landmark
Palais du Tau
Former palace of the archbishop housing royal coronation treasures and original cathedral statues. Check status before visiting.
Chiedi a ParleyFrancia
Reims
Gothic grandeur, deep chalk cellars, and fast trains.
introduction
Overview
Reims is a compact city of limestone facades, art deco rebuilt streets, and subterranean chalk quarries. You can walk across the central core in twenty minutes, but the real scale lies underground in miles of medieval cellars. Trains from Paris arrive in 45 minutes, making it remarkably accessible for a short visit.
TGV arrival strategy
Gare de Reims lands you in the city center. Gare de Champagne-Ardenne TGV sits 5 km south in Bézannes, requiring a 10-minute tram ride on Line B to reach central hotels.
UNESCO World Heritage site
Notre-Dame Cathedral, the Palace of Tau, and the former Abbey of Saint-Remi share a single UNESCO designation granted in 1991 for their medieval royal history.
Cellar booking rule
Major Champagne houses strictly require advance reservations online. Spontaneous walk-ins at Veuve Clicquot or Taittinger almost always end in refusal at the gate.
Reims
Chabe01 · CC BY-SA 4.0
Saint-Remi — Quiet residential streets surrounding the ancient basilica and major champagne houses.
Rolf Kranz · CC BY-SA 4.0
Boulingrin — A lively food district centered on the 1920s covered market hall and wine bars.
Ludvig14 · CC BY-SA 4.0
Clairmarais — Modern business quarter located directly behind the central railway station.
Daiima · CC0
Traditional Biscuits Roses de Reims, designed for dipping into Champagne.
Cherry · CC BY-SA 3.0highlights
Highlights
landmark
Basilique Saint-Remi
An 11th-century abbey church quieter than the cathedral, housing Saint Remi's tomb. Free entry and magnificent Romanesque nave.
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landmark
Musée de la Reddition
The actual schoolroom headquarters where General Eisenhower accepted Germany's unconditional surrender on May 7, 1945.
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landmark
Porte de Mars
The widest surviving Roman arch in the world, built in the 3rd century. Located in an open public park.
Chiedi a Parleyattractions
On the map
areas
Where life happens
Saint-Remi
Quiet residential streets surrounding the ancient basilica and major champagne houses.
Cellar toursPeacefulHistory
CompromessoFifteen-minute walk to central shopping streets and rail station.
Nei dintorniSaint-Remi Basilica, Veuve Clicquot, Taittinger
Chiedi a ParleyBoulingrin
A lively food district centered on the 1920s covered market hall and wine bars.
FoodiesWine barsLocal markets
CompromessoQuieter on days when the covered market is closed.
Nei dintorniHalles du Boulingrin, Porte de Mars
Chiedi a ParleyClairmarais
Modern business quarter located directly behind the central railway station.
Transit accessModern hotelsBusiness
CompromessoLacks the historic architecture found south of the tracks.
Nei dintorniGare de Reims, Musée de la Reddition
Chiedi a ParleyCentre-Ville
Pedestrianized plazas, art deco streetscapes, and constant foot traffic near the cathedral.
SightseeingShoppingDining
CompromessoHigher room rates and street noise along Place Drouet-d'Erlon.
Nei dintorniNotre-Dame Cathedral, Place Royale, Gare de Reims
Chiedi a Parleyfood
Biscuits, mustard, and cellar tastings
Reims dining orbits around two pillars: Champagne pairings and classical regional charcuterie. The city's signature sweet is the Biscuit Rose de Reims, a double-baked pink biscuit invented in 1690 that stays firm when dunked in sparkling wine.
Traditional Biscuits Roses de Reims, designed for dipping into Champagne.
Cherry · CC BY-SA 3.0- Market days in Boulingrin
Halles du Boulingrin operates Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday mornings for local cheeses and produce.
- Champagne by the glass
Wine bars along Rue de Tambour offer tastings from small grower-producers at far lower prices than major houses.
history
A short history
Founded by the Gauls, Durocortorum became a major Roman provincial capital. In 496 AD, Saint Remi baptized Clovis, King of the Franks, establishing Reims as the coronation site for French monarchy for nearly a millennium.
