Why Visit Reims from Disneyland Paris?
You are staying at one of Europe's greatest family resorts — but less than 90 minutes to the northeast lies one of France's most extraordinary cities. Reims is the ancient capital of French Champagne, home to a UNESCO World Heritage cathedral that rivals anything in Europe, and above (or rather, beneath) its elegant streets: millions of bottles of the world's most celebrated wine quietly maturing in 4th-century Roman chalk cellars.
For families, couples and groups visiting Disneyland Paris, a day trip to Reims offers something genuinely different — a window into 2,000 years of French history, the ritual of a proper Champagne tasting in a medieval cellar, and the extraordinary architecture of a Gothic cathedral that served as the coronation church of French kings for over a thousand years. This is real France, at its most magnificent.
With MickeyCabs, the entire journey is effortless. Your English-speaking professional driver picks you up at your Disneyland Paris hotel lobby, drives you to Reims in a premium Mercedes vehicle, guides you between each stop, and returns you to the resort in time for dinner. No rental car, no navigation, no parking. Just the finest champagne country in the world, experienced at your own pace.
The distance from Disneyland Paris to Reims is 145 kilometres — approximately 1 hour 30 minutes via the A4 motorway. The drive itself is beautiful, passing through the Champagne vineyards as the landscape opens out east of Paris. This tour is popular year-round but particularly magnificent between April and October when the vines are in leaf, and in December when Reims hosts one of France's finest Christmas markets.
Your Full Day Champagne Circuit — Itinerary
08:00 — Departure from Your Disneyland Paris Hotel
Your MickeyCabs driver meets you in the hotel lobby with a name sign. You depart in your premium Mercedes — air-conditioned, comfortable, with complimentary mineral water — and head northeast on the A4 motorway. The 90-minute drive takes you through the eastern suburbs of Paris and then into the open Champagne countryside: flat plateaus covered in carefully tended vines stretching to the horizon. Your driver can answer questions about the region and help you plan the day ahead.
MickeyCabs picks up from all Disneyland Paris on-site hotels (Disneyland Hotel, Hotel New York, Newport Bay Club, Sequoia Lodge, Cheyenne, Santa Fe), all partner hotels (Marriott's Village, Dream Castle, Grand Magic, Ki Space, Elysée Val Europe, Campanile, Adagio, B&B Hotel) and all accommodation within 15 km of the resort.
09:30 — Cathédrale Notre-Dame de Reims
Your first stop is one of the supreme masterpieces of Gothic architecture — and one of the most historically significant buildings in Europe. Notre-Dame de Reims took over three centuries to build (1211–1516) and served as the coronation church of 25 French kings, from Louis VIII in 1223 to Charles X in 1825. It was here, in July 1429, that Joan of Arc stood beside Charles VII as he was crowned King of France — one of the most dramatic moments in European medieval history.
The west façade alone contains over 2,300 individual sculptures — an entire theological world carved in stone over generations of master craftsmen. Inside, the scale is overwhelming: the nave rises 38 metres above the floor, and light pours through some of the most extraordinary stained glass in France. The choir windows — designed by Marc Chagall in 1974 — are particular treasures: abstract, luminous compositions in deep blue and rose that bathe the ambulatory in otherworldly colour.
The cathedral is a UNESCO World Heritage Site (listed 1991). Entry is free; English audio guides and guided tours are available. Allow at least 60–90 minutes — most visitors find they want more. The exterior is equally rewarding: walk around the building to appreciate the flying buttresses, the north and south rose windows, and the extraordinary sculptural programme that covers virtually every surface.
11:00 — Palais du Tau
Directly beside the cathedral, the Palais du Tau was the official residence of the Archbishops of Reims and served as the palace where French kings stayed before and celebrated after their coronations. Today it is a museum housing an exceptional collection that brings the cathedral's history to life: original Gothic sculptures removed from the exterior for conservation, medieval tapestries, royal coronation robes and regalia, and priceless ecclesiastical treasures accumulated over eight centuries.
The centrepiece is the magnificent Salle du Tau — the great banqueting hall where coronation feasts were held. Measuring over 40 metres long, with soaring Gothic vaulting and 15th-century tapestries depicting the life of Clovis (France's first Christian king), it is one of the finest secular Gothic spaces in France. Entry approximately €11 per adult; audio guides in English. Allow 45–60 minutes.
