Reims tastes different from the driver’s seat. This 2-hour Champagne Safari in a Land Rover Defender 110 takes you into the Montagne de Reims vineyards, with stops built around wide viewpoints over the city. I love the VIP feel of rolling through the vines in an off-road vehicle, without turning the experience into a rush-through shopping stop.

I also like that the tasting is structured around a brut tradition experience with at least two pours per person, so you can actually compare what’s in your glass. And since the group is capped at 8, the live guide can slow down for questions in French or English. One consideration: at $113 per person, it’s not the cheapest way to drink Champagne, and the cost can feel high if you only want a quick sip.

One more practical note: the route includes a walk in the hills and lots of hopping in and out for viewpoints, so comfortable shoes matter. Pack sunscreen and water, and bring your camera—you’ll want it the moment you see the city of Reims from the vineyard.

Key points to know before you go

• Land Rover Defender 110 ride that feels more like a safari than a standard tasting bus
• Panoramic viewpoint focus, including views back toward the city of Reims
• Brut tradition tasting with at least two pours, plus a food tasting moment
• Small group size (max 8) for a more relaxed conversation with the guide
• Two-part pacing: about 75 minutes of sightseeing, then about 45 minutes for tasting and food
• Optional vintage cuvée tasting for people who want a wider flavor range

Why the Defender 110 changes the whole Champagne visit

If you’ve done Champagne before, you’ve probably seen the same loop: sit, listen, sip, leave. Here, the vehicle is part of the story. You’re picked up and driven around in a white Defender Land Rover 110, the kind of ride that fits the Champagne hills because it naturally brings you to higher points and scenic pull-offs.

That matters because Montagne de Reims is all about elevation and perspective. When you’re higher up—on vineyard paths and scenic routes—the Champagne experience stops being about a single tasting room and becomes about the views, the terrain, and the route itself. The tour is designed around the highest viewpoints in the region, and you feel it quickly once the car starts moving past the vines toward the panorama.

Also, the Defender ride is simply more fun than you expect. One of the standout comments from past participants is how amazing the Defender drive feels, not just the destination. If you’re the kind of person who enjoys the “getting there” part, this tour wins.

Pickup points and timing: how the 2 hours actually feel

This experience runs for 2 hours total, and the starting times vary—so check availability for your day. You’ll want to arrive early enough to get settled. You’re asked to show up 5 minutes before departure, and that’s good advice because the group is small and the guide moves with purpose.

Pickup options include:

• Reims, Cours Anatole France
• Gare Centre Re
• Gare Champagne-Ardenne TGV (Bezannes)

You can also request pickup from your hotel in Reims and Épernay. If you’re staying somewhere else, your best bet is to use one of the listed pickup points and meet there.

What I like about the pacing is that it’s clearly split into two chunks:

• About 75 minutes for scenic drive + guided sightseeing + photo stop
• About 45 minutes for the tasting and food moment, with a hop-on hop-off viewpoint stop

That structure helps because you’re not trying to do deep tasting while also racing through the countryside. You get the views first, then you slow down for your Champagne time.

The sightseeing stop: photo moments and the Reims viewpoint effect

The first big segment is built around seeing the Montagne de Reims area from different angles. You’ll have a photo stop and guided sightseeing, with a scenic drive that’s meant for looking out, not staring at your phone.

This is where the “panoramic” promise shows up in real life. The tour includes panoramic views of the city of Reims from the vineyard. From down in town, Reims looks one way. From up in the vines, it looks completely different—like a whole other layer of the region.

You’ll likely move along the route taking in a mix of:

• the scenic Champagne road feel
• vineyard pathways
• planned viewpoint stops

A practical takeaway: bring your camera ready to go. There are photo opportunities along the way, and viewpoint chances usually don’t last long once the group settles in. If you want sharp photos, take a second to pick your spot before you start snapping.

The tasting stop: brut tradition with at least two pours and food

The second half is the Champagne payoff. You’ll reach the tasting segment, where you get a brut tradition tasting along with a food tasting component.

Here’s one detail that I really appreciate: the tasting is set up so you have two cups minimum. That sounds small, but it changes the experience. Instead of one quick “here you go” pour, you can actually notice differences and let the flavors land.

You’ll also have the chance for a vintage cuvée tasting for people who want a broader flavor range. If you’re the type who enjoys comparing styles, this is the part that turns a simple tasting into something more thoughtful.

