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Reims is a remarkable city with a special feel, big enough to keep you busy but with plenty of spaces to sit, relax, and soak in the feel of this beautiful French metropolitan spot. There are some unmissable things to do in Reims, such as the Cathedral and plenty of champagne tours. And there are even more little finds waiting to be discovered.
Let’s start with a few facts. Reims, sometimes spelled Rheims in English, is France’s 12th most populous city, and it sits 129 km northeast of Paris on the Vesle River. Reims is also situated on the northern edge of the champagne wine region, which is why you’ll see so many champagne tours. It is also the traditional site of coronation, which is why you might have heard it called La Cite des Sacres.
Whether you like fine dining eateries, including four Michelin-starred restaurants, Roman remains, or awe-inspiring architecture, Reims has everything you could ask for. Whether you want to spend a few days here or take a super-easy day trip from Paris by train, it is truly a special place to visit. So, let’s explore the best things to do in Reims.
Cathedrale Notre Dame
The best way to appreciate the Cathedral’s full Gothic glory is to walk up the bustling but ordinary rue Libergier. You’d be forgiven if you mistake Reims Cathedral for the actual Notre Dame in Paris! It is one of the Unesco World Heritage Sites in Reims and has hosted 25 king coronations between 1223 and 1825. Stepping into the cathedral, you can immediately feel how vibrant the place is in historical importance.
If you feel fit enough, consider climbing the 250 steps up the cathedral tower for a one-hour tour and some of the best views over the city. You can book this in the Reims Tourist Office opposite the cathedral on the square. In that same square, you can also see the somewhat eerie Joan of Arc statue, staring expressionless at the cathedral. Joan of Arc stood alongside Charles VII during his coronation in 1429, and she is referred to a lot in the city.
One of the least publicized parts of what the cathedral offers was one of my favorite things to do in Reims, and this was the Reve de Couleurs light show. Visit at nightfall for the magical performance that transforms the front of the cathedral into a shimmering jewel. It lasts 25 minutes and is usually shown at 6 pm and 9 pm, although times can change depending on the day.
Palais du Tau
Here is another Unesco Site next door to the cathedral, which is the former residence of previous archbishops. It was also where all the French princes stayed before their coronations, and the gothic style Salle de Tau is where they hosted extravagant banquets afterward. It is now a museum displaying some of the city’s most remarkable treasures.
Look for the 9th-century talisman of Charlemagne and St Remi’s golden, jewel-encrusted Coronation Chalice dating back to the 12th century. The richly colored images of the relics seen online don’t do golden treasure justice. You have to see them with your own eyes to appreciate their rich, golden hue.
And if you want to see the glass vial containing the anointing oil used in most of the King’s coronations, look for the Holy Ampulla. Legend has it that it was miraculously filled with heavenly-sent oil, which is why this site was chosen for the anointings of Kings.
Basilique Saint-Remi
This is another Unesco Heritage Site in Reims, a former Benedictine abbey. The interior of the abbey is just as ornate as the exterior, and it should be on your list of things to do in Reims.
The abbey is named after Bishop Remigius, who famously baptized Clovis I and 3000 Frankish warriors. The baptism of Clovis is a special event in Christianity. Not only was it the first King’s conversion to Catholicism, but St Remi also describes how a white dove bought a vial of oil to anoint Clovis at his baptism. This is supposedly the vial housed in the Palais du Tau.
St Remi’s tomb lies in the abbey choir, signified with an impressive shrine. There is also an imposing chandelier commemorating every year of St Remi’s life with 96 candles. Its architecture comprises mid-11th-century Romanesque features and early Gothic elements from the late 12th century, giving visitors a real feel for the dramatic change in style through the ages.
Musee Saint-Remi
Adjacent to the Basilique Saint-Remi is the museum, and it is also part of the same Unesco Site. So, if you’ve got time, you should complete your Basilica visit with the museum. Together they tell the incredible story of Reims, making it unmissable if you want to understand the importance of this French city.