12:30 — Caves Taittinger
Time to descend underground. Taittinger is one of the last great family-owned Champagne houses — the Taittinger family has run it since 1945 — and their caves are among the most spectacular in Reims. The cellars occupy two distinct historic layers: 4th-century Roman chalk quarries (used to build the city above) and 13th-century Benedictine monk cellars, carved from the same chalk by monks of the Saint-Nicaise abbey. Together they descend 18 metres below the city streets and extend through a labyrinth of galleries housing over 15 million bottles.
The guided tour (available in English) takes approximately 45 minutes and covers the complete story of Champagne production: from the chalk geology that makes the Reims cellars unique, through the vinification and blending process, to the riddling racks where bottles are gently turned by hand over weeks to concentrate the sediment before dégorgement. The tour concludes with a tasting of two Taittinger cuvées, including the iconic Brut Réserve. Sipping cold Champagne 18 metres underground in a medieval chalk cellar is an experience without equivalent. Tour and tasting: approximately €30–35 per adult. Pre-booking strongly recommended.
14:00 — Gastronomic Lunch in Reims
Reims has an excellent restaurant scene ranging from Michelin-starred establishments to lively brasseries. Your driver can recommend options based on your preferences and budget. Popular choices include:
- Le Millénaire — Michelin-starred, inventive French cuisine, exceptional Champagne list. The city's finest table.
- Brasserie du Boulingrin — A magnificent 1925 Art Deco brasserie in the city centre, serving classic French dishes in a beautiful historic setting. Excellent value.
- Le Bocal — Modern French bistro with excellent seafood and generous portions. Very popular with locals.
Budget approximately €25–70 per person depending on your choice. Your driver will drop you at the restaurant and collect you when you're ready.
15:30 — Caves Pommery or G.H. Mumm
Your afternoon Champagne experience. Choose between two very different houses:
Caves Pommery is architecturally the most spectacular Champagne house in Reims. The surface buildings — designed in neo-Elizabethan style by the architect Gosset in 1868 at the instruction of the remarkable Madame Pommery — look more like a Scottish castle than a French winery. The underground experience is equally theatrical: 18 kilometres of galleries carved through the chalk, decorated with sculptures commissioned in the 19th century and displayed in alcoves along the gallery walls. The cellars are a work of art as much as a winery. Pommery's Brut Royal is one of the world's best-selling Champagnes. Tour and tasting from approximately €28.
G.H. Mumm is the Champagne house most familiar to international visitors — the red Cordon Rouge sash on the bottle is one of wine's most recognisable labels, and the brand is synonymous with Formula 1 victory celebrations worldwide. The cellars hold over 25 million bottles and the guided tour is dynamic and accessible, particularly good for first-time Champagne visitors. The Cordon Rouge Grand Cru tasting is excellent. Tour and tasting from approximately €30.
17:00 — Château de Condé, Épernay (Optional)
A 30-minute drive south of Reims, in the small village of Condé-en-Brie, stands one of the most remarkable privately-owned châteaux in France. Château de Condé has been in the same aristocratic family for generations and is filled with an extraordinary and largely unknown collection: original Renaissance frescoes painted directly on the walls, including 18th-century commissions from pupils of Watteau, and a sequence of rooms that document the development of French decorative arts from the 15th to the 18th century.
The château is surrounded by its own vineyards, producing both Champagne and still wines under the estate label. The guided tour (approximately €12) concludes with a tasting of the château's own Champagne and Coteaux Champenois wines. This is the kind of discovery that most tourists never make — genuine French aristocratic heritage, a living winery, and wines you cannot buy anywhere else. Highly recommended for those with an interest in art history or authentic French country life.
19:30 — Return to Disneyland Paris
Your MickeyCabs driver collects you and takes you back to Disneyland Paris along the scenic Champagne roads and the A4 motorway, arriving at your hotel in time for dinner. You will return with bottles of Champagne (purchasable at every maison visited), memories of an extraordinary day, and a genuine, deep sense of one of France's greatest regional cultures.
The Champagne Houses — What to Expect
The Champagne houses of Reims are among the most visited cultural destinations in France, but they remain surprisingly intimate experiences — particularly when your private tour allows you to visit without the pressure of a group coach schedule.
