Reims Travel Guide
City Famous for its Champagne production and cathedrals
Reims reels around its cathedral where French kings were crowned, cellars offering Champagne house tastings, Roman ruins and a compact city center of brasseries and wartime history museums.
Why Visit Reims? #
Champagne country brings travelers to Reims for world-class cellars, monumental history and grand Gothic architecture. Visitors tour celebrated maisons like Veuve Clicquot and Taittinger, and Notre-Dame de Reims cathedral showcases coronation history with soaring stained glass. Champagne-paired cuisine and local specialties such as the pink biscuit of Reims complement vineyard day trips, making the city an elegant base for exploring Grand Est wine culture.
Who's Reims For?
Reims is a culinary stop for Champagne-pairing meals and bistronomy: tasting menus near Place Drouet d’Erlon and local brasseries focus on regional produce. Expect mid- to high-range pricing at major maisons like Veuve Clicquot and small plates in bistros.
Maison visits and private tastings at top Champagne houses (Taittinger, Ruinart) plus upscale hôtels particuliers and Michelin-starred dining make Reims a luxury weekend. High-end experiences are concentrated near the cathedral and Avenue de Champagne in Épernay.
Strolling the cathedral, candlelit tastings and château picnics in the Marne valley create romantic days. Short drives to vineyard viewpoints and dinner in the pedestrian centre suit special-occasion trips.
Montagne de Reims Regional Park offers vineyard walks, forest trails and scenic drives through pinot noir slopes. Day trips along the Marne and smaller village trails provide quiet outdoor escapes.
Top Things to Do in Reims
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- Cathédrale Notre-Dame de Reims - Gothic cathedral where French kings were crowned, magnificent stained glass and sculptural program.
- Basilique Saint-Remi - Romanesque-Gothic basilica housing Saint Remi's relics and a peaceful medieval crypt.
- Palais du Tau - Former archbishop's palace with coronation treasures and art tied to the cathedral.
- Maison Veuve Clicquot - Historic champagne house offering cellar tours and tastings beneath chalk cellars.
- Porte de Mars - Massive Roman triumphal arch fragment, a tangible link to ancient Reims.
- Musée de la Reddition - Small museum in the German surrender building showcasing World War II documents and uniforms.
- Villa Demoiselle - Early 20th-century Art Nouveau mansion recently restored, offering elegant interiors and tours.
- Cryptoportique gallo-romain - Network of underground Roman galleries beneath the city visible through guided archaeological displays.
- Les Halles du Boulingrin - Art Deco covered market where locals shop for produce, charcuterie, and pastries.
- Musée Automobile Reims-Champagne - Extensive vintage car collection housed in an elegant building outside central Reims.
- Épernay - Champagne capital with Avenue de Champagne and major houses such as Moët et Chandon.
- Hautvillers - Quaint village where Dom Pérignon worked; panoramic vineyard overlooks and intimate champagne cellars.
- Parc naturel régional de la Montagne de Reims - Rolling vineyards, beech forests, and viewpoints; ideal for hikes and vineyard drives.
- Châlons-en-Champagne - Historic town with canals, a peaceful cathedral, and atmospheric old-town streets.
- Verdun - WWI battlefields, memorials, and the Douaumont Ossuary reachable by train or car.
Where to Go in Reims #
Cathédrale Quarter
This is where Reims’s history meets daily life: the cathedral, museums and a compact web of streets filled with cafés and champagne shops. It’s lively during the day and the obvious base for sightseeing, especially if you want to wander from house to house tasting Champagne.
Top Spots
- Cathédrale Notre‑Dame de Reims - the city’s stunning Gothic cathedral.
- Palais du Tau - former archbishop’s palace and museum beside the cathedral.
- Place du Cardinal Luçon - the cathedral forecourt and cafés.
Champagne Houses
Reims’s Champagne quarter is where major maisons welcome visitors for cellar tours and tastings. Expect elegant tasting rooms, underground cellars and the chance to learn Champagne-making. It’s best for wine lovers and anyone planning winery visits rather than those who want a bohemian nightlife scene.
Top Spots
- Champagne Pommery - grand cellars and contemporary art in its domaine.
- Taittinger (visitor centre) - guided tours and tastings.
- Veuve Clicquot (visitor experiences) - historic cellar visits and tastings.
Saint‑Remi & Parc
A short walk from the centre, Saint‑Remi mixes sacred architecture and leafy parks. The basilica and its museum are quieter alternatives to the cathedral area and pair well with a relaxed stroll through the nearby park. It suits history buffs and families who prefer space to crowds.
Top Spots
- Basilique Saint‑Remi - an important Romanesque basilica with a museum.
- Musée Saint‑Remi - archaeology and regional heritage.
- Parc de la Patte d’Oie - green space near the basilica.
Place Drouet d'Erlon
This square is Reims’s social centre after the cathedral: dozens of terraces, bakeries and restaurants line the space and it livens up as evening falls. It’s the best spot for dinner or a pre-theatre drink and remains a favourite with locals who enjoy good food and straightforward conviviality.
Top Spots
- Place Drouet d’Erlon - the square of bars and restaurants, lively in the evenings.
