4 City Visits

4 City Visits Strasbourg, Alsace At around 1 hour 50 minutes by TGV train from Gare de l’Est, the beautiful town of Strasbourg in Alsace is a fabulous day trip. Must-sees including a magnificent Gothic cathedral, it’s one of the most beautiful in France, a fairy-tale like town centre, and a network of canals which are perfect for a relaxing boat ride. There are heaps of museums, fabulous restaurants and superb wine bars where you can indulge in a glass of local Riesling or Gewurztraminer before you catch the train back to Paris. And, a year-round Christmas shop for a memorable souvenir even if you’re not there for the famous Christmas markets. Honestly, one day is not enough for this unmissable city… More on Strasbourg: Best things to do in Strasbourg Where to eat out in Strasbourg

Reims, Champagne 45 minutes by train from Gare de l’Est lies Reims, the capital of Champagne. From the station you can walk to some of the best Champagne houses including Mumm (15- minute walk), and Charles de Cazanove (5 minutes) for a tour and tasting. On the outskirts of town, Ruinart is the favourite Champagne of the French and oldest Champagne house in the world, but you’ll need to take bus no. 3 from the station and walk 5 minutes from the Crayeres stop (total 20 mins – it’s worth it!). There are also loads of little boutique Champagne bars including the fabulous Pol Couronne, where you can taste and buy affordable vintage Champagnes from the family-run company. “The city of coronations” or “the city of Kings” as it’s known, houses the great UNESCO-listed cathedral Notre-Dame de Reims, where French kings were crowed for 1000 years. More on Reims: Visit Champagne vineyards and villages by train from Reims Epernay is each to reach by train from Reims