- 496 AD
Baptism of Clovis
Saint Remi baptizes Clovis, setting the precedent for French royal coronations in Reims.
- 1211
Cathedral Construction Begins
Work starts on the High Gothic cathedral after a fire destroyed the previous structure.
- 1914–1918
First World War Destruction
Heavy artillery shelling destroys over 60 percent of the city, prompting an art deco rebuild.
- 1945
German Surrender
General Alfred Jodl signs Germany's unconditional surrender at Eisenhower's Reims headquarters.
where to stay
Where to stay
Choose your location based on transit priorities and cellar visits. Centre-Ville puts you steps from restaurants and sight-seeing. Saint-Remi suits travellers focusing on major Champagne house tours.
- Champagne enthusiastsSaint-Remi — Immediate access to chalk cellars of Veuve Clicquot, Taittinger, and Ruinart.
- Food loversBoulingrin — Surrounded by modern bistros, food stalls, and independent wine bars.
- Early train catchersClairmarais — Directly behind Gare de Reims with fast access to TGV connections.
Live rates, matched to the areas above.
Domaine les Crayères
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La Caserne Chanzy Hotel & Spa, Autograph Collection
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Hyatt Centric Reims
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Best Western Premier Hotel de la Paix
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Grand Hôtel Des Templiers, Piscine & Spa
Chiedi a Parleytransport
Getting around
Central Reims is flat and easily navigated on foot. Grand Reims Mobilités operates two tram lines (A and B) and a city bus network for journeys south to the Saint-Remi district or to the outer TGV hub.
Da Gare de Reims / Gare de Champagne-Ardenne TGV
- Train45 min from Paris Gare de l'Est€20–55
TGV InOui directly to Gare de Reims in the city center.
- Tram10 min from Champagne-Ardenne TGV€1.70
Line B connects the outer TGV station to Gare de Reims and central stops.
- Taxi15 min from Champagne-Ardenne TGV€20–30
Rank located directly outside the station terminal.
A single Citura ticket costs €1.70 and remains valid for one hour across trams and buses.
You can tap a bank card on tram sensors to buy single rides directly.
Promenade des Hautes Promenades forms a pedestrian parkway from the station to Porte de Mars.
Tram Line A and B run until approximately midnight on weekends.
cost
What things cost
Reims pricing reflects its proximity to Paris and high-end wine tourism. While street dining is fair, major cellar tours carry premium pricing.
- Cellar tour & tasting: €30–90
Price varies by champagne house and the number of prestige cuvées tasted.
- Glass of Champagne in a bar: €8–15
Independent bars offer non-vintage glasses cheaper than major house visitor centers.
- Three-course bistro lunch: €22–35
Midday set menus (formule) around Boulingrin give strong value.
- Single Citura transit ticket: €1.70
Valid for 60 minutes with transfers allowed.
seasonality
When to go
MAR – MAY
Mild days and smaller cellar groups. Vines emerge from winter dormant phase.
Affollamento
Heat
JUN – AUG
Warmest weather and heavy visitor numbers. Pre-booking cellar visits is mandatory.
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Heat
SEP – OCT
Grape harvest season (Vendange). High vineyard activity, though some cellars restrict visits.
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NOV – FEB
Cold, quiet season. Christmas market fills Place Drouet-d'Erlon in December.
Affollamento
Heat
practicalities
Good to know
- Chalk cellar temperatures
Underground quarries maintain a constant 10–12°C year-round. Bring a jacket even in midsummer.
- Steep cellar staircases
Historic houses like Ruinart or Taittinger involve climbing up to 150 stairs without elevator access.
- Cathedral light shows
The Regalia light projection runs on summer evenings on the cathedral facade for free.
- Reims City Pass
Includes public transit, cathedral tower access, and discounts on select house tours.
- Sunday restaurant closures
Many family-run bistros close on Sunday evenings and Mondays. Plan meals ahead.