In a perfect world, sometimes traveling can feel like a chapter in your life that you are writing in real time. A recent Paris-to-Champagne trip with two of my childhood besties was one of those.
We started in Paris, where a milestone birthday brought together a group of friends. This group didn’t need introductions, just a reservation time and a reason to get dressed up. We all checked into The Hoxton Paris, a hotel that feels like it was designed for people who can appreciate the interior of their room as much as what’s on the upcoming itinerary – luxurious in that Parisian way but without trying too hard.
It seemed that in those first few days in Paris, we did quite a lot of celebrating: long dinners and champagne poured more often than water. I took note that the itinerary had nothing to do with schedules. Everything was planned with a mood in mind.
One of the highlights was catching the Mickalene Thomas exhibition on its final day in Paris at the Grand Palais, a reminder that timing is everything. There was also the kind of shopping that makes you rethink your luggage strategy including a very satisfying visit to La Vallée Village, a shopping outlet outside of Paris.
There was Pink Mamma, an Italian Restaurant famous for its hard-to-get reservations and stunning glass-roofed top floor and Soho House Paris where the conversation and vibes flowed just as easily as the bubbly.
But the most elevated moments in Paris weren’t about where we went. They were about access.
A private visit to Little Africa Village offered a different lens on Paris entirely: part concept store, part cultural space. The owner Jacqueline educated us on the different artisans whose works are featured there and celebrated the significance of Little Africa Village’s significance in the city. A chauffeur-driven shopping day turned La Vallée Village into something closer to a curated sprint through the pages of VOGUE. Beautiful discounts, beautiful chaos, and then the realization afterward that we were going to have to figure out how to get all of this to Champagne.
Another night we dined at Passionné, a Michelin-recommended Franco-Japanese restaurant where precision shaped every plate. It was one of those meals where silence is part of the tasting menu. And then there were bubbles, lots of them courtesy of my BFF (bless her heart). And finally the pièce de resistance, the birthday dinner at Verjus – a beautifully designed, intimate restaurant steps from the Palais-Royal, known for its ingredient-driven seasonal tasting menu. The chef was kind enough to share his incredible roast chicken recipe that I promise to give to anyone who asks (send me a DM) and the swan cake he created was spectacular. The night took on real meaning when each guest was professionally photographed steps away at the Palais Royal turning the evening into a memory that will last forever.
Paris to Champagne
After partying all-night and a suitcase situation that can only be described as “retail enthusiasm gone rogue,” we made our way to Champagne by train. Technically, as connections go, this is one of the easiest. Paris to Reims in Champagne is direct and efficient. A private car service to Reims runs around $500 USD. In hindsight, this is the definition of money well spent..
Reims: Cathedrals, Cellars, and Champagne
We arrived in Reims the day before Easter and were greeted by a private driver who took us to our hotel, Le Caserne Chanzy Hotel & Spa, that sat directly across from the Cathédrale Notre-Dame de Reims. The location sets the tone with the kind of view that makes you pause mid-sentence. The hotel itself is understated in the best way: spare design, a very French breakfast, and a champagne list that equals any top tier restaurant.
Easter Sunday brought a reminder that France still honors its holidays properly. Coming in a day earlier or staying a day later might’ve been better as many of the retail shops were closed. But this time of year felt right; there were fewer crowds, and with most of the champagne houses being open we had space to breathe.
Champagne, after all, is not meant to be rushed.
The Houses: Ruinart, Perrier-Jouët, and the Art of Access
Ruinart was the standout in a very competitive field. – a private experience that included a multi-course lunch and a cellar tour, delivered in a way that felt like entry into a curated world. Rare bottles, a thoughtful tasting, and that unmistakable Ruinart elegance that leans more toward art than wine. It was beautiful and delicious.
We also visited Gaston Chiquet and Perrier-Jouët in Epernay each offering a different interpretation of Champagne’s heritage, floral notes, structure, and tradition.
On our last night we dined at an authentic French restaurant called Au Petit Comptoir and were joined by one of the founders of Maison Pertetule. He arrived with bottles in hand for us to have with dinner and the restaurant owner as well. What followed was a tasting across the table—part introduction, part storytelling, part “this is why I love champagne.”
On our last night we dined at an authentic French restaurant called Au Petit Comptoir and were joined by one of the founders of Maison Pertetule. He arrived with bottles in hand for us to have with dinner and the restaurant owner as well. What followed was a tasting across the table—part introduction, part storytelling, part “this is why I love champagne.”
It’s hard to re-create moments like that. That’s why they matter.
The Best Part
The most unforgettable moment happened back at the hotel where we shared one last bottle of champagne, sitting and drinking a little too late, reminiscing, discussing the trip, life, and everything that’s happened over the decades of our friendship – nothing deep, just the kind of easy conversation that comes from people who’ve known you long enough to remember… when.
What Made This Trip Work
Sometimes an itinerary is just a suggestion. France understands this better than most destinations. This itinerary worked because nothing felt rushed. Even when the schedule was full, there was still space to just be in it.
And honestly, that’s the whole point.
