As the centre of the Champagne region, Reims is the best place to taste premium French bubbles. But which are the best Champagne houses to visit in Reims?
This is where I can help you. I spent a fabulous day sipping the best on a self-guided tour of Reims Champagne houses and am excited to share my experience.
Hit the ground running with my guide to Champagne tasting at Pommery, Taittinger, Ruinart, Veuve Clicquot and G.H. Martel.
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How to Go Champagne Tasting in Reims
The labyrinth of 200 km of caves, or crayères, beneath Reims, provides the perfect environment for the second fermentation of Champagne. In 2015, UNESCO placed the crayères of Reims on the World Heritage list.
Each of the city’s Champagne houses has a slice of this prime underground real estate. These range from behemoths like Veuve Clicquot to smaller boutique houses, and each has a distinct personality.
You have three options for touring the Champagne houses of Reims: self-guided, a guided tour or a private tour.
As I wanted to pick which Champagne houses to visit, I went down the DIY route. Although this took a little planning, it was easy to do. As you can walk between the houses, you don’t have to worry about driving or figuring out transport options.
You will need to pre-book most of these tours, which you can do directly with the Champagne house or via Rue des Vignerons.
Joining an organised Champagne tour may be for you if you want to visit Moet & Chandon in Épernay or combine more than one Champagne house in a time-efficient way. It is also useful if you want to visit one of the small wineries in the region.
All of the arrangements are taken care of and it’s also a fabulous way to meet other travellers if you are on a solo trip.
Private tour
If you want to let someone else take over the reins but want a more curated experience that is not shared with strangers, book a private tour. This is the most expensive option but may be cost-effective if you are travelling with a few other people.
My top tips
- When planning your DIY cellar tour, consider how long you will need to spend in each house and the time needed to move between cellars. Also, factor in time for your tasting. You don’t want to have to knock back the bubbly.
- Although I found a restaurant opposite Saint Remi Basilica, there are no other places to eat or buy food near the Champagne houses. The one exception is the pricey restaurant at Pommery. Pick up supplies before you head out for the day.
- Dress appropriately. As the cellars are at a constant 12 degrees year-round, bring layers even if it is blazing hot outside. Comfortable shoes are a given.
Best Champagne Houses in Reims for First-Timers (+ Map)
I visited five Champagne houses independently.
Four of these houses are located in the Saint Remi area of Reims, a 30-minute walk from the city centre. The houses are within a 5– 10-minute walk of each other.
If you don’t fancy walking, jump in a taxi or use Uber. I recommend starting at Veuve Clicquot, making your way back to the city centre from there.
Taittinger is in the centre of Reims.
If you like to map it out, here’s one that I have prepared. For an interactive map, click here or on the image itself.
1. Champagne Pommery: Reims’ Champagne Disneyland
Pommery is not your typical Reims Champagne tour.
Its vast caves are not only used for storing fermenting Champagne bottles. They are also spaces for sound and light installations. What you lose in information about the intricacies of Champagne production, you gain in a multisensory experience.
Select the self-guided tour – the first of its kind in Reims – and you can rock up at any time during the cellars’ opening hours. This makes it super easy to shoehorn Pommery into your day.
Unlike other Champagne houses in Reims, there’s no need to book a ticket in advance. There are ticket machines in the lobby.
Download the audioguide by scanning the QR code at the information desk. An excellent printed guide is also provided.
Cellar tours at Pommery
- Cellar tour – Self-guided or guided visit. One tasting.
- From the vine to the glass – A more in-depth guided tour. Two tastings
- Madame Pommery – Guided two-hour visit. Two tastings.
- Henry Vasnier – Includes a guided or self-guided cellar tour and a visit to Villa Demoiselle. Two tastings (Pommery Brut Apanage + Diamant Brut or Pommery Brut Royal + Demoiselle Tête de Cuvée)
I recommend the Henry Vasnier tour that I did.
Villa Desmoiselle is a gem of an Art Nouveau building, commissioned by Henry Vasnier, then director of Maison Pommery, in 1906. Sipping your Champagne in the villa’s gorgeous garden after your tour is a bonus.