And yes, Champagne is more fun when someone can explain what you’re tasting. A guide named Christofer has been described as friendly and good at walking people through the bottle and the tasting. The key is that you’ll have a live guide in French and English, so if you don’t understand a term, you can ask rather than just nod and hope.

One more thing: the tasting segment includes a hop-on hop-off stop, which usually means you can step out for a better view before or during the tasting moment. It’s a nice balance—drink, but don’t lose the scenery.

Don’t rush the hills: what to do during the short walk

The tour includes time for a walk in the hills with the traditional tasting. That doesn’t mean a marathon. But it does mean uneven ground, vineyard slopes, and spots where you’ll want decent footing.

So plan to:

• wear comfortable shoes
• bring water
• take breaks when you need them
• keep your camera handy for the viewpoint transitions

This is also the best time to slow down and look around. The Montagne de Reims area is all about how the vines sit across the slopes. When you’re walking a short stretch, you get a better sense of why the region’s viewpoints are such a big deal.

If you hate walking between viewpoints, this might feel like extra effort. But in my opinion, the walk is short enough that it doesn’t steal focus from tasting—it just makes the views more meaningful.

Price and value: is $113 worth it?

At $113 per person, you’re paying for more than a glass of Champagne. You’re paying for:

• the 2-hour Defender ride
• the planned scenic route through the vineyards
• guided sightseeing with a live guide (French/English)
• the brut tradition tasting with two cups minimum
• a food tasting moment
• a small group size (max 8)

That’s the value equation. The vehicle and viewpoint design are the “product,” not just the drink. If you show up only for the tasting and don’t care about scenic driving, you may feel it’s expensive for the amount of time actually spent pouring and eating.

But if you like being taken to viewpoints and you want the Champagne experience to include a real sense of place, this starts to make sense. You’re basically buying a guided, high-perch Champagne day packaged into two hours—small group, one guide, and a vehicle that makes the whole region easier to enjoy.

My quick rule: this is worth it if you’d pay extra just to get to the best angles without negotiating transport yourself.

Who this Reims Defender tour fits best

This tour fits best if you:

• want a Champagne experience built around panoramic views
• enjoy scenic drives more than you enjoy sitting in a room
• like small groups and a guide who can answer questions
• want Champagne tastings that include brut tradition plus a food moment

It’s also a good choice if you’re visiting Reims for a short window. Two hours is manageable, and pickup options make it easier to fit into your day.

Who should skip it:

• pregnant women
• people with back problems
• babies under 1 year

If you’re in any of those categories, it’s smart to look for a different format where the walking and vehicle movement are minimized.

What to bring for a comfortable day above Reims

This is one of those tours where “bring the right basics” makes your life easier.

Bring:

• Comfortable shoes (for the short hills walk)
• Sun hat
• Camera
• Sunscreen
• Water

Dress for the weather. You can come as you are, but it’s better if your outfit matches a few hours outdoors—some time in sun, some time near viewpoints, and the possibility of a breeze up on the hills.

Should you book this panoramic Champagne Safari?

I’d book it if you want Champagne with views and a bit of adventure energy, not just a tasting counter. The Defender 110 ride, the planned photo and viewpoint stops, and the structured tasting (including brut tradition with at least two pours plus food) make this feel like a full experience in two hours.

I would not book it if you’re mainly chasing the lowest price per glass. This is pricing that includes the ride, the scenery, and the guide.

FAQ

FAQ

How long is the tour?

The experience runs for 2 hours total.

Where are the pickup locations?

You can be picked up at Cours Anatole France in Reims, Gare Centre Re, or Gare Champagne-Ardenne TGV (Bezannes). Hotel pickup in Reims and Épernay is also available on request.

What language is the guide?

The live guide speaks French and English.

How big is the group?

The group is limited to 8 participants.

What is included in the tasting?

You’ll have a brut tradition tasting with at least two cups minimum, and there is also a food tasting component. A vintage cuvée tasting option is mentioned for people who want more flavor range.

Is the tour suitable for everyone?

No. It is not suitable for pregnant women, people with back problems, or babies under 1 year.

If you tell me your travel dates and which pickup point you prefer (Reims center vs TGV area vs hotel), I can help you plan the timing so you don’t feel rushed.

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