Houses, cellars and vineyards, 45 minutes from Paris
Seminars, incentives and conventions in Champagne
Reims and Épernay: a UNESCO-listed wine landscape, privatisable cellars and a congress centre close to the TGV station.
- ≈ 45 min
- by TGV from Paris to Reims
- 2015
- year the Coteaux, Maisons et Caves de Champagne were inscribed by UNESCO
- 100 km +
- of cellars and chalk pits in the UNESCO-listed area
- 1,500
- seats in the plenary nave of the Reims Centre des Congrès
Why choose Champagne
- Reims is about 45 minutes from Paris by TGV, with the station close to the congress centre.
- Houses and cellars: the Coteaux, Maisons et Caves de Champagne are a UNESCO World Heritage site, with more than 100 km of cellars in the listed area.
- Access to prestigious houses for private tastings, blending workshops and dinners in the cellars, subject to each house's own policy.
- Reims cathedral and the historic centre give a heritage setting for receptions.
- A congress centre and an exhibition park in Reims for events from 200 to 5,000 people.
- A short stay of one to two days is enough to build a complete programme, which suits busy executives.
Airport access
Paris to Reims by TGV: about 45 minutes from Paris Gare de l'Est to Reims Centre station, one of the quickest city-to-city links in the country. Reims Champagne-Ardenne station (Bezannes) is also served by TGV.
Paris-Charles de Gaulle (CDG): about 1h20 to Reims by road, depending on traffic.
Épernay: about 30 minutes from Reims by road; direct regional trains link the two cities. A coach transfer is usually simpler for groups.
MICE capacity
The Reims Centre des Congrès, in the city centre and within walking distance of Reims Centre station, has two amphitheatres of 350 to 700 seats and a nave seating about 1,500 for plenaries, plus around ten meeting rooms and 2,500 m² of exhibition space, according to the Reims convention bureau and venue listings. The Parc des Expositions (GL events), on the edge of the city, offers halls of 4,200 m² and 6,800 m²; together the two sites can host congresses of 200 to 5,000 people.
For seminars of 20 to 150 people, Reims and Épernay have four- and five-star hotels, and several Champagne houses and estates welcome private dinners and meetings in their reception rooms or cellars. Privatisation depends on each house and is confirmed case by case.
Seasonality
- April to June: spring in the vineyards, pleasant temperatures and good availability.
- July and August: warm and quieter in the cities; some houses reduce opening.
- Late August to October: harvest (vendanges), the most atmospheric period but also the busiest for houses and hotels, and cellar visits can be restricted.
- November to December: festive season, with high demand for year-end client events in the cellars.
- January to March: cold but quiet; cellars remain at constant temperature all year, so cellar programmes work in every season.
- French public holidays and bridges in May reduce availability.
Recommended districts
Reims, centre-ville
Cathedral, Palais du Tau and the congress centre, with hotels and restaurants within walking distance of the station.
Colline Saint-Nicaise (Reims)
One of the three UNESCO core zones, with the historic chalk cellars of several Champagne houses.
Épernay, avenue de Champagne
A one-kilometre avenue lined with prestigious houses, built above kilometres of cellars.
Hautvillers and the Marne valley
Hillside villages and vineyards for walks, picnics and estate tastings.
Montagne de Reims
A regional natural park of forests and Premier and Grand Cru villages, 15 to 30 minutes from Reims.
Convention centres · Champagne
Conference & MICE hotels
2 restaurants
Trending & group restaurants
Evening ideas
- Gala dinner in a Champagne house cellar, with a tasting of vintage cuvées.
- Cocktail in the gardens of a house or château, followed by a dinner under the stars.
- Private dinner in a Michelin-listed restaurant in Reims, subject to availability.
- Evening illumination walk around Reims cathedral, finishing at a private table.
- Harvest-time dinner in a vineyard estate with the winemaker.
Corporate activities
- Champagne blending workshop: each team creates a cuvée.
- Walk or cycle through the vineyards between villages, with a picnic lunch.
- Hot-air balloon flight over the vineyards, in small groups and subject to weather.
- Private visit of the Reims cathedral and the Palais du Tau.
- Tasting masterclass on terroirs, grape varieties and food pairings.
Programme examples
- Executive seminar, 2 days, 25 people (Reims): TGV from Paris, working morning, afternoon cellar visit, dinner in a Champagne house.
- Client event, 1 day, 120 people (Épernay): coach from Paris, lunch in the avenue de Champagne, tasting and gala dinner in the cellars.
- Incentive, 3 days, 60 people (Reims and Épernay): blending workshop, vineyard walk, Reims cathedral visit, farewell dinner in a château.
Frequently asked questions
How far is Champagne from Paris for a one-day event?
Reims is about 45 minutes from Paris by TGV, so a one-day programme with a lunch and a cellar visit is realistic. Épernay adds about 30 minutes by road. For an overnight programme, groups usually stay in Reims or Épernay.
Can we hold a gala dinner in a Champagne cellar?
Yes, several houses welcome dinners and receptions in their cellars or reception rooms, for groups ranging from small tables to several hundred guests. Availability, capacity and rules (temperature, access) vary by house and are confirmed individually.
What is the capacity of the Reims convention centre?
The Centre des Congrès has two amphitheatres of 350 to 700 seats and a nave seating about 1,500, plus meeting rooms and 2,500 m² of exhibition space. With the Parc des Expositions, Reims can host events of up to 5,000 people.
When is the best time to visit the Champagne vineyards?
April to June and September are the most pleasant. The harvest, from late August to October, is the most atmospheric but also the busiest and some visits may be limited. Cellars stay at a constant temperature, so winter programmes work well.
How should we plan alcohol and transport for a group?
We organise coach transfers throughout the programme so that no participant needs to drive, and we balance tastings with food and non-alcoholic options. Programme times account for the tasting schedule.
Can we combine Champagne with a Paris programme?
Yes. With a TGV of about 45 minutes, many clients spend two days in Paris and one or two days in Champagne. It is also a common extension after a convention in Paris.
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