- Restaurants and pâtisseries - a concentration of eateries popular with locals and visitors.
- Close links to tram stops - easy for getting around town.
Plan Your Visit to Reims #
Best Time to Visit Reims #
Late spring and early autumn (May-June, September-October) are the best times to visit Reims, when temperatures are mild, vineyards are green and champagne cellars hum with tastings. Summers can be warm and crowded, while winters are chilly and quieter, better for museums and lower prices.
Best Time to Visit Reims #
Reims's climate is classified as Oceanic - Oceanic climate with mild summers (peaking in July) and cold winters (coldest in January). Temperatures range from 0°C to 25°C. Moderate rainfall (616 mm/year), distributed fairly evenly throughout the year.
January
January is the coolest month with highs of 6°C and lows of 0°C. Moderate rainfall (44 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
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February
February is cold with highs of 7°C and lows of 0°C. Moderate rainfall (41 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
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March
March is cold with highs of 11°C and lows of 2°C. Moderate rainfall (50 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
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April
April is cold with highs of 14°C and lows of 4°C. Moderate rainfall (44 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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May
May is cool with highs of 19°C and lows of 8°C. The wettest month with 61 mm of rain and mostly overcast skies.
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June
June is cool with highs of 23°C and lows of 11°C. Moderate rainfall (59 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
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July
July is the warmest month with highs of 25°C and lows of 13°C. Moderate rainfall (57 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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August
August is mild with highs of 25°C and lows of 12°C. Moderate rainfall (50 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
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September
September is cool with highs of 20°C and lows of 10°C. Moderate rainfall (52 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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October
October is cool with highs of 15°C and lows of 7°C. Moderate rainfall (52 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
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November
November is cold with highs of 10°C and lows of 3°C. Moderate rainfall (52 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
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December
December is cold with highs of 7°C and lows of 1°C. Moderate rainfall (54 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
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How to Get to Reims
Reims is easiest to reach by train from Paris - regular SNCF TGV/TER services call at Gare de Reims and the nearby Champagne‑Ardenne TGV station in Bezannes. The nearest major international airport is Paris Charles de Gaulle (CDG); Reims also has a small regional airport (Reims-Prunay) with limited services.
Paris Charles de Gaulle (CDG): From CDG you can reach Reims by train from the Aéroport Charles de Gaulle 2 TGV station (direct TGV/TER services to Champagne-Ardenne TGV or Gare de Reims). Typical journey times are ~40-60 minutes; advance TGV fares from Paris/CDG are often in the €15-€40 range. Coaches (BlaBlaBus/FlixBus) also run CDG↔Reims taking ~90-120 minutes with fares from about €6-€20; taxis or private transfer take ~45-70 minutes and cost roughly €90-€120.
Reims - Prunay / Reims Champagne (RHE): This small regional airport handles limited and seasonal services. If you arrive here, expect a short taxi ride into central Reims of about 15-25 minutes costing roughly €25-€45; there are no frequent scheduled shuttle trains, so plan for a taxi or pre-booked transfer.
Train: Reims is served by Gare de Reims (in the city centre) and Champagne-Ardenne TGV (Bezannes) on the LGV Est. High-speed and regional SNCF services link Paris Gare de l’Est to Reims in about 45 minutes; fares typically range from €15-€40 depending on how far in advance you book. If you arrive at Champagne-Ardenne TGV, local TER trains or short buses connect to Gare de Reims in ~10-15 minutes.
Bus: Long-distance coach operators (FlixBus/BlaBlaCar Bus) run frequent services to Reims from Paris and other French cities - journeys are typically 1.5-2 hours from Paris with fares from about €5-€20. Within the metro area, the Citura bus network covers the city and suburbs; single tickets and day passes are sold on-board, at kiosks and via the local app.
How to Get Around Reims
Reims is compact and best explored on foot for central sightseeing, with SNCF trains the quickest option for getting to and from Paris or for regional day trips. Use local Citura buses or a rental car if you plan multiple winery visits outside the city; taxis and coaches fill the gaps where trains are infrequent.
- SNCF (TGV & TER) (€15-€40) - TGVs and regional TER trains are the most convenient option for arriving and making day trips (Paris ~45 minutes). Gare de Reims is in the city centre; Champagne‑Ardenne TGV (Bezannes) is south of town and linked by short local services. Book SNCF tickets in advance for the best fares and expect €15-€40 for typical Paris-Reims journeys.
- Citura buses (local) (€1.60-€4.10) - The city and suburbs are served by the Citura bus network - useful for reaching attractions outside the pedestrian core and the Champagne houses farther out. Tickets can be bought on board, at vending machines or via the operator app; services are frequent on main corridors but check timetables evenings/weekends. Single fares are inexpensive and day passes are available for multiple hops.
- Intercity coaches (€5-€20) - FlixBus and BlaBlaCar Bus provide low-cost links to Paris, Lille and other cities; coaches are slower than TGVs but often much cheaper. Buses stop at the Reims coach hub or near the train station - typical Paris journey time is 90-120 minutes, with fares commonly €5-€20 if booked early.
