If you are planning a trip from Paris, do yourself a favor and book a day trip to Reims and visit the Taittinger Champagne House– you will thank me later, I promise. It’s a quick 45 minute train ride and an absolute must do! Not only will you taste some of the best champagne in the world, you will also learn about the champagne making process and stand inside caves that are full of history and date back to the 4th century. Simply thinking back to our tour and tasting has be grinning from ear to ear- it was really that incredible of an experience.

If you’ve followed me for a while, you likely know that I love supporting family run companies. So when I learned Taittinger Champagne is a family owned house, my love for their bubbly only deepened. And not only is Taittinger the largest family owned champagne house in the world, but they are also one of the only houses who get to store their wine in the famous chalk caves in Reims!

The tour begins with a short video about the caves and the company’s history. Once the video ends, you begin your descent almost 60 feet underground into the caves. Part of their cellars are located in the old Abbey of Saint-Nicaise {which date back to the 4th and 13th century and were built by Romans} and part of their caves were built by monks. As you tour the caves you will not only find remnants from when the monks used the caves as a monastery and wine cellar, but you will also see old carvings from individuals who took refuge in the caves during World War I. {yes, the history nerd in me was in heaven & wishing the chalk walls could talk. any other history nerds out there like me?}  The Taittinger caves recently became part of a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

As we meandered through the ancient caves our guide showed us each step of the champagne making process. Who knew there was such an art and so many steps behind making a single bottle of champagne? We walked past thousands of bottles of bubbly and I was shocked to learn each bottle in the cave was turned by hand during the riddling process {see the video below for more details about the riddling process}. I will forever appreciate each sip of champagne a little more after this tour.

After we finished our tour of the caves, we made our way back upstairs and entered one of their tasting rooms. Our room was decorated with historic pictures, old Taittinger labels, family heirloom pendants, gorgeous art and the most comfortable leather seats. I would love to go back with family or friends and spend a few hours sipping champagne in that room. We tasted the signature Brut La Francaise, the Brut Prestige Rosé, Les Folies de la Marquetterie and the Comtes de Champagne 2006 Blanc de Blancs Brut. Each bottle was delicious and we ended up bringing home one of their signature bottles and their Comtes Blanc de Blancs. Be sure to hit their gift shop on the way out, as their prices are cheaper than you will find anywhere else!

Visiting Taittinger was such an incredible experience and I am already planning a return trip during the warmer months so we can tour the vineyards with family. It was the best day trip from Paris and one of the highlights of our trip!

Watch the video below of our cave and champagne tasting!
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^^ the face was carved by an individual taking refuge in the caves during the war & the statue is remnants from the monks ^^

^^ stairs are remnants from the monks ^^ 

^^ the natural damp atmosphere & chalk caves cause mushrooms to grow every now and then ^^

^^ sometimes bottles explode in the process ^^

^^  carvings from World War I  ^^

I believe you should always have a bottle of champagne in the fridge because you never know when you may have a reason to celebrate- whether that be receiving good news or because it’s a Tuesday! We love popping open a bottle of bubbly at home & creating a simple cheese board or enjoying some pizza.

What do you enjoy pairing with champagne?

on me:
shirt Nordstrom :: shawl old, similar here :: pants Bloomingdale’s :: boots Dune London
socks Aran Sweater :: watch & cuff c/o Daniel Wellington

on him:
shirt Bloomingdale’s :: pants Banana Republic :: watch c/o Daniel Wellington

**Thank you Taittinger for having us! All opinions are my own.