Epernay or Reims: 6 Factors to Help You Decide 

If you’re a history buff (or just love exploring old-world charm), Reims has some seriously impressive sights.

My husband and I couldn’t believe how massive the Reims Cathedral was. It’s a stunning Gothic masterpiece that’s played a huge role in French history.

Fun fact: this is where the kings of France were crowned!

Its impressive structure is illuminated by beautiful panels of stained-glass windows.

Just down the road, the Palace of Tau adds even more royal flair. It’s where the kings once partied after their coronations, and now it’s a museum filled with royal regalia, ceremonial objects, and some pretty impressive artwork.

Oh, and don’t miss the Porte de Mars, an ancient Roman arch. We stumbled upon it while walking around the train station.

Now, if you’re heading to Epernay, history takes a bit of a backseat.

Sure, there’s the charming La Maison de la Lune, a classic Art Nouveau building, and the artist-decorated Gabrielle-Dorziat Theater, which boasts some beautiful artist-designed touches.

But Epernay really is all about the Champagne.

History buffs may gravitate toward Reims, but if your goal is sipping bubbly and strolling Avenue de Champagne, Epernay’s got you covered.

Reims is a bustling urban hub, spread out and home to over 177,000 residents.

In contrast, Epernay feels much more compact, with a population of around 22,000, making it easier to explore on foot.

Reims has a more medieval, industrial vibe, while Epernay feels charming and noticeably more relaxed.

Epernay sits beside the winding Marne River, where you can enjoy a peaceful bike ride to various Champagne houses.

À la Française Champagne-Bourgogne offers a fantastic bike + sip tour. It’s a fun way to combine cycling with Champagne tastings.

If you’ve visited South Africa’s wine country, it’s a bit like this: Reims is to Stellenbosch as Epernay is to Franschhoek. Bigger and busier vs. smaller and more intimate.

Reims is where you’ll find the big-name Champagne houses like Veuve Clicquot, Taittinger, and Ruinart.

The houses here are more spread out, but they offer excellent, well-organized tours. If you’re deciding where to go, I highly recommend booking a visit to  Ruinart and Taittinger.

Epernay is known for its smaller, boutique Champagne houses like Leclerc Briant and Henri Giraud, which are conveniently clustered closer together.

One of Epernay’s biggest highlights is the iconic Avenue de Champagne. A prestigious, charming street lined with some of the region’s most renowned Champagne houses.

It’s a popular stop on many Champagne tours, including the fantastic one we did with Aÿ Champagne Experience.

We actually stayed right on Avenue de Champagne at the incredible boutique hotel, Le25Bis by Leclerc Briant Champagne House.

Waking up to Champagne breakfasts every morning from one of the top producers? Yes, please! That’s my kind of vacation.

If you’re a Champagne lover, don’t miss our roundup of 9 best Champagne houses to visit. These spots are absolutely worth adding to your itinerary.

If you’re a foodie, Reims is a culinary gem you won’t want to miss.

The city boasts one Bib Gourmand-recommended restaurant and four Michelin-starred spots, making it a fantastic destination for memorable dining experiences.

One standout for us was Le Jardin Les Crayères located at the super stunning and oh-so-elegant, Domaine les Crayères.

We enjoyed a fantastic lunch there, and it easily landed at #5 on my top things to do in Reims!

Epernay holds its own when it comes to memorable dining experiences.

The city is home to two Bib Gourmand restaurants, along with two other highly recommended spots featured in the Michelin Guide.

During our visit, we enjoyed incredible meals at Chez Max and L’OBEN. Both absolutely lived up to the glowing reviews.

If you visit Chez Max, don’t miss the steak tartare. It’s prepared tableside by the chef himself, and honestly, it’s quite possibly the best steak tartare I’ve ever had. This unforgettable foodie experience easily ranks #4 on my list of favorite things to do in Epernay!

Reims is just a quick 45-minute ride from Paris by high-speed train. You’ll barely have time to finish your morning coffee before you’re pulling into the station. It’s that fast.

Epernay is also easily reachable from Paris, though the journey takes a bit longer, about 1 hour and 17 minutes in total.

If you’re planning to visit independently rather than with a tour group, be sure to check out my step-to-step guide on booking a train ticket from Paris to Reims for all the details.

Short on time? A day trip from Paris to Reims is absolutely worth it.

You can hit several historic landmarks, sit down for a solid meal at a Michelin-recommended restaurant, and squeeze in a tasting at one of the big Champagne houses before heading back.

If you have a few days to slow down and actually breathe in the region, base yourself in Epernay.

Walk the streets, rent a bike along the Marne River, and spend your afternoons with boutique producers who have real stories to tell.

One non-negotiable: the steak tartare at Chez Max. The chef prepares it tableside, and that small detail makes the whole thing feel like an event.

It was one of those meals I kept thinking about long after we left!

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Which do you prefer? Epernay or Reims?

Let me know in the comments below!