Reims Cathedral

Cathedral in Reims

CC BY-SA 4.0 / Tontonflingueur

Reims Cathedral dominates the centre of Reims with a façade that feels almost impossibly detailed, like carved stone lace rising into the sky. Even if you've seen plenty of French cathedrals, the first impression here is different: the scale is grand, the sculpture is dense, and the building seems to pull you in from every angle, which is why it's one of the top sights in Reims for first-time visitors and architecture lovers alike.

Inside, the atmosphere shifts from sculptural drama to pure light. The long nave feels solemn yet surprisingly bright thanks to the stained-glass windows, including modern panels that add a contemporary note to a medieval masterpiece. It's also a highlight of any walking tour of Reims, because the cathedral sits at the city's natural crossroads, with cafés, museums, and historic squares radiating outward in every direction.

History and Significance of the Reims Cathedral
Things to See and Do in the Reims Cathedral
How to Get to the Reims Cathedral
Practical Tips on Visiting the Reims Cathedral
Where to Stay close to the Reims Cathedral
Is the Reims Cathedral Worth Visiting?
FAQs for Visiting Reims Cathedral
For Different Travelers
Nearby Attractions to the Reims Cathedral

History and Significance of the Reims Cathedral

Reims Cathedral is inseparable from French national history. For centuries it was the stage for royal coronations, giving the building a symbolic weight that goes beyond architecture and art. When you stand in the nave, you're not only looking at Gothic vaulting and stained glass; you're standing in a space designed to project legitimacy, ritual, and continuity.

The cathedral’s 13th-century fabric represents the confidence of high Gothic design: soaring height, a carefully engineered structure, and an exterior programme packed with sculpture. More than a decorative layer, the façade was meant to teach, impress, and persuade-an open-air narrative told in saints, kings, angels, and biblical scenes that still reads clearly if you take time with it.

The building also carries a modern story of survival and renewal. Its stained glass includes contemporary works that sit comfortably within the historic setting, reminding you that a cathedral is not only a relic of the past but a continuing cultural space that each era leaves its mark upon.

Things to See and Do in the Reims Cathedral

Start outside and give the west façade your full attention before you go in. The three portals are the main event, with the central entrance traditionally focused on the story of the Virgin, and above them the great rose window anchors the façade’s symmetry. Then look up to the Gallery of Kings, a long line of figures that reinforces Reims’ royal identity and frames the whole front like a ceremonial stage set in stone.

Make time to find the famous Smiling Angel, a small detail with an outsized reputation. It’s one of those moments that brings the cathedral’s sculpture to life: the expression feels human and immediate, and it gives you a playful counterpoint to the building’s grandeur.

Inside, walk slowly down the nave and let your eyes adjust to the height and light. The stained glass is a major part of the experience, and the modern windows add a fresh rhythm to the medieval interior without clashing. If you enjoy photography, you’ll get better results by pausing and composing wide views rather than chasing details-this cathedral rewards a sense of scale.

Finally, step back outside into the square and take in the cathedral as a civic backdrop. It's worth noticing how the building sets the tone for the city centre: Reims feels organised around it, and a short loop around the exterior gives you new perspectives on buttresses, portals, and the changing texture of the stonework.

How to Get to the Reims Cathedral

Most international visitors fly into Paris Charles de Gaulle or Paris Orly, then continue to Reims by rail or road. For the best deals and a seamless booking experience, check out these flights to Reims on Booking.com.
Reims is fast and easy by train from Paris Gare de l’Est, and from Reims station you can walk or take a short local connection to the cathedral in the city centre. You can use SNCF Connect to check schedules, compare routes, and purchase tickets for National (SNCF ) and regional trains (TER). For a more streamlined experience, we recommend using Omio, which allows you to easily compare prices, schedules, and book tickets for both National and Regional travel across all of Europe, all in one place.
If you’re travelling by car, aim for city-centre parking garages and continue on foot, as the central area is best explored walking and some streets are traffic-regulated. If you are looking to rent a car in France I recommend having a look at Discover Cars, first, as they compare prices and review multiple car rental agencies for you.

Practical Tips on Visiting the Reims Cathedral

Suggested tips: Arrive early, do a full exterior circuit first, then go inside when the light is best and the nave is quieter.
Best time to visit: Morning for calmer viewing, or late afternoon for a softer interior glow through the stained glass.
Entrance fee: Adults: €8.00
Opening hours: Daily: 7:30am until 7:30pm
Official website: https://www.cathedrale-reims.fr/en
How long to spend: 60-90 minutes, longer if you linger outside with the sculpture and portals.
Accessibility: Generally accessible at ground level; some areas may have thresholds or uneven stone, and tower access (if available) typically involves stairs.
Facilities: Toilets and cafés are nearby in the city centre; inside the cathedral, facilities are usually limited.
Photography tip: Avoid flash, and try a few wide shots from the central aisle to capture the height and light rather than only close-ups.
Guided tours: Worth it if you want the façade sculpture “decoded” and the coronation history explained in a way that makes the building feel like a narrative, not just a backdrop.
Nearby food options: The streets around the cathedral and Place Drouet d’Erlon are ideal for an easy lunch or a post-visit glass of Champagne.

Where to Stay close to the Reims Cathedral

If you want to wake up within minutes of the cathedral and explore Reims on foot, staying in the centre makes everything simple. La Caserne Chanzy Hotel & Spa, Autograph Collection is one of the closest options and is ideal if you want cathedral views and an easy walk to restaurants. Best Western Premier Hôtel de la Paix is a comfortable central base with quick access to the cathedral and the main pedestrian streets. For a reliable, straightforward stay that keeps you walkable to the historic core, Holiday Inn Reims - Centre is a practical choice.

