Located northeast of Paris, Reims abounds with magnificent monuments and is home of numerous champagne houses and stylish restaurants. Reims combines the culture of a big city with the charm of a smaller town. Go for a stroll around the city, discover where the French kings were crowned, visit numerous wineries and taste delicious champagne. Reims is the perfect day trip for the ones who fancy themselves as Champagne connoisseurs and for the ones interested in getting to know more about French royalty.
Reims is one of the more popular places to take a day trip from Paris. There is plenty to see and do. Here are the highlights.
Reims Cathedral is the ultimate place to visit for travelers that value history and architecture. The landmark is impressive for anyone purely based on its stature. Inside its walls, you will discover that royalty and famous people have been on its grounds for nearly 1,000 years.
The Palace of Tau gets overshadowed as it is next door to the Reims Cathedral, yet make sure you don’t overlook this important landmark. The Palace of Tau has also served a purpose in coronation rituals. The palace features artifacts, some of which date back to the 9th century. The Holy Ampulla is the most sought-after sight inside the palace.
Another UNESCO World Heritage Site that is worth reserving time for during your travels to Reims. Saint-Remi Basilica is renowned for its gothic architecture and sculptures, much like the Reims Cathedral. However, portions of the building date back even further than the gothic period.
Located in the heart of Rems, the Villa Demoiselle is a true masterpiece mixing Art Deco and Art Nouveau style. The structure was neglected for over twenty years yet has since been restored in the early-2000s. The villa is a must-visit for every art lovers.
France is noteworthy for its fine dining and wine, two items that are present in Reims. The city is a popular stop along with Champagne production in France. Wine enthusiasts savor tastes from big-name producers as well as family-owned operations.
Reims is also a great destination for food lovers. Reims hosts a number of Michelin-recommended eateries, including several starred restaurants such as Assiette Champenoise, Le Parc Les Crayères and Le Foch to name a few.
Reims is famous for its stunning architecture, amazing history, and its unique and prestigious product that needs no introduction: Champagne.
Discover the highlights of Reims on a city tour. Despite suffering damages during both WWI and WWII, the city of Reims has been marvelously rebuilt, and many of the newer buildings have been designed in an amazing Art Deco style.
Reims is endowed with cute pedestrian streets, Roman remains, art-deco cafes and of course stunning landmarks such as the the Reims cathedral - a UNESCO World Heritage site. Discover where many French kings were crowned, marvel at its amazing architecture, and learn more about some of the treasures contained within its walls.
Wine tasting tours give you a behind-the-scenes peek at Champagne production. Visit the world’s most renowned sparkling wine producers such as Moët & Chandon, Ruinart, Veuve Clicquot, Mumm and Mercier to name a few. Learn about the traditional Champagne-making process, visit ancient cellars and taste the wines. You may buy some bottles to bring back home.
You will also enjoy stunning views of endless vineyards and picturesque French villages along the way.
Abslutely. Booking a guided tour to visit Reims and the Champagne region offers a number of benefits.
Reims tours from Paris range in costs depending on the service. Full-day tours traditionally start around US$ 150. Guided tours that combine with wine tastings are incredibly popular yet cost slightly more than a regular tour.
Reims is a reasonable drive from Paris, making it an ideal day trip. The distance from Reims to Paris is approximately 130 km. The average driving time to the attractions of Reims is close to two hours. It is possible to shave off a little time by traveling by train.
As previously mentioned, one major advantage of booking a guided tour is transportation. You enjoy a round trip from Paris to Reims, and also the possiblity to travel around Reims and visit the Champagne vineyards.
May to October are the best months to visit the city of Reims. Be aware that the champagne houses are at their busiest during the fall harvest that begins in late September.
There are a few things to consider when traveling to Reims for the best experience possible: