Reims: The Complete Guide

Roughly situated 100 kilometers North-East of Paris (equivalent to a journey of about forty-five minutes by train on the fast route), Reims emerges as the entry point to Champagne, an illustrious historical French region renowned for its effervescent libation. Boasting numerous captivating landmarks and a grand tally of 4 UNESCO World Heritage sites, this town is an essential inclusion for your sojourn in France. Chiefly acclaimed for its production of champagne, Reims is home to several of the most sizable and acclaimed champagne estates, many of which extend invitations for tours and tastings. Notably, the Reims Cathedral stands as the hallowed site where every French monarch, spanning from 987 to Charles X in the 19th century, underwent coronation.
TIP: If you are visiting Reims for just a day and want to make the most of your visit, you may want to consider taking a walking tour with a local guide.
This is one of the most complete and best-rated guided tours of the Cathedral of Notre Dame de Reims in about 1.5 hours.
If you prefer exploring at your own pace read our blog on Top Places to visit in Reims!.
Table of Contents
- History of Reims
- 23 Best places to See in Reims
- Reims Cryptoporticus
- Musée Hôtel Le Vergeur
- Porte de Mars
- Place Royale, Reims
- Joan of Arc Statue, Reims
- Cathédrale Notre-Dame de Reims
- Musée de la Reddition (World War II Museum)
- Musée des Beaux-Arts, Reims
- Palais du Tau (Archbishops' Palace)
- La Maison Mumm
- Bibliothèque Carnegie
- Chapelle Foujita (Chapelle Notre-Dame-de-la-Paix)
- Reims Champagne Automobile Museum
- Musée Saint-Rémi
- Basilique Saint-Rémi
- Taittinger
- Villa Demoiselle
- Maison Ruinart
- Champagne Pommery
- Maison Veuve Clicquot
- Parc de Champagne
- Fort de la Pompelle
- Moët & Chandon
- Where to Stay in Reims
- Best Time to Visit Reims
- How to get to Reims
- Getting to Reims by Plane
- Visit Reims by Train
- Getting Around Reims
Visiting Reims for the first time and wondering what are the top places to see in the city? In this complete guide, I share the best things to do in Reims on the first visit. To help you plan your trip, I have also included an interactive map and practical tips for visiting!
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23 Best places to See in Reims
This complete guide to Reims not only tells you about the very best sights and tourist attractions for first-time visitors to the city but also provide insights into a few of our personal favorite things to do.
This is a practical guide to visiting the best places to see in Reims and is filled with tips and info that should answer all your questions!
Reims Cryptoporticus

Location: Cryptoportique, Place du Forum, Reims, France | Distance: 0.2km
Visiting Reims Cryptoporticus
Musée Hôtel Le Vergeur

Location: Musée-Hôtel Le Vergeur, Place du Forum, Reims, France | Hours: Tuesday - Sunday. Hours are from 10am until 12 noon and 2pm until 6pm. | Price: €5.50 | Website | Distance: 0.2km
Visiting Musée Hôtel Le Vergeur
Porte de Mars

Location: Porte Mars, Place de la République, Reims, France | Distance: 0.3km
Visiting Porte de Mars
Place Royale, Reims

Location: Place Royale, Reims, France | Distance: 0.4km
Visiting Place Royale, Reims
Joan of Arc Statue, Reims

Location: Statue de Jeanne d'Arc Canton de Reims-1, 51100 Reims France | Distance: 0.5km
Visiting Joan of Arc Statue, Reims
Cathédrale Notre-Dame de Reims

Location: Cathédrale Notre-Dame de Reims, Notre Dame de Reims, Place du Cardinal Luçon, Reims, France | Hours: 7:30am until 7:30pm | Price: €8 | Website | Distance: 0.5km
Visiting Cathédrale Notre-Dame de Reims
Musée de la Reddition (World War II Museum)

Location: Musée de la Reddition, Rue du Président Franklin Roosevelt, Reims, France | Hours: Every day from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Closed on Tuesdays | Price: €5.50 | Website | Distance: 0.6km
Visiting Musée de la Reddition (World War II Museum)
Musée des Beaux-Arts, Reims

Location: Musée des Beaux-Arts, Rue Chanzy, Reims, France | Price: €5: Fine Arts Museum and Foujita Chapel | Website | Distance: 0.6km
Visiting Musée des Beaux-Arts, Reims
Palais du Tau (Archbishops' Palace)

Location: Palais du Tau, Place du Cardinal Luçon, Reims, France | Website | Distance: 0.6km
Visiting Palais du Tau (Archbishops' Palace)
La Maison Mumm

Location: G.H. Mumm, Rue du Champ de Mars, Reims, France | Price: € 28 | Website | Distance: 0.7km
Visiting La Maison Mumm
Bibliothèque Carnegie

Location: Bibliothèque Carnegie, Place Carnegie, Reims, France | Distance: 0.7km
Visiting Bibliothèque Carnegie
Chapelle Foujita (Chapelle Notre-Dame-de-la-Paix)

Location: Chapelle Foujita, Rue du Champ de Mars, Reims, France | Hours: Every day from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. and from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. Closed on Tuesday. | Price: €5.50 | Website | Distance: 0.8km
Visiting Chapelle Foujita (Chapelle Notre-Dame-de-la-Paix)
Reims Champagne Automobile Museum

