Epernay or Rheims

[Vic]

I've got 2 nights coming up in Champagne region. Can't really decide between staying in Epernay or Rheims. Epernay looks good for the Avenue de Champagne. Rheims, I guess is more traditionally the place to go.

Any experiences to share?

 

[Pushka]

I've got 2 nights coming up in Champagne region. Can't really decide between staying in Epernay or Rheims. Epernay looks good for the Avenue de Champagne. Rheims, I guess is more traditionally the place to go.

Any experiences to share?

I don't think you can go wrong. We stayed in Epernay in an Airbnb which was wonderful. They provided a gourmet meal and a visit to Crement champagne house. We also had an anniversary trip planned from Paris that included a sabrage demonstration but then, France and train strike.

Why don't you work out which houses you might want to visit and stay nearby? We stayed near Moët et Chandon. The cellar visit was fabulous. But they are all wonderful.

 

[Vic]

But they are all wonderful.

I think this is the key point, they're all going to be wonderful. Just vacillating over which town to stay in...

Edit: I just looked up Sabage. I've seen it, didn't know the correct terminology. I'm confused by the concept, very decadent for sure.
But it just wastes good bubbles, and I'd be afraid of drinking little slivers of glass... lol

 

[JohnM]

I've stayed in Epernay the couple of times I've been in that area some years ago. It had a more small-town feel that I liked.

 

[Princess Fiona]

With two nights I would stay in Rheims. The Best Western there is fantastic (no seriously it is lovely).
You can walk to the Cathedral and Taittinger.
Do a small group wine tour to Epernay and Hautvillers.

If I had longer I would do both Rheims and Epernay as stays.

 

[Vic]

Supplementary question, if i can.
Is it worthwhile, as in cheaper to buy champers there and bring it back? Does anyone have experience with local prices per bottle?

Am I likely to save enough to make a wine suitcase a viable investment?

 

[lovetravellingoz]

I've stayed in Epernay the couple of times I've been in that area some years ago. It had a more small-town feel that I liked.

Yes that suited myself too.

We stayed in both Rheims and Epernay. Each had its pluses , but if I was only doing one I would go for Epernay.

They have a volunteer guide service and we met a friendly and knowledgeable local who shared the love of his town, and of champagne with us.



We also hired bicycles (we went with electric bikes as we had not used them before and wanted to try them out) from the Tourist Office in the heart of town. As Epernay is small we were soon out in the country enjoying cycling along the canal, and and out and about through the vineyards.






We stopped off in small village for a champagne tasting in a small wine shop which was a great way to sample a number of champagnes from from very small house.



And a picnic lunch as we cycled about, with goodies bought as we cycled along.



In Epernay there are a number of major houses to sample and we went to two.

 

[VPS]

Some background reading

The little-known history of Champagne

While women were barred from owning businesses in 19th Century France, three widows, who were exempt from the rule, created some of Champagne's most lauded empires.

www.bbc.com

 

[I love to travel]

Yes that suited myself too.

We stayed in both Rheims and Epernay. Each had its pluses , but if I was only doing one I would go for Epernay.

They have a volunteer guide service and we met a friendly and knowledgeable local who shared the love of his town, and of champagne with us.

View attachment 318235

We also hired bicycles (we went with electric bikes as we had not used them before and wanted to try them out) from the Tourist Office in the heart of town. As Epernay is small we were soon out in the country enjoying cycling along the canal, and and out and about through the vineyards.
View attachment 318237

View attachment 318238

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We stopped off in small village for a champagne tasting in a small wine shop which was a great way to sample a number of champagnes from from very small house.

View attachment 318236

And a picnic lunch as we cycled about, with goodies bought as we cycled along.

View attachment 318245

In Epernay there are a number of major houses to sample and we went to two.

View attachment 318248

View attachment 318234

Do you have the contact details of the guide? Thanks

 

[lovetravellingoz]

Do you have the contact details of the guide? Thanks

No. I cannot remember if I booked the volunteer guide (Greeters) online, or just by walking into the loacl touist office which is near most of the main Champagne House in Epernay.


However after a quick google now this most likely was the service.

Nos Greeters en Champagne | Tourisme dans la Marne en Champagne

www.tourisme-en-champagne.com

The guide we had had who was excellent was a local that had lived in Epernay all of his life and had worked most of his like in the Chmapagne Industry at three different Champagne Houses. He was excellent.

He clearly loved sharing his home town with us. We offered him a tip afterwards as he was fantastic, and then to buy him a champagne, but he declined both.

 

[papeto]

Just a note on the champagne houses. You need to book to visit them, they don’t do walk ins. The smaller houses you will probably need to call for a tasting. A good alternative is to go to one of the many wine bars and order a champagne tasting of smaller producers, which is really good as there is more difference in taste than a single champagne house ( also cheaper) . We did both and really enjoyed both experiences.

Buying champagne there isn’t really cheaper, but we always buy something we like and open it at home as a nice reminder of our trip

 

[camperdown9]

Rheims is a city, Epernay is more of a large town. As Princess Fiona said the BW in Rheims is actually pretty good.

With regards to prices you might find its cheaper in the supermarket at home than here in France. Many of the big producers have welcome centres and offer tastings, tours etc. However wine tourism is maybe not the same as it might be in California or New Zealand. It's not unusual to be told by smaller producers that if you want to taste you have to buy the bottle. Some vineyards are not open to the public or are only open occasionally. Not champagne but I was once told in southern Burgundy by a lady at a vineyard that they pre sell 90% of their wine before its gets to the bottle, so they don't really need to do tastings and have nothing to sell.