Here is a summary of what you will discover:
Reims is a historic city known for its coronation cathedral, where the kings of France were crowned. You will discover its Gothic heritage, Roman ruins, Art Deco elegance, and museums. You will explore the famous champagne cellars and taste the local specialty: pink biscuits. An ideal destination for a cultural, gourmet, or romantic visit, just 47 minutes from Paris.
Reims and Champagne: much more than just the world's most famous wine
Reims vineyard Photo by geniusksy/Shutterstock
It would be wrong to sum up Champagne as a kind of huge vineyard, even though the world's most famous wine has been produced there for centuries. Champagne is home to beautiful cities such as Troyes, with its cathedral and half-timbered houses, Epernay and its famous "Avenue de Champagne," and Reims, at the foot of the hill that bears its name, the Montagne de Reims.
Reims, from the Gauls to Clovis: a thousand-year history
In Reims Cathedral Photo by riyas.net/Shutterstock
A city that dates back to the dawn of time as it was the capital of the Gallic tribe of the Remi. The Gallo-Romans built Durocortorum there. It appears on the Peuttinger Map, one of the oldest maps in the world. Along with the Cryptoporticus and its covered gallery to shelter the merchants of the Roman forum, the Mars Gate remains the most beautiful testimony to this era, dating from the 3rd century and measuring 33 meters long. It was already there when Clovis came to the city to be baptized by Saint Remigius on December 25, 498. Clovis and quite a few other people, in fact, since he was baptized with his warriors, which meant a lot of people to immerse in the water (which must have been a strange color at the end of the ceremony, as the men were not known for their cleanliness). It was on this occasion that Remi, Bishop of Reims, uttered the famous words, "Bow down, proud Sicambrian, worship what you have burned and burn what you have worshipped." Ah, they certainly have a way with words in Reims.
See also: The kings of France: dynasties and history
Reims Cathedral: architecture, kings of France, and symbols
Reims Cathedral Photo by monticello/Shutterstock
It was in the year 401 that built the first cathedral on the site of the Gallo-Roman baths. It was 55 meters long and 20 meters wide. It was in very poor condition at the time of the first coronation of a French king, Louis the Pious, in the year 816, by Pope Stephen IV. It was therefore replaced in 862 by a new cathedral, which stood for four centuries before burning down in 1210. On May 6, 1211, the Archbishop of Reims, Albéric de Humbert, laid the first stone of the cathedral we know today. It would take centuries to complete.
The cathedral is particularly regal due to its façade, which features a gallery of kings, like Notre Dame de Paris, with 56 statues nearly 5 meters high, among which we recognize Clovis, Clotilde, his wife, a Christian and the reason for his baptism, and Rémi, who baptized the king of the Franks. The statuary is, in fact, the cathedral's trademark. There are magnificent statues on the north portal, for example, including the Queen of Sheba, King Solomon, and the famous statue of the Smiling Angel.
The famous Smiling Angel of Reims Cathedral Photo by Joaquin Ossorio Castillo/shutterstock/Shutterstock
Most kings of France were crowned here, some during construction, as was the case for Saint Louis in 1226, when the cathedral had barely begun. The first Capetian to be crowned in Reims was Henry I in 1027, and the last was King Charles X in the 19th century.
The martyred cathedral of 1914: reborn thanks to the French and Americans
The cathedral bombed by the Germans in 1914
This is how it was described in 1914, when, like Reims, it was bombed. Struck by 288 shells that caused fires, one of which decapitated the Smiling Angel, the cathedral was restored in 1919 with the help of American patrons, including the famous Rockefeller family. It took 100 years to completely restore it. Nearby, the Palais du Tau, the residence of the archbishops, was burned down. It would not be restored until nearly 40 years later, after World War II. Second World War. The entire area around Reims was badly damaged and part of the city center had to be rebuilt.