Location: Musée Automobile Reims Champagne, Avenue Georges Clemenceau, Reims, France | Hours: From May 1 to October 31: 10:00 - 12:00 & 14:00 - 18:00 From November 1 to April 30: 10:00 - 12:00 & 14:00 - 17:00 | Price: €10,00 | Website | Distance: 1.6km
Visiting Reims Champagne Automobile Museum
Musée Saint-Rémi

Location: Musée Saint-Remi, Rue Simon, Reims, France | Hours: Daily from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. | Price: €5.50 | Website | Distance: 1.8km
Visiting Musée Saint-Rémi
Basilique Saint-Rémi

Location: Basilique Saint-Remi, Rue Saint-Julien, Reims, France | Distance: 1.8km
Visiting Basilique Saint-Rémi
Taittinger

Location: Champagne Taittinger - Visites des Caves, Place Saint-Nicaise, Reims, France | Price: Tastings: €37 | Website | Distance: 1.9km
Visiting Taittinger
Villa Demoiselle

Location: Villa Demoiselle, Boulevard Henry Vasnier, Reims, France | Hours: Wed-Sun 10.00-18:00 | Price: €35 | Website | Distance: 2.1km
Visiting Villa Demoiselle
Maison Ruinart

Location: Champagne Ruinart, Rue des Crayères, Reims, France | Distance: 2.2km
Visiting Maison Ruinart
Champagne Pommery

| Hours: Monday and Tuesday: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Wednesday, Thursday and Sunday: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. | Price: €26 Self Guided Tour / €32 Guided Tour | Website | | Distance: 2.2km
Visiting Champagne Pommery
Maison Veuve Clicquot

Location: Champagne Veuve Clicquot - Centre de Visite, Rue Albert Thomas, Reims, France | Price: From €35 | Website | | Distance: 2.3km
Visiting Maison Veuve Clicquot
Parc de Champagne

Location: Parc de Champagne, Avenue du Général Giraud, Reims, France | Distance: 2.6km
Visiting Parc de Champagne
Fort de la Pompelle

Location: Fort de la Pompelle, Puisieulx, France | Hours: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Closed on Mondays | Price: €5.50 | Website | Distance: 8.5km
Visiting Fort de la Pompelle
Moët & Chandon

Location: Moët & Chandon, Rue Pupin, Épernay, France | Website | Distance: 24.4km
Visiting Moët & Chandon
Where to Stay in Reims
The best area to stay is in the city center, where boutique hotels and guesthouses provide easy access to Reims Cathedral, the Palais du Tau, and the city’s vibrant dining scene. For a more luxurious experience, staying at a champagne house estate in the surrounding vineyards offers a refined retreat.
A 2 to 3-day stay is ideal for exploring Reims’ historic sites and visiting champagne houses for tastings. A 4-day stay allows for day trips to Épernay, Hautvillers, and the scenic Champagne Route.
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.
Reims Accommodation Map
Best Time to Visit Reims
Reims, located in the Champagne region of northeastern France, is famous for its rich history, stunning cathedral, and world-renowned champagne houses. Here’s a guide to the best time to visit Reims:
- Spring (March to May): Spring is a delightful time to visit Reims as the weather begins to warm up, and the city comes alive with blooming flowers and greenery. This season is ideal for exploring the city’s historic landmarks, such as the magnificent Notre-Dame de Reims Cathedral, which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Spring also offers opportunities to visit the nearby champagne vineyards and participate in tastings of the region’s famous sparkling wines.
- Summer (June to August): Summer is the peak tourist season in Reims, with warm temperatures and long daylight hours. This is the best time to explore the city’s outdoor attractions, such as the picturesque Place Drouet-d’Erlon and the tranquil Parc de la Patte d’Oie. Summer also brings a variety of cultural events and festivals to Reims, including music concerts, art exhibitions, and food fairs. However, be prepared for larger crowds and higher prices during this time.
- Fall (September to November): Fall is another great time to visit Reims, as the weather remains pleasant, and the summer crowds begin to dissipate. This season is ideal for exploring the city’s museums and galleries, such as the Musée des Beaux-Arts and the Palais du Tau. Fall also offers opportunities for culinary experiences, such as sampling traditional dishes like coq au vin and boeuf bourguignon at local restaurants and bistros.
- Winter (December to February): Winter in Reims is relatively quiet, with fewer tourists and cooler temperatures. This season offers a more intimate experience for visitors, with the opportunity to explore the city’s indoor attractions, such as its historic churches, museums, and wine cellars, without the crowds. Winter is also a great time to indulge in hearty meals and warm drinks at cozy brasseries and cafes throughout the city.
Ultimately, the best time to visit Reims depends on your preferences for weather, crowds, and activities. Whether you’re interested in exploring historic landmarks, sampling champagne, or experiencing local culture, Reims has something to offer for every traveler throughout the year.
Annual Weather Overview
- January 7°C 47°F
- February 8°C 51°F
- March 12°C 57°F
- April 17°C 66°F
- May 19°C 69°F
- June 23°C 78°F
- July 26°C 83°F
- August 28°C 86°F
- September 23°C 77°F
- October 18°C 68°F
- November 10°C 54°F
- December 8°C 50°F
How to get to Reims
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.