Reims by Private Chauffeur — Cathedral and Cellars in a Day

The cathedral, two cellars and lunch in the vineyards, with ninety minutes of driving at each end.

Reims by Private Chauffeur — Cathedral and Cellars in a Day — Luxberri chauffeur service
LB
Luxberri Team•May 26, 2026•4 min read

The Champagne region begins 130 km east of Paris and ends — depending on how you count — somewhere short of the German border. Most of what you'd actually want to see is concentrated between Reims and Épernay: 25 km of vineyards, chalk cellars, and the houses whose names are stamped on every luxury bar cart in the world. Dom Pérignon. Krug. Veuve Clicquot. Ruinart. Pol Roger.

 

Doing this region from Paris in a single day is entirely possible — but only by private car to Reims. The TGV gets you to Reims in 45 minutes, then strands you without transport to the vineyards. Luxberrisolves the entire problem with a Reims private van service that lets you actually drink the wine.

 

Why You Need a Driver, Not a Train

 

Reims and Épernay are 25 km apart. Between them lie the Montagne de Reims and Côte des Blancs — the village circuits where the great Grand Cru and Premier Cru villages cluster (Mailly, Verzenay, Aÿ, Avize, Mesnil-sur-Oger, Cramant). There is essentially no public transport between these villages.

 

A chauffeured Mercedes V-Class delivers you from your Paris hotel at 09:00, takes you through three to five visits, parks at lunch, and returns you to Paris by early evening.

 

The Big Houses (Reims)

 

Maison Ruinart

The oldest established Champagne house (1729). The chalk cellars — UNESCO-listed crayères — extend 38 meters underground. Private tasting visits are by appointment and limited; book 4+ weeks ahead.

 

Veuve Clicquot

Reims' most polished visitor experience. The Cave-Privée tasting room offers vintage and rare cuvées including La Grande Dame.

 

Taittinger

Set in a 4th-century Roman chalk pit later expanded by Benedictine monks. The visit is dramatic; the Comtes de Champagne Blanc de Blancs is one of the great prestige cuvées.

 

Krug

Krug visits are extremely limited and by personal invitation through the maison.

 

The Big Houses (Épernay)

 

Moët & Chandon

The largest visitor operation in Champagne. The Dom Pérignon experience — when bookable — is the most prestigious tasting product in the region.

 

Pol Roger

Smaller, family-owned, less touristic. The Sir Winston Churchill cuvée is named for their most famous customer.

 

Perrier-Jouët

The Belle Époque bottles with the painted anemones. Maison Belle Époque hosts an exceptional and exclusive visit.

 

Where to Eat

 

• Le Parc at Domaine Les Crayères — two Michelin stars, in Reims

• L'Assiette Champenoise — three Michelin stars on the outskirts of Reims

• Royal Champagne Hôtel & Spa — between Reims and Épernay, Michelin-starred restaurant

 

Sample Itinerary

 

• 09:00 — Paris hotel pickup

• 11:00 — Reims — Maison Ruinart private cellar visit and tasting

• 12:45 — Lunch at Le Parc / Les Crayères

• 15:00 — Drive through Montagne de Reims to Épernay

• 15:30 — Moët & Chandon or Perrier-Jouët visit

• 17:30 — Return to Paris

• 19:30 — Hotel arrival

 

Direct Airport Routes to Champagne

Flying in for a Champagne visit and skipping Paris? Luxberri operates direct airport-to-Reims routes:

• CDG to Reims

• Orly to Reims

• Le Bourget to Reims

• Beauvais to Reims

 

★ Plan your Champagne day trip with Luxberri — book your Reims chauffeur for fixed pricing and English-speaking chauffeurs.

Frequently Asked Questions

 

How long is the drive from Paris to Reims?

Approximately 1 hour 30 minutes by private car (130 km via the A4 motorway). The TGV is faster at 45 minutes, but you lose the flexibility to visit the vineyard villages between Reims and Épernay.

 

Can I do Reims and Épernay in one day from Paris?

Yes, with a private chauffeur. A typical day includes one Reims house visit, lunch, and one Épernay house visit, with vineyard drives in between. Two visits is sustainable; three is the maximum for serious tasting.