Is the Reims Cathedral Worth Visiting?

Yes, even if you're not usually a cathedral person. Reims Cathedral delivers on multiple levels at once: a façade packed with sculpture you can study like a stone manuscript, an interior defined by light, and a historical role that helps you understand how architecture supported power and ceremony in France.

It’s also one of those places that improves with a second look. Many people rush through, but if you slow down-especially outside-you start noticing expressions, gestures, and details that make the building feel less like a monument and more like a living gallery carved into the city.

FAQs for Visiting Reims Cathedral

Yes, entry to the cathedral is generally free, though special areas or experiences (when available) may be ticketed.

It is famous for its Gothic architecture, vast sculpture programme, and its historic role as the coronation church of French kings.

Plan 60-90 minutes for a satisfying visit that includes the façade, nave, and time to linger with the stained glass.

The west façade portals, the rose window, the Gallery of Kings, and the Smiling Angel are the key highlights.

Yes, they add a contemporary layer that works surprisingly well with the medieval interior and are part of what makes the light here so distinctive.

Yes, because Reims’ coronation history and its intense sculptural façade give it a different character and a different kind of grandeur.

You can often enter, but access may be limited and visitors are expected to remain quiet and respectful during worship.

Yes, but the best results come from wide interior shots and careful exterior framing; low light inside makes steady hands important.

Yes, it sits centrally and is easy to combine with museums, historic squares, and Champagne tastings in and around the city.

Usually no for general entry, but guided tours or special access options can be worth booking ahead in peak periods.

What Other Travellers Say...

Reviews Summary

4.7 (28,028)

Cathédrale Notre-Dame de Reims, on Place du Cardinal Luçon, is an imposing Gothic cathedral famed for its twin towers, ornate stone carvings and intricate stained-glass windows; visitors praise its soaring interior, high ceilings and colourful light effects, note that it houses relics and artworks, describe it as calm and meditative when music is played, and recommend it as the must-see landmark in Reims even during ongoing renovation.

Mahalakshmi Ramkumar

2 weeks ago

"Very beautiful Cathedral located at the centre of the city. I visited morning around 11 am and they have the vibration music playing continuously. Itfeels so good to sit and pray. Even if we don’t pray it’s a very calm place to meditate. The church is very beautiful...."

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GoûteEnRoute

a month ago

"A true masterpiece of Gothic architecture, the Cathédrale de Reims captivates visitors with its soaring spires, intricate stone carvings, andbreathtaking façade. Inside, sunlight streams through stained-glass windows of multiple colors and designs, casting vibrant patterns that tell stories from history and scripture. Every corner reveals centuries of craftsmanship, from the delicate arches to the detailed sculptures. Whether you are drawn to architecture, art, or history, the cathedral offers an unforgettable experience where light, color, and stone come together in perfect harmony...."

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Paul Vivas

2 months ago

"Historical & Legendary CathedralnThis is one of the oldest Cathedrals in the world. It witnessed the crowning of Kings in the Middle Ages and wasalways an amazing beacon of faith for the Catholic Church. It is currently ongoing a bit of renovation but still looks fabulous. If you come to Reims you will see the Cathedral it is the absolute one and only building you need to see visit. We were also very impressed by the inside the ceilings are so high that they give you this feeling of Grandness-nABSOLUTE must see !..."

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For Different Travelers

Families with Kids

This cathedral works well for families if you make it a “spotting” visit rather than a long lecture. Outside, children can hunt for the Smiling Angel and choose their favourite statue on the portals, which keeps the experience active and fun. Inside, keep it short and focus on the height and colour of the stained glass, then take a break in the square afterward.

If you’re pairing it with other cultural stops, use the cathedral as the main anchor and keep the rest flexible. A quick museum visit or a simple stroll afterward often works better than stacking multiple long interiors in a row.

Couples & Romantic Getaways

For couples, Reims Cathedral is at its best when you treat it as a slow experience rather than a quick tick. Arrive early, walk the façade together, then sit for a few minutes inside and let the light do the work. Afterward, the cathedral area transitions beautifully into a Champagne-focused afternoon, with cellars and tasting rooms that feel like a natural continuation of the city's sense of occasion.

Evening is also lovely around the cathedral, when the centre calms down and the building becomes a dramatic backdrop for a relaxed dinner nearby.

Budget Travelers

Reims Cathedral is a budget-friendly highlight because general entry is typically free and it delivers a world-class experience without a ticket queue. Build your day around walking: cathedral, a loop through the centre, then pick one paid activity such as a Champagne cellar tour if your budget allows.

If you're keeping costs tight, bring snacks and use the cathedral square and nearby streets for low-cost breaks. You can still have a full, memorable Reims day with the cathedral as your main event.

Nearby Attractions to the Reims Cathedral

Palais du Tau: The former archbishop's palace near the cathedral, closely tied to coronation history and cathedral treasures.
Basilique Saint-Remi: A major church associated with Reims' early Christian heritage and a quieter, more expansive interior experience.
Musée Saint-Remi: A museum with collections that help contextualise Reims from Roman roots to later city history.
Place Drouet d’Erlon: Reims’ main café-and-restaurant promenade, ideal for a break between sightseeing stops.
Champagne house cellars: Guided cellar visits in and around Reims offer tastings and a look at the region's most famous craft.

The Reims Cathedral appears in our Complete Guide to Visiting Reims!

Moira & Andy

Hey! We're Moira & Andy. From hiking the Camino to trips around Europe in Bert our campervan — we've been traveling together since retirement in 2020!

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