Visiting Reims: monuments, museums, Art Deco, and walks
The destruction of 1914 and the reconstruction in the 1920s provided an opportunity to rebuild Reims in the style of the time, namely Art Deco. You will find these in the city center. Reims' attractions include, for example, the Palais du Tau and its museum, which houses objects used in the coronation of French kings. Also worth seeing are the Basilica of Saint Remi, which is almost as large as the cathedral and features magnificent statues, and the Saint Remi Museum, located right next door, with its cloister and monumental staircase. Reims is also home to the astonishing "Villa Demoiselle," built by the family that owned the Maison Pommery, in a style that blends Art Nouveau and Art Deco. Not far away is the Grand Parc Public, perfect for a short stroll.
Reims: the city center Photo by Colomban on Unsplash
If you enjoy discovering new things, you will want to visit the Automobile Reims Champagne museum, which displays more than 230 vehicles, the oldest of which dates back to 1908. If you have children, or if you are young at heart, the museum also has miniatures and toy cars. The planetarium is also very original, with its amazing dome that displays a starry sky.
Champagne and local delicacies: Reims for food lovers
Reims is, of course, famous for champagne, with major champagne houses located there, showcasing their products and often offering tours with tastings. To give you an idea, the cheapest tour costs €26. You can sometimes visit the chalk cellars, which are caves dug into the white rock where bottles or barrels of champagne are stored.
Champagne! You're in Reims Photo by barmalini/Shutterstock
Reims is also known as the city of pink biscuits, which have been made since the 17th century and are notable for their color, obtained using carmine, a natural dye added to eggs, sugar, and flour. They are delicious with a glass of champagne. They can be purchased at Maison Fossier, which offers a variety of flavors, including chocolate, hazelnut, and strawberry. champagne. They can be purchased at Maison Fossier, which offers mini versions and even powdered versions. You can also try Reims croquignoles, a type of meringue made with egg whites, flour, and sugar.
Pink biscuits from Reims / Photo by barmalini/Shutterstock
Reims: the must-see attractions you won't want to miss
Reims is a city that reveals itself in layers of history, much like patiently uncovering a treasure buried beneath the memory of time. At every street corner, you come across a fragment of memory, a trace of the coronation of kings, a medieval stone, an Art Deco motif, or a 19th-century bourgeois facade. Visits can flow smoothly from one to the next, as everything seems accessible, pleasant, and coherent.
The astonishing Mars door / Photo selected by Monsieur de France:lkonya@optusnet.co via depositphotos
Notre-Dame Cathedral in Reims is the beating heart of the city. Majestic and harmonious, it has dominated Reims for 800 years. Visitors can admire its statues, the gallery of kings, the Smiling Angel, the ancient stained glass windows, and those by Marc Chagall. It is one of the most important monuments in France.
The Palais du Tau, located right next door, is a major site for the coronation of French kings. Here, you can discover historical objects used during royal ceremonies.
The Basilica of Saint Remi is a jewel of tranquility and spiritual grandeur. It houses the tomb of the bishop who baptized Clovis, the first Christian king.
The Art Deco city center of Reims is one of the most beautiful in France. The reconstruction of the 1920s left behind some incredible facades.
The Porte Mars and the Roman cryptoporticus bear witness to ancient Reims. The monumental Porte Mars dates from the 3rd century and impresses with its power.
The Villa Demoiselle, museums, and cultural heritage complete the visit, with an elegant and lively atmosphere.
The Palace of Tau in Reims / Photo selected by Monsieur de France: coboflupi via depositphotos
Visiting Reims in one day — the ideal itinerary
9:30 a.m. — Notre Dame Cathedral Take time to admire the façade and step inside one of Europe's largest Gothic cathedrals.
10:45 a.m. — Palais du Tau Here, you can follow the history of the coronation of kings, with exclusive access to authentic royal artifacts.
12:00 p.m. — Lunch in the city center Historic brasserie, small Reims restaurant, or terrace depending on the season. Lunch with a glass of champagne is a must in Reims.
1:30 p.m. — Saint-Remi Basilica A peaceful, solemn place with an atmosphere of profound serenity.
2:30 p.m. — Visit to a champagne house With or without chalk cellars. It's a magical moment, descending underground into cellars dug into the chalk.
