Itinerary Summary
A 45-minute RER E or TER ride reaches Reims for cellar tastings at Champagne houses like Veuve Clicquot and Taittinger, then a 2.5-hour TGV brings you to Bordeaux for the Moon Harbour. Day four is the…
Day-by-Day Itinerary
Day 1
CDG arrival and the short train ride to Reims
10:00
1.5h
RER B from CDG into Paris
Ride the RER B to Gare du Nord, where you can walk to Gare de l'Est for the Reims train. Buy a single from the machine and keep the ticket for the exit gate.
📍 Charles de Gaulle Airport to Paris
14:00
1h
TGV from Paris Est to Reims
The TGV reaches Reims in about 45 minutes, with the cathedral visible from the station square. Book a reserved seat on the SNCF Connect site, as regional trains fill in the evening.
📍 Paris to Reims
18:00
1.5h
Evening walk around Reims Cathedral
Circle the cathedral to see the coronation church and the smiling angel on the north facade. The square is floodlit after dark, when the stone reads warmer.
📍 Reims
💡 Pro Tip: Reims is 45 minutes from Paris Gare de l'Est by TGV, making it an easy first stop. Champagne houses need booked tours, often weeks ahead in harvest season. Entry rules depend on your passport; see the France visa section. France is UTC+1, moving to UTC+2 in summer.
Days 2-7 are member-only
Members get the complete day-by-day plan with timing, transport and on-the-ground tips.
Budget Breakdown
AccommodationUS$73035%
Hotel and wine-domain stays, 6 nights in Reims, Bordeaux and Beaune
Food & DiningUS$42020%
Foie gras pairings, saucisson and cheese boards, Michelin lunches
Remaining cost categories are member-only
Members see the full breakdown for flights, hotels, food, tickets and more.
Frequently Asked Questions
How far ahead should I book Bordeaux first-growth chateau visits?+
First-growth estates such as Lafite, Latour and Margaux take visitors by appointment only and accept no walk-ins. Email or use their websites weeks to a couple of months ahead and confirm in writing. Some require a guide or a group, and many close at weekends and during harvest.
Can I do this Champagne and Burgundy wine route without driving?+
Yes. The route is built on trains: RER or TER to Reims, TGV to Bordeaux, then TGV to Beaune, with taxis or pre-booked drivers between estates. Do not drive after tastings. For village estates outside the towns, arrange a local driver or a vineyard tour.
When is harvest season in Champagne, Bordeaux and Burgundy?+
Harvest usually runs from late August in Champagne to September and early October in Bordeaux and Burgundy, but dates shift each year. September and October are the best months for this route, though some estates restrict visits during picking. May and June are quieter.
How much does a seven-day French wine trip cost?+
Plan around $1,790-2,390 (about EUR 1,560-2,080) per person excluding flights. That covers mid-range hotels, train tickets and standard tastings. Grand-cru appointments, private drivers and Michelin meals cost extra, and tasting fees at top estates can be significant.
Attractions in This Guide
Guide at a Glance
- Duration: 7 days
- Budget: Comfort · approx. $1,790–2,390 (≈ €1,560–2,080), excl. int'l flights
- Difficulty: moderate
- Best for: Wine & Vineyard Trails
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