecture and the collections of Gallo-Roman art. Then, head to the Champagne Pommery for a tour of a famous champagne producer with an unusual and contemporary art gallery on the estate.
• Day 3: Afternoon in Eparnay - Visit the De Castellane Champagne House for a tour of their winemaking facilities and a tasting. Then, head to Les Berceaux for a fine dining experience. You can enjoy a glass of champagne with their creative and well-presented dishes such as Foie Gras or Scallops.

Time and Costs Estimates

• Boulangerie Paul (30 minutes, €3)
• Cathedral Notre-Dame de Reims (1 hour, free)
• Palais du Tau (1 hour, €5)
• Taittinger (1 hour, €25)
• Mercier Champagne House (2 hours, €25)
• Le Clos Corbier (2 hours, €40)
• Musée des Beaux-Arts (2 hours, €8)
• Perrier-Jouët Champagne House (2 hours, €20)
• La Grillade Gourmande (2 hours, €40)
• Saint-Remi Basilica (1 hour, €8)
• Champagne Pommery (1.5 hours, €20)
• De Castellane Champagne House (2 hours, €15)
• Les Berceaux (2 hours, €50)


• Total Estimated Costs: €249

Transportation

Reims and Eparnay are both conveniently located in the Champagne region, about 130 km east of Paris. You can take a high-speed train from Paris to Reims, which takes about 45 minutes and will cost around €20 one-way. To travel between Reims and Eparnay, local buses are available, do check their schedules as they might not be frequent.

Useful Tips

If you have more time, consider visiting the Champagne-Ardenne Regional Nature Park for an outdoor adventure. You can spend your time hiking, cycling and horse-riding through the rolling hills and vineyards. On the other hand, tourists with less time can skip some of the champagne houses and museums, but you shouldn't skip the Palace of Tau as it houses many treasures from the cathedral.

Airports

You can fly into Charles de Gaulle Airport (CDG) which is approximately 148km from Reims or Orly Airport (ORY) which is slightly further away at approximately 160km from the city. From there, you can take a train directly to Reims city centre.