Shopping in Reims

[JGD]

My wife and I are going to France in March for a short vacation. Most of our time will be spent in Reims. Does anyone have any insight on shops to stop by in the area? Thanks!

[ayepatz]

I’d be saving all my pennies for the various Champagne houses. ?

[JGD]

4 minutes ago, ayepatz said:

I’d be saving all my pennies for the various Champagne houses. ?

Haha that is the main mission! However, I’m also hoping to pick up some QdO regionals if I can find them.

[RichUK]

We were there for a week in the summer. I did some research in advance and took cigars with me as we concentrated on champagne houses and tastings (we brought about 60 bottles back).

If I remember, there was a shop on Place Drouet d'Erlon that sold cigars, but did not have a great selection and mainly sold standard production cigars in tubes.

If you are looking for great champagne shop recommendations, then La Vinocave, also on Place Drouet d'Erlon is well recommended, they advised of us some great champagnes as as having a rum, whisky and armagnac selection to die for. Alternatively the Cave des Sacres which is on the square next to the Cathedral is a great place to visit, they delivered to our hotel for us and their recommendation where fantastic.

We did the Pommery, Mumm and Taittinger house tours. If you have time, try to visit the Avenue de Champagne in Eperney too.

[ayepatz]

1 hour ago, RichUK said:

We did the Pommery, Mumm and Taittinger house tours. If you have time, try to visit the Avenue de Champagne in Eperney too.

I did the Mumm and Taittinger a few years ago. I was particularly intrigued by the rambling Taittinger cellars - formed from old abbey crypt ruins and Roman pyramidal chalk mines. The Mumm cellars I remember as being quite Germanic and logical by comparison. Both tours were thoroughly enjoyable. 

[JGD]

3 hours ago, RichUK said:

We were there for a week in the summer. I did some research in advance and took cigars with me as we concentrated on champagne houses and tastings (we brought about 60 bottles back).

If I remember, there was a shop on Place Drouet d'Erlon that sold cigars, but did not have a great selection and mainly sold standard production cigars in tubes.

If you are looking for great champagne shop recommendations, then La Vinocave, also on Place Drouet d'Erlon is well recommended, they advised of us some great champagnes as as having a rum, whisky and armagnac selection to die for. Alternatively the Cave des Sacres which is on the square next to the Cathedral is a great place to visit, they delivered to our hotel for us and their recommendation where fantastic.

We did the Pommery, Mumm and Taittinger house tours. If you have time, try to visit the Avenue de Champagne in Eperney too.

 

1 hour ago, ayepatz said:

I did the Mumm and Taittinger a few years ago. I was particularly intrigued by the rambling Taittinger cellars - formed from old abbey crypt ruins and Roman pyramidal chalk mines. The Mumm cellars I remember as being quite Germanic and logical by comparison. Both tours were thoroughly enjoyable. 

Thanks for the recommendations, guys!

[kuma]

2008,2013, 2014, 2015 visited France and some different regions.  found it easy when in Nice to find a few good cigar shops.

if I remember the CDG airport had reg. production stock.  also Monte Carlo had 2 or three good shops not to mention

the Casino has a decent selection.  Aux Provence had a great cigar shop at the top of the main concourse.

but in general looks like France is not that user friendly when it comes to cigar smoking.  rather go to Spain a stones throw away

from France and rub elbows with the cigar loving locals.  Maybe only the 2nd best place to smoke/buy cigars other than Cuba!