Top 10 tourist attractions
With an exceptional historical heritage, Champagne’s houses are renowned worldwide and this region has a gastronomy rich in flavours. As a result, Reims is packed full of treasures to discover.
In Reims, discover its rich 2000 year old past. A brief visit is enough to understand that from the Gallo-Roman era until modern day, Reims has played a key role in shaping France’s history.
It has such a significant heritage that on two occasions its sites have been listed as UNESCO world heritage: first in 1991 with the cathedral, Palais du Tau and the former Saint-Remi abbey, and recently in 2015 with the Champagne hillsides, houses and cellars.
1- Reims Cathedral
Any visit to Reims, whether for business or pleasure, should include a trip to the Cathedral of Notre-Dame. Its beauty is appreciated by everyone who visits and with good reason. It is an architectural gem which has been listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site.
Larger than the Parisian Notre-Dame, it has exceptional statuary. 2,303 sculpted figures adorn its façades. From biblical scenes, a kings gallery, a bestiary to gargoyles, the guides who will show you around this remarkable building have so many stories to tell.
2- Tau palace (Palais du Tau in French)
When the kings of France went to Reims for their coronation, they would stay for several days in the Tau palace, the archbishop's residence situated next to the cathedral. It was also where the post-coronation festivities would be celebrated.
Listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site since 1991, the palace now houses an exceptional museum whose collections trace back the history of the cathedral and its royal coronations.
3- The major Champagne Houses
The Champagne houses have made Reims famous worldwide. Known by everyone, they are fascinating due to their image and prestige.
Enter into this unique universe and discover their spectacular cellars, known as crayères, listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site in 2015, where millions of bottles are kept.
4- Champagne Vineyards
There would be no Champagne wine without the vineyards and their distinctive terroir and climate.
Head along the Champagne Tourist Trail and just a few kilometres outside of Reims, surround yourself in a sea of vines with breathtaking view points. Depending on the seasons, you can observe the work of the local wine-growers who shape this landscape on a daily basis.
Cyrille Beudot - Ville de Reims / Grand Reims
Cyrille Beudot - Office de Tourisme du Grand Reims5- The Former Abbey of Saint-Remi
The former abbey of Saint-Remi, also listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is made up of 2 visiting sites: the basilica and history museum. Both are worth the detour and are around twenty minutes from the foot of the cathedral. Several bus lines allow you to reach this tourist spot in under 5 minutes.
The basilica is splendid. Its interior, which combines Gothic and Roman styles, is imprinted with spirituality.
The museum, whose rich collections are set up in different rooms of the Benedictine abbey, trace back the history of mankind from Prehistory to the Renaissance.
6- Reconstruction Architecture
After being almost entirely destroyed during the First World War, the city needed to be fully rebuilt. As a result, in the 20s and 30s, architects let their imagination run wild to create a new city.
The city centre is packed full of apartment blocks from that era, notably in the Art Déco and Art Nouveau styles, giving it a distinctive charm.
7- Reims Pink Biscuit
With its pink colour and white coating, Reims Pink Biscuit is recognisable by everyone. It has been the pride and joy of the locals for centuries and it is eaten with gusto, coupled with a flute of Champagne or cooked in desserts, such as a strawberry charlotte served in a verrine.
Today, Maison Fossier is the representative of this traditional biscuit, which got its unusual colour to simply mask the black vanilla seeds which flavour it.
8- Reims lifestyle
Gastronomy is a major part of the life and soul of Reims. From Halles du Boulingrin where the city’s largest market is held, to the cobbled streets in the city centre, there are plenty of wonderful places to visit.
Chocolatiers, restaurateurs, butchers, cheesemongers to name a few... In Reims, several artisans are worthy representatives of French gastronomy.
9- The top restaurants
The Reims metropolis has no less than 5 Michelin star restaurants: Le Grand Cerf (and its chef Dominique Giraudeau), Le Foch (and its chef Jacky Louaze) and Racine, French cuisine influenced by Japan culture (and its chef Kazuyuki Tanaka) with 2 star have each been awarded a star from this prestigious guide.
Philippe Mille, the chef of Domaine les Crayères, has been awarded with two stars. With his cuisine he enhances the work of the local producers he collaborates with and maintains the strong connections he has formed with them.
Finally, Arnaud Lallement, the chef at l'Assiette Champenoise, won recognition in 2014 by obtaining his third star. In the previous year, he was voted chef of the year by the Gault & Millau guide.
10- Major Events
Reims’ urban area is constantly buzzing with major events held all throughout the year:
- There are several sports events, such as the Rallye Monte Carlo Historique (the Historic Monte-Carlo Rally), the FISE (the Extreme Sports International Festival), the Jumping international (an international show jumping event), Run in Reims and quite simply league 1 matches in Stade de Reims (the city stadium).
- There are also musical events held throughout the year such as Flâneries Musicales, La Magnifique Society, La Poule des Champs or the Sunnyside Festival
- Finally, there are major family events such as the Christmas Market or the Fêtes Johanniques
Plus a whole lot more...
Discover all of the best things to do in Reims and Champagne on the Grand Reims Tourism Office public website