Champagne Tasting Tour from Paris: Small Producer & Big House

Taste champagne the way it's made, not the way it's sold

A full-day champagne tour from Paris led by the owner-operator, an English-speaking expert who routes you through cellar tours at both a major producer and a small grower, tastings at each stop, and Reims Cathedral. The itinerary shifts based on which houses have availability that day, so no two trips run the same way. Children from age 12 are welcome. The minimum age for tastings is 18.

Step-by-step itinerary

Stops and time spent at each

1. Reims Cathedral of Notre Dame30m · entry included
2. Hautvillers30m · entry included

Champagne tasting and Reims visit

• Depart from Starbuck’s Odeon
• Visit Reims Cathedral of Notre Dame
• Tour a mid to big Champagne producer
• Guided tour of Hautvillers village
• Lunch on the richest avenue or picnic at Hautvillers
• Visit a small Champagne producer
• Return trip to Paris

The experience

You're picked up at Starbucks Odeon in central Paris and driven to the Champagne region in an air-conditioned vehicle. The route unfolds around what's actually open: a mid-to-large producer like Lanson, Taittinger, Veuve Clicquot or Mumm in the morning, or Mercier and Moët & Chandon in the afternoon, depending on their schedules. Each house has its own cellar system and story: the longer you book ahead, the better the chance of landing at one of the more sought-after names. You'll descend into the chalk tunnels, learn how the méthode champenoise actually works, and taste champagnes made there.

Hautvillers comes next, the village where Dom Pérignon developed the techniques still used today. You'll walk through the church and the picturesque streets with the guide, then have time to rest at the picnic area. If the weather holds, lunch is a picnic at the viewpoint overlooking the vineyards. The guide picks up supplies from a local bakery and brings the cloth, glasses and everything else. Otherwise, you'll have free time in a nearby town to eat on your own. A small producer visit follows, often the day's most intimate moment: you'll see the operation up close, learn the details, and taste their champagnes.

Reims Cathedral sits on the route back. The guide walks you through the stained glass (Marc Chagall's windows kept his signature style, and Imi Knoebel's modern panels tell the stories in cubic color), so when you arrive you know what to look for and can move through quickly. The drive back to Paris takes about two hours depending on traffic around EuroDisney. You can be dropped at Notre-Dame Cathedral or your original pickup point. You'll taste at least five champagnes, often seven or more across the two producer visits.

What’s included

• Pickup and drop-off in central Paris.
• air-conditioned vehicle.
• cellar tours at one mid-to-large producer and one small grower.
• champagne tastings at both stops, typically five to seven or more in total.
• guided tour of Reims Cathedral with stained glass explanation.
• guided walk through Hautvillers village and its church.

Before you book

Days and timesTuesday and ThursdayDeparts at 07:30Last departure this season: 26 Nov

Book up to18h before

AgesAdult (18 to 95 years) · Youth (12 to 17 years) · Under 12: can't be booked

GroupUp to 8

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather or if the minimum number of travelers isn't reached. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

ConfirmationConfirmation within 48 h

Prices and times updated 7 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortPublic transport nearbyNot recommended during pregnancy

Operated by Champagne Tasting Tours from Paris

Is this one for you?Book this if you're coming to Paris with a free afternoon or a full day and want to understand champagne beyond the bottle: the owner-operator adjusts the stops to what's available that day, so you're not following a fixed script, and the mix of big-house cellars and intimate small-producer tastings means you see both sides of how it's made.

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Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Youth (12 to 17 years). Children under 12 can't be included in the booking.

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

How many champagnes will I actually taste on this tour?

You'll taste at least five champagnes, typically seven or more: at least one tasting at the mid-to-large producer house and another at the small grower, plus tastings during the cellar tours themselves.

Can I choose which champagne houses we visit, or does it depend on availability?

The guide personalizes the route based on which houses have space that day. Major producers like Taittinger, Veuve Clicquot and Moët & Chandon are more likely if you book well in advance, but the itinerary shifts to fit what's actually available when you arrive.

What is Hautvillers and why does it matter to champagne?

Hautvillers is the village where Dom Pérignon developed the champagne-making methods still used today. The guide takes you through the church and village, and you'll have time to rest or picnic at the viewpoint overlooking the vineyards.

Is lunch included, and what are the options?

Lunch is not included in the tour price. You'll have time to eat on your own in a nearby town, or if the weather is good, you can choose a picnic at the Hautvillers viewpoint. The guide picks up supplies from a local bakery and brings everything needed.

What's the difference between the big producer house and the small grower visit?

The major house (like Taittinger or Veuve Clicquot) has large-scale cellars and production methods you can tour. The small producer visit is more intimate, often described as the day's highlight: you'll see the full operation up close, learn the details hands-on, and taste their champagnes in a personal setting.