- Taxi & Rideshare (€8-€120) - Taxis and app-based rides are plentiful at Gare de Reims and Champagne‑Ardenne TGV; expect straightforward door‑to‑door service for short trips in town. Short journeys in the centre are usually €8-€20; airport transfers (CDG↔Reims) are substantially more (roughly €90-€120). In peak hours fares can rise and wait times increase.
- Car rental (€35-€75/day) - Renting a car is handy for exploring the Champagne vineyards and smaller villages around Reims. Several international and local agencies operate at the train station and nearby; prices vary seasonally but expect roughly €35-€75/day. Note that parking in the historic centre can be limited and many streets are restricted to buses/pedestrians.
- Walking - The city centre of Reims is compact and very walkable - most major sights (Cathedral, Palais du Tau, main champagne houses) are within short walking distance of Gare de Reims. Walking is usually the fastest way to move between attractions in the heart of town and lets you enjoy the architecture and cafés at a relaxed pace.
Where to Stay in Reims #
- ibis Reims Centre Gare - Simple, near the train station.
- MEININGER Hotel Reims - Budget chain, shared rooms available.
- Mercure Reims Centre Cathedrale - Close to cathedral and shops.
- Novotel Suites Reims Centre - Spacious rooms, good for families.
- Domaine Les Crayères (Reims) - Fine dining, large grounds.
- Best Western Premier Hôtel de la Paix - Upscale, near TGV station.
- Mercure Reims Centre Cathedrale - Walkable to cathedral and museums.
- Domaine Les Crayères (Reims) - Classic Champagne-region experience.
- Novotel Suites Reims Centre - Family suites, flexible bedding.
- Best Western Premier Hôtel de la Paix - Spacious rooms, central location.
- Mercure Reims Centre Cathedrale - Good Wi‑Fi, business facilities.
- Domaine Les Crayères (Reims) - Quiet grounds for focused work.
Where to Eat in Reims #
Reims is Champagne country at its most approachable: splurge at a house like L’Assiette Champenoise or Les Crayères for tasting menus, but spend equal time on Place Drouet d’Erlon and the Marché du Boulingrin for market produce, brasseries and simple regional plates. Classic Champagne-region cooking features freshwater fish, charcuterie and vegetable-driven sides that pair perfectly with local bubbles. Expect a mix of elegant dining rooms and busy terrace cafés where locals linger over a bottle.
- L'Assiette Champenoise (Tinqueux) - High-end tasting menus celebrating Champagne flavours.
- Brasserie Excelsior - Classic Reims brasserie dishes and local wines.
- Marché du Boulingrin - Morning market stalls with Champagne-region produce.
- Cafés on Place Drouet d'Erlon - Varied international bistros and terrace dining.
- Middle Eastern cafés - Casual falafel and mezzes near the city centre.
- Italian trattorias - Reliable pasta and pizza around the pedestrian streets.
- Cafés on Place Drouet d'Erlon - Vegetarian salads, tartines and quiches.
- Local market stalls - Seasonal vegetables and prepared veg dishes.
- Contemporary bistros - Modern tasting menus often include vegetarian options.
Breakdown of cuisine types found across Reims's restaurants and food venues, based on OpenStreetMap data.
Nightlife in Reims #
Reims is best known for Champagne-nightlife here mixes classy champagne bars and lively cafés around the city centre. Place Drouet d’Erlon is the main after-dark hub, packed with bistros and bars through the evening. Most places are relaxed but weekend crowds mean reservations help; many bars close around 1-2am. If you love tasting rooms and late dinners, plan to hop between tasting bars and restaurants.
Best Bets
- Place Drouet d'Erlon - Main square lined with bars, cafés and late-night restaurants.
- Champagne bars & tasting rooms - Numerous houses and independent bars for tastings and bubbles.
- Bars & wine bars in central Reims - Small wine bars for relaxed evenings and local charcuterie.
- Streets around the cathedral - Cluster of cafés and late-night spots popular with locals.
- Local cocktail bars - Cocktail-focused venues near the city centre - check openings.
- Late-night restaurants - Many restaurants stay open late for dinners and champagnes.
Shopping in Reims #
Reims mixes Champagne culture with a compact shopping core - think elegant department stores, specialist wine boutiques and a lively covered market. The Marché du Boulingrin is the iconic covered market for fresh produce, Champagne and regional specialties; Rue de Vesle and Rue Chanzy are the main shopping streets with a blend of independent shops and national chains. For bottles and souvenirs, head to specialist maisons and boutiques near Place Drouet d’Erlon. Expect fixed prices in most shops; markets are the place to barter a little on non-food items.
Best Bets
- Marché du Boulingrin - Historic covered market for Champagne, charcuterie and produce.
- Rue de Vesle - Main shopping artery with boutiques and cafés.
- Galeries Lafayette Reims - Department store with fashion, beauty and regional gifts.
- Place Drouet d'Erlon area - Restaurants and wine shops - handy for Champagne boutiques.
- Rue Chanzy - Good for independent shops and everyday shopping needs.
- Champagne houses & wine boutiques - Specialist shops selling labelled bottles and tasting advice.