The museum is divided into four sections, and it contains a wide selection of relics, including marble capitals from the fourth century, tapestries donated by archbishops, jewelry, weapons, and remains of an earlier abbey building. It also displays an intricate tapestry depicting the life of St Remi.
Tour a Champagne House
No trip to Reims is complete without a visit to at least one champagne house, and there are plenty to choose from. My husband booked me a surprise tour at Taittinger, the bottle of champagne we had on the first night of our honeymoon. It was a sweet gesture earning him lots of brownie points, and the helpful staff made the trip truly special for us.
If you haven’t got a champagne house in mind as we did, some of the other best tours include Veuve Clicquot-Ponsardin, Maison Ruinart, and La Maison Mumm. Most champagne houses take you down into their man-made chalk tunnels under the city and tell you about the champagne process. These historic cellars provide the ideal environment to create that perfect fizz you can sample. The caves and tunnels have Unesco Heritage status too.
Different tours are available, some lasting a few hours and others taking a whole day. They all have different pricing tiers making tours affordable. The cool caves are also a great place to avoid the midday summer sun if you time your tour right. We only did the Taittinger tour, but after speaking to other tourists, most tours followed the same format.
Villa Demoiselle
If you are an art nouveau and art deco fan, Villa Demoiselle is the place to go. It is a little out of town, but well worth the hike to see it. It was previously left to rot, but at the start of the 21st century, it was respectfully restored to its former glory by the president of Cranken Champagnes. And they spared no expense to take you back in time!
Enjoy twenty design disciplines, including chairs created by Gustave Serrurier-Bovy, an awe-inspiring Cuir de Cordoue ceiling by Emile Galle, and chandeliers from the Bagues workshops. After the tour, you can sit on the charming deck and sample a glass of Vrancken Pommery, overlooking the city and the cathedral.
Musee de la Reddition
This is a museum for World War enthusiasts, as it contains the room where the German Chief of Staff signed the surrender marking the end of World War II. The signature room remains unchanged since it was signed on the 7th of May 1945 and is packed to the brim with military artifacts, memorabilia, and medals.
When you arrive at the museum, set the scene for your visit and watch the humbling 15-minute movie about how the wars affected Reims. And take your time to soak in the atmosphere and appreciate the space that marked the end of the tragedy and the beginning of much-needed reconciliation. If this is on your bucket list, be sure to take some tissues with you.
Circuit de Reims-Gueux
This is one for the petrol heads out there, and it was once the stage of the French Grand Prix. The famous circuits featured long straights, testing engines combined with sharp, fast-sweeping corners, testing the driver’s skill. That was until 1972 when they held the last race before the then-mayor ordered it to be demolished because it was deemed too dangerous.
It is situated outside the pretty village of Gueux to the west of Reims and is free too. Enjoy a stroll around the pits, towers, and grandstands that are slowly being brought back to their former glory thanks to a group of local enthusiasts. Take photos of the original weather-worn signage and imagine the crowds cheering on the racing cars as they speed past. This is a nostalgic place for car lovers.
Musee Automobile Reims Champagne
This leads us to our next place to visit, Reims Automobile Museum. It was founded in 1985 to store the collection of Philippe Charbonneaux, a French industrial designer specializing in vehicle design.
It is the fifth-largest vehicle collection in France and houses a selection of vehicles from 1903 until today. This includes 160 exceptional cars, 90 rare motorcycles, and over 7,000 miniatures and toy cars, making it suitable for adults and kids alike.
Halles du Boulingrin
The Halles du Boulingrin is a symbol of the emergence from the destruction of WWI. It became the city’s main food market in 1929. In September 2012, it opened following a major restoration in its full art-deco glory. Today it hosts the city’s regular food market, open on Wednesdays, Fridays, and Saturdays. And it also provides a beautiful backdrop for exhibitions and other events.
It is a popular place for residents providing an authentic market buzz, and you can purchase plenty of local produce. Why not stop here on the way to a local park and take a French-inspired picnic with you? If you like cheese, I recommend locally produced Chaource, available at the many cheese stalls. It is a soft crumbly cheese made with sheep’s milk, and it’s divine.