4:30 p.m. — Art Deco Walk
We explore the city center, a veritable open-air museum of 1920s architecture.
5:30 p.m. — Pink biscuit & champagne
A delicious ritual.
The pink biscuit is Reims' iconic specialty.
7:30 p.m. — dinner in town
We're not in France for nothing. You'll find a good place to stay.
Reims and a romantic getaway
Champagne! You're in Reims Photo by RossHelen/shutterstock/Shutterstock
Reims is the perfect city for a weekend getaway for two, with its elegant atmosphere, quiet streets, and the timeless charm of the cathedral illuminated at night. A glass of champagne on a terrace in Reims is already a declaration of love. A visit to a wine cellar as a couple, in the underground chalk cellars, has something magical about it: you go underground, walk side by side in the cool galleries, and finish with a tasting that is both intimate and festive. The city center, especially around Saint-Remi and the pedestrian district, is perfect for leisurely strolls, hand in hand, far from the noise of the big cities. And then there is the simple pleasure of sharing local delicacies, such as the delicate, crumbly pink biscuit. To end the day, enjoy dinner in a Reims brasserie or a cozy restaurant, and if possible, spend the night in an elegant hotel with a view over the city rooftops.
Reims is just as beautiful at night / Photo selected by Monsieur de France: depositphotos
Visit the champagne cellars in Reims
Exploring the champagne cellars in Reims is an unforgettable experience. The chalk cellars, dug into the white chalk, give the impression of entering a secret sanctuary. In these underground cathedrals, millions of bottles rest in silence and coolness.
Several major fashion houses are opening their doors:
Pommery
Monumental chalk cellars decorated with contemporary art.
Taittinger
Ancient galleries, remnants of a medieval abbey.
Mumm
An educational tour focused on winemaking.
Veuve Clicquot, Ruinart, Lanson, Henriot... Each has its own history, traditions, and style.
During the tours: you discover the champagne-making process, learn how the bottles age, how they are turned, disgorged, and blended, and of course... you finish with a tasting.
It's always amazing to visit the cellars / Photo chosen by Monsieur de France: foto-pixel.web.de via depositphotos
Around Reims
Reims is not isolated: it lies at the heart of Champagne. The Montagne de Reims watches over the city with its deep forests. At Faux de Verzy, you can discover the twisted beech trees, strange and unique trees.
25 km away, Épernay, the official capital of champagne, boasts its Avenue de Champagne, arguably one of the most prestigious places in France.
In Troyes, further south, half-timbered houses immerse visitors in a medieval town that has remained intact.
This is a peaceful, welcoming country, characterized by its lifestyle and wine culture.
Practical information for visiting Reims and Champagne
By road by train
Reims is very easy to reach from Paris: it takes 1 hour and 45 minutes by car via the A4 highway or the N4, and only 47 minutes by high-speed train from Gare de l'Est station. From Roissy Charles-de-Gaulle Airport, the TGV takes 53 minutes to reach Reims, making the city ideal for a day trip or weekend getaway.
Websites
To find out everything about tourism in Reims, click here.
To visit Champagne, click here
To visit the Grand-Est , click here.
FAQ about REIMS
What are the must-see attractions in Reims?
Notre Dame Cathedral, the Palais du Tau, the Basilica of Saint Remi, and the Art Deco city center.
Why is Reims Cathedral so important?
It is the traditional site of the coronation of French kings and one of Europe's greatest Gothic treasures.
How do I get to Reims from Paris?
By high-speed train from Gare de l'Est station (47 min) or via the A4 highway (approx. 1 hr 45 min).
Can you visit the champagne cellars in Reims?
Yes, several wineries offer tours and tastings, sometimes including visits to the chalk cellars.
What typical culinary specialty should you try in Reims?
The pink biscuit from Reims, often enjoyed with champagne.
Is the city of Reims suitable for a stay with children?
Yes, especially the automobile museum and the planetarium.
Alcohol abuse is dangerous for your health. Please drink responsibly.
