Reims was my spontaneous trip to date. It was planned sitting at the dinner table at Benoit in Paris. It was my 30th birthday the next day and Evan had the fantastic idea to make an adventure. So in 30 min the itinerary was crafted. Reims is full of two of my favorite things- michellin star restaurants & champagne! Evan booked the train tickets- we planned day trip there in back from around 10 am to 8 pm! The train ride is just about an hour.
Evan and I's first stop was the gorgeous hotel- Les Crayeres. It blew our socks off. So stunning. We had lunch planned here at Le Parc (mind you was also booked at benoit) and to my happy surprise it was a three michellin star tasting menu. Funny thing was our first champagne tour started within an hour so we were in a hustle. The hotel had the cutest lounge - green interiors with the most fun plaid carpet and great wood bar. Sadly, due to our time crunch we had to forgoe drinks before our meal. The service was impeccable and the views from the dining room were impeccable. I still dream about the chardonnay and champagne we had at lunch- the wine selection was out of this world. I wish i could remember the glass of chardonnay we had. Also, the restaurant was very accomodating of gluten allergies- they kept the GF bread coming. Evan and I were able to choose 3 courses for our meal. I accidently ordered a caviar overload. I did not realize how generous they were with their Caviar. The first course was a combination of leeks and caviar three ways. Super delicious. For the next course, i had scallops with yet again caviar and Evan had guinea fowl. Evan was blown away by his dish he said it may be his top 10 meals ever. They surprised us with dessert at the end and the most gorgeous chocolate creation with a candle came out & the most desserts my eyes have seen. After lunch, Evan and I ran, yes ran to Veuve. They are located so close to one another and it was faster to hustle there then get a car. In true Evan and Tinsley fashion we showed up fashionably late to the tour at Veuve. Funny thing was we had signed up for the tour in French because when we planned the trip the day before the English was sold out. The cave was so stunning when the opened the doors it blew us away and shockingly even though it was in French we actually learned a lot- and i speak no french. After Vueve, we ubered to Mumm. Thankfully this tour was in English and also a champagne cave. Both tours were super fun and educational. I loved trying the champagne and actually being able to tell the difference between the various champagnes we tasted. Post the tour we walked to do some site seeing. We were there on a Sunday so a lot of the shops were closed. Evan really wanted to see the Notre Dame Cathedral they had there which happened to be by another cute hotel that we popped in for some snacks and wine- La Caserne Chanzy. Restaurants: Le Foch* Racine** Assiette Champenoise *** Le Parc ** Le Royale* Champagne Houses: Veuve Ruinart Tattinger Pommery Mumm |
train ride to reims.
les creyeres.
notre dame.
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