Good Champagne In Paris – 10 Stops Along The Route de Bubbly!

Good champagne in Paris is the beverage of champions. It's the burg we love to call the City of Sparkle. One of our hobbies in Paris is to discover new places to enjoy a glass of good champagne. And that's not hard to do since good champagne in Paris is ubiquitous — the good stuff is served everywhere… bars, bistros, parks, rooftops, and even on top of the Eiffel Tower!

Let's look at a few of our favorite places to drink the bubbly — taking time to sit back, relax, and savor the city with a glass of good champagne. Stopping for a champagne break during your busy days in Paris helps to slow things down and gives you a chance to really appreciate where you are. And, believe us, you're going to remember those good champagne stops as much as you remember your visit to the museums.

1. Champagne on a Bateau Mouche

You're going to treasure this memory forever — cruising down the river Seine, taking in all the sights of Paris, while sipping champagne in a private room at the front of the bateau, served by an expert sommelier.

On this VIP-style river cruise you taste not just one champagne, but three different types. The cruise is in the early evening, so in spring and fall you'll also be able to gaze on the lights of the City of Light… as you're siting in the front of the boat… in a private cabin… sipping champagne… in Paris.

2. Champagne in a Horse-Drawn Carriage

Is there a more romantic way to see Paris than from a horse-drawn carriage with a glass of champagne in your hand? We couldn't think of one, that's why we love this idea.

Over the course of ninety minutes you'll traverse the cobblestone streets of Paris and ride past some of the most famous landmarks in the world — the Eiffel Tower, Rue Faubourg St Honoré, Place Vendôme, the opulent Palais Garnier, Place de la Concorde, and Les Invalides with the Tomb of Napoleon.

You can choose to keep it completely romantic, with just the two of you, or invite friends along (up to four people total). We suggest you choose the 6 PM, champagne-fueled tour, called Royal Champagne.

3. Dilettantes, Maison de Champagne

Dilettantes is a one-of-a-kind champagne shop that was founded to promote the champagnes of little-known but top-notch producers that you're not likely to find in other stores. There you'll find exclusively high-quality grower-produced champagne, cultivated on small, family-owned estates. This all make sense when you realize that founder Fannie Heucq herself comes from a family of small-scale champagne producers.

Dilettantes also have a cellar where you can taste the champagnes of the day for a small fee. You can also book a tasting of a flight of champagnes. There are many tasting options including meetings with wine makers, special group events, and oenology workshops. It's a unique offering in Paris and a nice little place with a superb location in Saint-Germain.

4. Vintage Rolls Champagne Night Tour of Paris

"Rolls", as in "Rolls Royce". You know — swimming pools, movie stars…

When night falls Paris truly becomes the City of Light. And this experience is like no other — see Paris from the back of a chauffeured-driven vintage Rolls Royce, while sipping champagne with your special someone. (Up to 4 people total, in case you have special someones.) The 2hr Tour with Champagne tour is just about perfect.

5. Champagne in Champagne

The famous and sparkling Champagne Region is only about an hour from Paris, and it makes for a great day trip. So it's easy to take a day to explore the chalk caves and legendary champagne houses such as Moët & Chandon, where Napoleon himself celebrated his victories.

This is our readers' favorite tour to the Champagne Region. It includes pick up at your Paris hotel, a small group of no more than eight people, an expert driver/guide, at least 8 different tastings, and gourmet lunch at a family-run Champagne house with champagne and food pairing

You visit one of the big champagne houses — Moët & Chandon, Taittinger, or Veuve Clicquot — as well as smaller estates. You may even get a chance to see grapes being pressed. It's a great day and a wonderful introduction to the bubbly.

More Favorite Champagne Stops in Paris

6. Café Marly at the Louvre

After exploring the Louvre art museum, you'll want to take a break to admire the courtyard and the Louvre Pyramid while enjoying a glass of good champagne at Café Marly. You really want to get a find a seat outside, for the wonderful view of the palace and inner courtyard. But remember, this is an address for champagne only – jamais (never) for eating.

7. In Montmartre

Up the hill of the 18th Arrondissement, in Montmartre, there is a restaurant where they serve very generous coupes de champagne an we sometimes go there just for that reason. Wander through Montmartre and stop at Le Restaurant for a mammoth drink of champagne (although you can get a bottle for around 45€ ), along with the 20€, 3-course lunch, one of the best deals in Paris.
• 32 rue Véron, 75018
• Website…

8. The Roof of a Grand Magasin

There are a number of restaurants in Printemps Paris, one of the most elegant of the grands magasins (department stores), but it is the rooftop café, Le Déli-Cieux, that will wow you. The 360° panoramic, open-air view lets you linger over the finest monuments in Paris while you enjoy a glass of good champagne.
• 64, Boulevard Haussmann, 75009

9. A Bar That Time Forgot

Speaking of Paris department stores, if the 1950s are your golden age, you must stop at cafe Les Mouettes. It's conveniently located behind our favourite department store in Paris, Le Bon Marché. Les Mouettes is generous with its coupes de champagne and the price is right. You can imagine Jeanne Moreau or Jean-Paul Belmando drinking here. The place just might leave you "breathless" !
• 130 Rue du Bac, 75007

Update — since we first wrote this Les Mouettes has been updated to a clean, modern style. The champagne is still good, though not with that 1950s vibe.

10. Champagne in the Parks

Paris has wonderful parks, and having a glass of champagne at a tree-shaded outdoor café makes them even better! There are cafés in the Jardin de Luxembourg in the 6th Arrondissement and in the Jardin des Tuileries next to the Louvre. Many of them offer champagne by the glass.