The Demoiselle Tête de Cuvée was also my favourite Champagne in Reims.
Address: Place General Gouraud, 51100, Reims, France
Visit the official website for prices, opening hours, contact details and to book.
2. Taittinger: The elegant one
When I visited Reims, the hugely informative Taittinger cellar tour was the best of the bunch. Although their main location has been closed for renovation, I am delighted to report that it is reopening in July 2024.
As an alternative, they offer tasting experiences at Demeure des Comtes de Champagne in the centre of Reims.
Taittinger tasting experiences
- At the table de Thibaud IV – Two tastings (Brut Réserve + Comtes de Champagne Blanc de Blanc) + 25-minute audio show
- Cellar tours – From July 2024. Choose from three cellar tours.
Address: 20 rue de Tambour, 51100 Reims, France
Visit the official website for prices, opening hours, contact details and to book.
3. Ruinart: The Grand Old Dame of Reims Champagne houses
Established in 1729, Ruinart is the oldest Champagne house in Reims.
This cellar tour began and ended with the group sitting around a circular table, laid with glasses and bottles of water. It felt like going into a board meeting.
However, this was by far the most social Champagne tour, and an excellent choice if you are feeling the pangs of solo travel loneliness. Furthermore, Ingrid, our outstanding guide, asked each person a few questions as an icebreaker.
It was here that we learnt about the rich history of Ruinart before descending into the cellars. The whole experience lasted two hours and included tastings of vintage and non-vintage Champagne.
Although this was the most expensive of my Champagne cellar tours in Reims, it was one of the best.
Cellar tours at Ruinart
Ruinart keeps it simple and offers just one tour, which includes two tastings.
Address: 4 Rue des Crayères, 51100 Reims, France
Visit the official website for prices, opening hours, contact details and to book.
4. Veuve Clicquot: It’s all about the Widow Clicquot (and the colour yellow)
Founded in 1772, Veuve Clicquot has 24 km of crayères, the most extensive cave network in Reims and the second largest in the Champagne region. These caves double as a museum space and host an unusual installation.
The three grape varieties used in the house’s signature Yellow Label Champagne – Pinot Noir, Chardonnay and Pinot Meunier – are projected onto the cave’s wall. At the same time, a hidden machine pumps out the odour of the grape, with the aroma of the Yellow Label as the grand finale.
It’s like a slightly peculiar scratch-and-sniff experience.
Although this was a slick and professional operation – iPad support in different languages was available if needed – I found it the least compelling of the Reims Champagne tours. The focus was more on the family and the formidable Mme Clicquot than the fizzy stuff.
The cellar tour concluded with a tasting of the Yellow Label Champagne.
Popular Cellar tours at Veuve Clicquot
- Brut Yellow Label– cellar tour and one tasting (Yellow Label)
- Art of Blended Rosé Champagne – cellar tour and two tastings (Yellow Label and Rosé Non-Vintage) + charcuterie and cheese slate.
- Only One Quality, The Finest – cellar tour and four tastings (Brut Carte Jaune, Extra Brut Extra Old, Vintage 2015 and Vintage Rosé 2015)
- The Art of Aging – cellar tour and tastings of four vintages (Vintage Brut 2015, Vintage Brut Rosé 2015, Vintage Brut 2002 in Magnum, Cave Privée 1990) + slate of refined cheeses
Address: 1 Rue Albert Thomas, 51100 Reims, France
Visit the official website for prices, opening hours, contact details and to book.
5. G.H. Martel: The Boutique Champagne House Experience
In the shadow of Saint Remi Basilica is one of the smaller Champagne houses in Reims. Founded in 1869, G. H. Martel is one of the younger kids on the block.
Its cool cellars also double as a museum, displaying typical Champenois tools and machinery, used for planting, maintaining the land and harvesting. The informative cellar tour lasts 60 minutes and ends with three tastings.
Cellar tours at G. H. Martel
- Initiation – Cellar tour and 3 tastings
- Discovery – Cellar tour and 3 tastings (2x non-vintage and 1x vintage)
- Prestige – Cellar tour and 3 tastings (3x prestige Champagnes)
Address: 17 rue des Clenches, 51100 Reims, France
Visit the official website for more information and contact details. At the time of updating this post, it was not possible to book directly online with the Champagne house. However, you can reserve a slot here.
