On 10 June 2007 French Railways opened the latest link in their high speed train network with the TGV Est Europeén which will link Paris with Reims, Strasbourg and points east – i.e. Germany (Munich) and Austria (Vienna) – all by high speed train.
Importantly it brings the travel time between Paris and Reims to just 45 minutes (previously 95 minutes) – so although an east-west route does not appear to be immediately useful for visitors from the UK, these timings make a day trip from Paris to Reims (for its Cathedral and the Champagne houses) more than possible.Or vice versa – a day’s excursion from Reims to Paris could enhance a long weekend in the capital of Champagne.
Similarly Strasbourg comes down from 4 hours to 2 hours 20 minutes from Paris, (and eventually to 1h 50m) providing faster access to the vineyards of Alsace.
Another example of an impressive approach to major infrastructure developments in France – made easier by the fact that France has so much more “elbow room” with twice the land area of the UK – and rather different planning laws.
LINKS:-
Recommended Reading:
Alsace Lorraine Champagne Green Guide (Michelin Green Guides)
World Encylopedia of Champagne & Sparkling Wine
see our Top 30 vineyard B&Bs in France
find cheap flights and plane tickets from Booking.com
somewhere to stay, a ferry, a train or car hire?
stay on a French vineyard – over 250 vineyards featured across France – hotels, B&B, self-catering 
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