On your next tour to Paris, check out Reims is the Champagne city of France.  It is the home of some of the most celebrated Champagne makers in the world – Taittinger, Mumm, Pommery, Piper-Hiedsick, and more.  There is also the impressive Cathedral of Notre Dame, Reims – the coronation site of most of the kings and queens of France.  Also of interest is the Musée de la Reddition (The Surrender Museum), the site of the surrender of the Third Reich to the Allies at the end of WWII.  The museum is closed Tuesdays.

Most people choose to board the 8:57 or 11:27 TGV train to Reims from Gare d’Lest.  Buy a ticket at the SNCF or “Grandes Lignes” desk at the station.  Ask about a “flexible” return ticket if unsure of your return time.  That way, a 10 euro service fee to change the ticket is avoided.  There is usually not a big crowd at Gare d’lEst, so you can probably buy your ticket on the date of your travel.

The comfortable TGV takes 45 minutes to get to Reims.  Before boarding, place the ticket in the yellow machine to validate it.  Seats on the TGV are assigned.  There is no open seating.  Conductors standing outside of the train before it departs are friendly and helpful.  They will be happy to answer any questions.

Depending on the day, there are different schedules for return trains.  But there is usually a direct train at 4:15 (16:15) and 8:15 (20:15).  Connecting trains run more frequently.

Reims is a lovely little city with plenty of restaurants and cafés.  The cathedral is within walking distance.  To the left side and adjacent to the cathedral is the tourist office.  Reservations are mandatory at most champagne houses. The tourist office staff will be glad to assist with reservations and call a taxi for you to get there.  You may want to reserve tours online a couple of days beforehand if you are going on a weekend, holiday, or peak tourist time.

I like the Pommery and Taittinger Champagne houses.  They each charge a fee of 14-24 euros.  Don’t hesitate to visit the others.

The well done Reims tourist guide (with a list of Champagne houses, a map, and other activities) can be downloaded here: http://www.reims-tourism.com