Other Cellar Tours
These are not the only cellar tours that you can do in Reims. Here are a few more to consider but they are not located in the Saint Remi area of the city.
Charles de Cazanove is a five-minute walk from Reims train station.
G.H. Mumm is a ten-minute walk northeast of Charles Cazenove and offers a number of experiences.
Finally, Lanson is southwest of the city centre
Best Champagne Tours in Reims
Here are a few tours that are highly-rated:
From Reims
Champagne Day Trip with 6 Tastings
This one is for you if you want to squeeze as many tastings as possible into the day.
>>> CLICK HERE FOR INFORMATION
Champagne and Family-Run Wineries Tour
This half-day tour includes visits to two family-run wineries, Hautvillers and Dom Pérignon’s church and a vineyard stop.
>>> CLICK HERE FOR INFORMATION
E-Bike Champagne Tasting Tour and Lunch
This tour does it all. Driving through Champagne avenues in Épernay; exploring the village of Hautvillers; cycling through a vineyard; a cellar tour. And there’s also lunch and four tastings.
>>> CLICK HERE FOR INFORMATION
From Paris
Day Trip to Épernay and Hautvillers from Paris
If you want to visit the Champagne houses from Paris and simply want someone to take care of the arrangements for you, this tour should tick a lot of the boxes. Over the course of the day, you will taste eight different types of fizz in three Champagne houses. Lunch and a masterclass in the heart of the vineyard are also included.
>>> CLICK HERE FOR INFORMATION
Reims and Champagne tasting from Paris
This ten-hour tour includes up to six tastings, lunch and a visit to Reims Cathedral.
>>> CLICK HERE FOR INFORMATION
How to Visit Reims as a Day Trip from Paris
It is easy to get from Paris to Reims. The non-stop TGV from Gare de L’Est reaches Reims in 45 minutes. Slower trains are also available.
Some people I talked to had also visited Épernay, another major centre of Champagne production. There are swift and easy connections between the two cities.
You can check train times and costs here.
It is even possible to visit Reims as a day trip from London. Eurostar trains arrive at Gare du Nord, less than ten minute’s walk from Gare de L’Est.
Where to Stay in Reims
I stayed overnight as part of a solo holiday in France. This not only gave me a chance to visit the UNESCO-listed Reims Cathedral but the city is a pleasant place to spend a relaxing few days.
Mid-range – Best Western Premier Hotel de la Paix
I stayed at this 4-star hotel in the heart of the city. Recommended for its comfortable rooms, extensive breakfast buffet and indoor swimming pool and sun terrace.
>>> CLICK HERE TO CHECK RATES & BOOK
Here are a few other places to stay that may suit other budgets and tastes
Splurge – Domaine les Crayères
This gorgeous property is the perfect excuse to blow the holiday budget. It is in the heart of Champagne house territory, just 350 meters from Pommery.
>>> CLICK HERE TO CHECK RATES & BOOK
Budget – Le Sacré, Au pied de la cathédrale
This centrally-located apartment has two bedrooms and is equipped with a washing machine.
>>> CLICK HERE TO CHECK RATES & BOOK
My Favourite Champagne House in Reims
It was a close call but Ruinart was my favourite cellar tour. It wasn’t cheap, but the guide demonstrated a real passion for her subject and it was a welcoming and sociable environment.
Pommery was stimulating and fun and also allowed me to visit the wonderful Villa Desmoiselle. As you don’t need to book ahead, it is also a flexible option.
But whichever Reims’ cellar tours you select, you will come away knowing more about Champagne production and your preferred type of fizz. I’ll raise my glass to that.
READ THIS NEXT: Visiting Notre Dame de Reims Cathedral, France: 10 Things You Should Know Before You Go
About Bridget
Bridget Coleman has been a passionate traveller for more than 30 years. She has visited 70+ countries, most as a solo traveller.
Articles on this site reflect her first-hand experiences.
To get in touch, email her at hello@theflashpacker.net or follow her on social media.