Place Drouet d’Erlon
In the center of Reim’s is the pedestrianized main square that draws locals in for food, drinks, and retail therapy. If you’re looking for some relaxed al fresco dining, why not stop here? They have a wide range of cuisines, from authentic French to tasty Moroccan, and much more. Or there is also a Michelin-starred restaurant, La Grande Georgette, not too far around the corner if you’re feeling fancy.
The square is also home to the Sube Fountain, built in 1907 and crowned by a statue of Winged Victory. I found it’s the perfect place to sit, relax, and watch the world go by when you need to rest your feet for a bit. And at the end of the rue is Square Colbert, a lovely little park lined with trees that the locals often visit on their lunch break.
Bibliotheque Carnegie
Reims was gifted a library by the American philanthropist Andre Carnegie after the devastation caused by World War I. The library was built between 1921 and 1927, and it is an impressive building for art deco lovers.
Entry is free, and you can view medieval manuscripts and other impressive items. The lobby boasts sparkling 1920s mosaics, superb stained glass, fresco ceilings, and a twinkling chandelier.
Maison Fossier
This is a must if you are a foodie-lover like me. It all goes back to the 1690s when the famous Reims’ pink biscuit was born. The biscuits are traditionally eaten with the region’s famous fizz and hold their shape well when dunked. It was a tradition of French princes to enjoy a glass of fizz with pink biscuits before their coronation.
Maison Fossier is one of the few biscuiteries left in Reims to make them the traditional, “baked-twice” way. The Fossier biscuit factory is just on the city’s edge, and you can sample the delicious biscuits during the tour. As well as buying several packs of biscuits to keep me going on my trip, I bought a bag of Reims Roses Biscuit powder and made many delicious cakes to cure my Reims holiday blues.
Parc de Champagne
Champagne Park was opened in 1910, initiated by the director of the Pommery champagne house. It is the largest park in Reims and hosts many events and outdoor activities. Why not get to know the locals and participate in soccer, volleyball, and chess matches held regularly? The locals are friendly, but they might snigger if you mess up your boule throw!
Take a leisurely stroll around the lake and let the kids loose in the orienteering and tree-climbing circuits available for all ages. You could also take the picnic you picked up in the Halles du Boulingrin and enjoy the peacefulness this park has to offer. It’s a great place to enjoy the relaxed French way of life if you’ve got a few hours to spare.
Musee des Beaux-Arts
Housed in the 18th-century abbey, this art museum takes you on a five-century journey through French and European art. This is a must-see for art lovers or those who want to see some of Reims’s history through various artists’ eyes.
It has one of the four versions of Jacques-Louis David’s famous “The Death of Marat” and more works of Camille Corot anywhere else in the world (after the Louvre). It also exhibits several art-nouveau pieces by Emile Galle and paintings by Monet, Vuillard, and Pissarro.
Chapelle Foujita
Sometimes called the Chapel of Our Lady Queen of Peace, the Chapelle Foujita is the last great work by the Japanese-born artist Tsuguharu Foujita. He designed the chapel in the 1960s and painted the frescos that smother the inside walls.
It is a captivating mix of Japanese and Italian Renaissance-style art, with a hint of Christian faith that he converted to. Foujita stated that he built the chapel to atone for 80 years of sin, and it is a beautiful little place to take some time out from the buzz of the city.
Porte de Mars
There isn’t a lot of Roman history left in Reims, but this ornate arch hasn’t only survived, it is still standing strong. It was built in the third century and measures 33 meters in length, making it the largest Roman arch in the world. It has extensive and detailed carvings on the exterior and the ceilings, depicting Romulus and Remus, as well as other figures in Roman mythology.
Porte de Mars became a part of an estate that was destroyed in 1595 and rediscovered in 1667. It was fully revealed when the city walls were dismantled from 1884 to 1854, which is one of the reasons it is so well preserved. Porte de Mars also received a total renovation and reopened in 2019.