Taittinger combines the finest historic cellars in Reims (the Roman layers are genuinely extraordinary) with Champagnes of consistent elegance. The family ownership gives the house a personal warmth absent from some larger producers. The Comtes de Champagne blanc de blancs is one of the finest prestige cuvées in Champagne.
Pommery is the choice for architectural and artistic drama. The surface buildings, the sculpted galleries, and the sheer scale of the cellars make this the most visually spectacular Champagne experience in Reims. The Brut Royal is excellent; the Cuvée Louise prestige is outstanding.
G.H. Mumm offers the most accessible and internationally-oriented experience — the tour is exceptionally well-produced, the Cordon Rouge is one of the world's great non-vintage Champagnes, and the prestige RSRV range is exceptional value. Ideal for first-time Champagne visitors.
Pricing & Booking
| Vehicle | Passengers | Full Day (11h) |
|---|---|---|
| Mercedes E-Class Sedan | 1–3 passengers | €380 |
| Mercedes V-Class Van | 1–7 passengers | €450 |
| Large Mercedes Van | 1–8 passengers | €550 |
Always included: Professional English-speaking driver · Premium Mercedes vehicle · Fuel and all motorway tolls · Free child seats (infant, toddler, booster) · Bottled mineral water · Flexible itinerary · Hotel pickup and drop-off at Disneyland Paris · WhatsApp contact throughout
Not included: Champagne cave entrance fees and tastings (€15–35/person per house) · Meals · Wine and Champagne purchases · Museum entry fees (€11–13/person)
Typical full-day cost per person (group of 4 in V-Class): transport €112 + Taittinger €32 + Pommery €28 + lunch €40 + Palais du Tau €11 = approximately €223 per person for an extraordinary day in Champagne country, door-to-door from Disneyland Paris.
→ Book your Champagne day tour from Disneyland Paris | WhatsApp +33 6 12 92 33 07
Practical Information
- Distance: Disneyland Paris → Reims: 145 km, approximately 1h30 via A4 motorway
- Best months: April–October for ideal weather. July–August is harvest preparation — vineyards are spectacular. December is magical (Christmas market in Reims is one of France's best).
- Advance booking: At least 48 hours recommended; 1 week in peak season (June–August). Also book Champagne house tours in advance — Taittinger and Pommery fill up quickly.
- Child seats: Infant, toddler and booster seats always available at no extra cost — just mention when booking.
- Alcohol-free options: All major Champagne houses offer non-alcoholic alternatives (grape juice, sparkling water) for non-drinkers and younger guests.
- What to wear: Comfortable shoes — the underground cellars involve walking on uneven chalk floors. Bring a light layer: cellar temperature is a constant 11°C regardless of outside weather.
- WhatsApp: +33 6 12 92 33 07
Frequently Asked Questions
How far is Reims from Disneyland Paris?
Reims is 145 kilometres northeast of Disneyland Paris, approximately 1 hour 30 minutes by private car via the A4 motorway. The drive is pleasant and passes through the Champagne vineyards in the final stretch.
What is included in the price?
The tour price includes your professional English-speaking driver, premium Mercedes vehicle, all fuel and motorway tolls, free child seats, mineral water, hotel pickup and drop-off, and a fully flexible itinerary. Champagne house entrance fees and tastings (€15–35/person per house), meals, and museum entry fees are paid separately on the day.
Can we customise the itinerary?
Completely — this is a private tour. You choose which Champagne houses to visit, how long to spend at each stop, whether to include the Château de Condé, and where to have lunch. Your driver can make recommendations on the day based on opening times and availability.
Are children welcome?
Absolutely. Free child seats are always available (infant, toddler and booster). The cathedral, Palais du Tau and Château de Condé are fascinating for children of all ages. The Champagne caves are dramatic and exciting for older children. Most houses offer non-alcoholic tastings for younger guests.
How do we book?
Book online at mickeycabs.com/en/booking or contact us directly via WhatsApp at +33 6 12 92 33 07. We recommend booking at least 48 hours in advance. In peak season (June–August) a week's advance booking is advisable.
→ Reserve your Champagne tour — Book in 2 minutes
MickeyCabs — licensed private hire and day tour service (SASU), Serris 77700, Marne-la-Vallée. English-speaking drivers. 5 minutes from Disneyland Paris.