Reims, France: The Ultimate Travel Guide 2026

In the heart of Reims, the city centre is ideal for visitors who wish to be close to major attractions like the Notre-Dame Cathedral and the Palace of Tau. Staying here provides easy access to shops, restaurants, and cultural sites. For a luxurious experience, La Caserne Chanzy Hotel & Spa, Autograph Collection offers elegant rooms with cathedral views and a full-service spa. Another excellent option is Best Western Premier Hôtel de la Paix, known for its modern amenities, including an indoor pool and a stylish bar.

For those seeking a more tranquil setting, the Montagne de Reims area, just outside the city, offers serene landscapes amidst vineyards. Domaine Les Crayères is a renowned château hotel featuring opulent rooms and a two-Michelin-starred restaurant, Le Parc. This location is perfect for wine enthusiasts and those looking to explore the Champagne region’s natural beauty.

Travelers arriving by train might consider staying near the Reims train station for convenience. Novotel Suites Reims Centre offers spacious suites and is just a short walk from the station, making it ideal for business travelers or those on a tight schedule. Similarly, Holiday Inn Reims - City Centre provides comfortable accommodations with the added benefit of a rooftop restaurant offering panoramic city views.

For a countryside retreat, the village of Sacy, located approximately 9 km from Reims, provides a peaceful escape. Château de Sacy combines historic charm with modern luxury, offering rooms with vineyard views and a gourmet restaurant. This setting is ideal for couples seeking a romantic getaway or travelers wanting to immerse themselves in the region’s winemaking heritage.

Using the our Hotel and Accomodation map, you can compare hotels and short-term rental accommodations in Reims. Simply insert your travel dates and group size, and you’ll see the best deals for your stay.

Visiting Reims in Spring

March to May is one of the most comfortable windows: longer days, mild temperatures, and fewer tour groups than summer. It’s a strong season for Champagne-house tours and day trips into the vineyards without the peak-season pricing pressure. If you want a festival anchor, the city’s Joan of Arc celebrations (Fêtes Johanniques) typically land in late May or early June and bring medieval-themed events and a lively atmosphere around the cathedral area.

Visiting Reims in Summer

June to August offers the longest opening hours, the most energy in the city, and dependable weather for walking between landmarks and champagne houses. The key trade-off is crowds—especially on weekends—so pre-booking cellar tours becomes more important. Festival-wise, the Flâneries Musicales fills late June to mid/late July with classical concerts staged in heritage venues across Reims, which can be a major draw if you want culture alongside tastings.

Visiting Reims in Autumn (Best)

September to October combines vineyard atmosphere with comfortable sightseeing weather, and it’s the season most visitors associate with “Champagne time.” Harvest timing varies year to year, but in recent years it has often started from mid-August into September across the region; if you catch it, it’s a memorable backdrop for a visit. The practical note: some houses may reduce visitor access during the busiest harvest days, so your best strategy is to lock in appointments early and keep a shortlist of alternatives.

Visiting Reims in Winter

November to February is the quietest period for crowds and can be excellent value for accommodation, with a more local, unhurried feel in the city. The standout reason to come is the Christmas season: Reims hosts a large Christmas market that typically runs from late November through late December, with festive lighting and easy pairing with cellar visits. If you want the most “winter magic,” target late November to mid-December rather than after Christmas, when activity drops.

Getting to Reims by Plane

Though there are no direct flights to Reims, it's easy to get here from Paris. There are two airports you can arrive at when flying to Paris: The most convenient is Charles de Gaulle (CDG) international airport which is directly connected by train to Reims and only 30 minutes away. The train departs from CDG 2 train station. It is recommended to book your ticket in advance. The second airport is Orly international airport (ORY) and then travel to Gare de l'est (Paris-East train station) where you can catch the train to Reims. Reims is located 45 mins from Gare de l'est.

Visit Reims by Train

It is easy to travel to Reims from Paris as it is only 45minutes by TGV from Gare de l'Est. Reims is served by two main railway stations: Gare de Reims in the city centre, the hub for regional transport, and the new Gare de Champagne-Ardenne TGV 5 km southwest of the city with high speed rail connections to Paris, Metz, Nancy and Strasbourg. The motorwaysA4 (Paris-Strasbourg) and A26 (Calais-Langres) intersect near Reims.

Getting Around Reims

Reims is a city that can be conveniently explored on foot. Another pleasant option for enjoying sunny days is to rent a bicycle. However, one of the most convenient and cost-effective means of getting around Reims is to purchase a daily bus ticket. These tickets provide access to various modes of public transportation, including trams, regular buses, and 100% electric shuttles. You can obtain these tickets at the Office de Tourisme de Reims located on boulevard Général Leclerc, as well as on board the buses. Information about schedules and directions is clearly displayed on all buses and at bus stops for your convenience.
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