 

How much does a Champagne day trip from Paris cost?

A private chauffeur day trip to Champagne from Paris typically ranges from €900 to €1,500 depending on vehicle, plus house visit fees (€50–€350 per person per house) and lunch.

 

• Day trip chauffeur Paris to Reims

• Reims private van service blog

• Reims service area

• Épernay service area

• CDG to Reims private transfer

• Orly to Reims private transfer

• Reims to Paris private driver

• Mercedes V-Class chauffeur

• Long-distance chauffeur Paris

Frequently asked questions

How far ahead should we book champagne cellar tours for 2027?

Book the big houses at least four weeks ahead, and earlier for spring weekends, the September harvest, and December. Ruinart, Veuve Clicquot, and Taittinger fill up first, and premium tastings have very few places. Book your cellar visits first, then your Reims chauffeur, so the driver can time the route around your slots.

Can we visit Reims Cathedral on a champagne day trip?

Yes, and you should. Notre-Dame de Reims is a UNESCO World Heritage Site where French kings were crowned for centuries, and it has stained-glass windows by Marc Chagall. Entry to the cathedral is free, and 45 minutes is enough for a first visit. The Palais du Tau next door, with the coronation treasures, has a separate ticket. Your chauffeur can drop you right by the square.

Can we visit Pommery in Reims?

Yes. Pommery is one of the best-known houses in Reims, with miles of chalk cellars and an unusual 120-step staircase down into them. It also displays contemporary art in the cellars, which makes it a good contrast to the more traditional houses. It pairs well with Ruinart or Taittinger, which are a short drive away, on a Paris to Reims private driver day.

Are champagne houses open every day?

Not always. Many houses close on certain days, often Sundays, public holidays, or in winter, and some close for part of January. Hours change by season, so check each house’s booking calendar for your exact 2027 date before you plan the day. Our Reims chauffeur service can suggest open houses for your dates.

When is the best time of year for a Reims champagne trip in 2027?

Spring and early autumn are the most pleasant times. The harvest usually runs from late August into September, when the vineyards are at their busiest and most photogenic. December brings Christmas markets in Reims and the Habits de Lumière festival on the Avenue de Champagne in Épernay. Cellar tours run all year, since the cellars stay cool underground.

Can we visit small grower champagne houses as well as the big names?

Yes. The villages of the Montagne de Reims and the Côte des Blancs, such as Verzenay, Aÿ, Avize, and Le Mesnil-sur-Oger, are full of family growers who make their own champagne. Many welcome visitors by appointment for a more personal tasting. A full Champagne day trip from Paris can combine one grand house with one grower.

Can we have lunch at a Michelin-starred restaurant in Champagne?

Yes. Reims has several acclaimed restaurants, including Le Parc at Domaine Les Crayères and L’Assiette Champenoise on the edge of the city. Book well ahead, especially for weekends and harvest season. Your chauffeur waits during lunch and takes you straight to your afternoon cellar visit.

Can we bring the champagne we buy back to Paris?

Yes. Your purchases stay in the car all day, and the Mercedes V-Class van has room for several cases. If you’re flying home, check your airline’s baggage rules and your country’s customs allowances for wine and spirits before you buy. Our Reims private van guide covers group trips with plenty of luggage space.

Is a champagne day trip suitable for families or non-drinkers?

Yes. Many houses welcome children on cellar tours, though tastings are for adults only, as the legal drinking age in France is 18. Some houses offer non-alcoholic options or grape juice for younger guests. Non-drinkers still enjoy the cellars, the history, the cathedral, and the vineyard drive.

Can we stay overnight in Champagne instead of returning the same day?

Yes, and it makes the trip far more relaxed. Stay in Reims or Épernay, visit two houses each day, and return to Paris the next afternoon. Book a private driver from Reims back to Paris, or go straight to your flight with a Reims to CDG transfer.

LB

Luxberri Team

Everything we write comes from real moments on the road welcoming guests, managing airport transfers, and ensuring smooth, stress-free travel across Paris. Our firsthand experience guides every recommendation we share.

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