Reims, explained

For over a thousand years Reims was the coronation city of the French monarchy - twenty-five kings crowned in its cathedral, starting with Clovis I, baptized here by Saint Remi in 496 AD. That deep royal history sits side by side with a working, unpretentious city of about 180,000 people that still makes, drinks, and sells more champagne than anywhere else on earth.

The city wears its history openly. The Cathédrale Notre-Dame de Reims, the Palais du Tau, and the former Abbey of Saint-Remi form a UNESCO World Heritage ensemble, and the Roman Porte Mars still stands where it was built in the 3rd century. Below the streets, some 250 km of chalk cellars - the crayères - hold millions of bottles of champagne aging in the dark, part of a second UNESCO listing that covers the Champagne hillsides, houses, and cellars.

What to see

Start at the Cathédrale Notre-Dame de Reims (Place du Cardinal-Luçon): the west facade carries the Gallery of Kings and one of the finest sculptural programs in Europe - look for the Smiling Angel - while inside, stained glass by Marc Chagall fills the apse chapels. Entry is free; guided tower visits run in season.

Beside it, the Palais du Tau was the archbishops' palace where coronation banquets were held; today it is the museum of the cathedral's works. The Basilique Saint-Remi (Place Saint-Remi) holds the relics of Saint Remi - mostly Romanesque, quieter than the cathedral and, in some ways, more atmospheric.

For the 20th century: the Musée de la Reddition (12 Rue Franklin Roosevelt) preserves the map room where Germany's unconditional surrender was signed on 7 May 1945, exactly as it was that morning. And the Porte Mars (Place de la République) is a 3rd-century Roman triumphal arch you can walk right up to - free, always open. The full guide page lists all nine verified sights with addresses.

Champagne tasting

This is the point of coming. The big houses - Veuve Clicquot (1 Place des Droits de l'Homme), Taittinger (9 Place Saint-Nicaise), Pommery (5 Place du Général Gouraud) - open their crayères to visitors, and the visit ends with a tasting. Book days ahead; the English-language slots sell out first, especially on weekends.

Taittinger's tours descend into Gallo-Roman chalk pits once used by the monks of Saint-Nicaise Abbey; Pommery pairs its vast cellars with contemporary art installations and a lively tasting room. If you only do one house, either is a fine pick.

Food

Eat the local signatures: biscuits roses de Reims - the pink biscuits traditionally dunked in champagne (Maison Fossier has made them since 1756); jambon de Reims, ham in a champagne-infused jelly and crumb crust; and nonnette, a soft gingerbread-style cake glazed with orange marmalade. Most houses recommend their brut with local cheese or the pink biscuits - tasting rooms pour vintages you won't find at home.

Getting there

The TGV from Paris Gare de l'Est reaches Reims in about 45 minutes, with frequent departures; there are also direct TGVs to Charles de Gaulle Airport and onward to Lille and Strasbourg. By car, the A4 puts Paris about 1h30 away. The center is compact and flat - walk from the cathedral to most champagne houses in 20 to 30 minutes; the CITURA network's two tram lines and buses cover the rest.

When to come

Reims works year-round - the cellars are a constant cool temperature whatever the weather above. If you're driving, watch for the vendange (harvest) season in September: villages south of Reims fill up and cellars run special events. Many smaller shops close on Sundays; the big champagne houses and the cathedral stay open.

Day trips

Épernay, the other champagne capital, is about 30 minutes south by regional train and worth pairing with a Reims stay. Paris is 130 km away - an easy reverse day trip if you're based in Reims.

Events

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The full set of Reims guides is being built by the town crew — family by family, all from venues researched in October 2026. Start with the guides below and check back as more go live:

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