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Reims
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Reims, France, pairs its grand cathedral, Champagne cellars and Roman heritage with elegant squares, museums, local dining and memorable cultural sightseeing.

Cathedral City and Champagne Capital

Reims stands in France’s Champagne region, about 130 kilometres north-east of Paris, where grand ecclesiastical architecture and the discreet world of sparkling-wine production define the city’s character. Its centre is dominated by Notre-Dame de Reims, a masterpiece of High Gothic architecture whose richly sculpted west façade and luminous interior reflect the wealth and confidence of medieval Champagne. Beside it, the former Palace of Tau recalls the cathedral’s role in the coronation of French kings, while the Basilica of Saint-Remi and the Musée Saint-Remi extend the story from early Christianity to the modern era.
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From Roman Roads to Contemporary Reims

Reims grew from the Roman settlement of Durocortorum, capital of the Remi people and an important crossroads in northern Gaul. Reminders of that past include the Porte de Mars, one of the largest surviving Roman triumphal arches in France. The city suffered severe damage during the First World War, yet its reconstruction produced an unusual blend of Gothic revival, Art Deco and modern civic architecture. The Carnegie Library, built in the 1920s, is among its most elegant examples.

Cellars, Markets and Regional Life

Beneath the streets, Champagne houses use ancient chalk quarries, or crayères, as naturally cool cellars for ageing bottles. Around them, Reims offers food markets, independent shops, museums and broad pedestrian streets, while the nearby Montagne de Reims introduces vineyard landscapes and villages beyond the urban centre. Exploring the city means moving between royal history, Roman archaeology, twentieth-century reconstruction and the precise craft of Champagne production.

When is the best time to visit Reims?

Best: June–August · 23–25°C
Average daytime high and rainfall by month
MonthHigh (°C)Rainfall (mm)
January950
February1040
March1240
April1650
May2060
June (best)2370
July (best)2570
August (best)2460
September2160
October1760
November1250
December950

Getting to and around Reims

How to get there

Reims is most easily reached by high-speed train from Paris, with TGV services using Champagne-Ardenne TGV station on the southern edge of the city; local connections continue towards central Reims. Gare de Reims, near the centre, handles conventional regional trains and links with destinations in the Grand Est. Reims is also accessible by road via the A4 motorway, which connects Paris with eastern France. Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport is the principal international gateway for many overseas visitors, while Paris-Orly offers another option; neither airport is in Reims, so rail or road connections are needed for the final journey. Long-distance coach services may also serve the city, but routes and schedules vary.

Transportation

Central Reims is manageable on foot, particularly between the cathedral, Place Drouet-d’Erlon, the shopping streets and the railway station. The city has a tramway network and an urban bus system operated within the Grand Reims transport network, useful for reaching Saint-Remi, the Champagne-house districts and outlying neighbourhoods. Taxis and app-based services are available, although coverage can be less immediate outside central areas. Driving is practical for visiting vineyards beyond the city, but central streets include pedestrian areas and parking restrictions. Cycling can be useful on flatter urban routes, while organised excursions or a designated driver are sensible choices for vineyard visits involving tastings.

Best attractions in Reims

Reims’ principal sights gather around a compact centre, beginning with Notre-Dame Cathedral, whose sculpted façade, soaring nave and famous Smiling Angel reward close attention beyond the broad first impression. The adjacent Palace of Tau explains the cathedral’s coronation tradition, while the Basilica of Saint-Remi and Musée Saint-Remi trace the city’s religious, archaeological and medieval history in a former abbey complex. The Porte de Mars offers a striking encounter with Roman Durocortorum, and the Carnegie Library introduces the refined Art Deco style of the city’s post-war reconstruction. Champagne houses provide a different form of sightseeing: guided visits descend into cool chalk crayères before tastings reveal the production process. The Musée des Beaux-Arts, pedestrian streets around Place Drouet-d’Erlon and the Halles du Boulingrin add art, urban life and food culture, while the Canal de l’Aisne à la Marne offers a gentler perspective beyond the monumental centre.

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Best landmarks in Reims

Notre-Dame de Reims is the city’s defining landmark, a thirteenth-century Gothic cathedral celebrated for its monumental sculpture, extensive stained glass and long association with French coronations. Beside it, the Palace of Tau preserves the ceremonial world of archbishops and kings, while the Basilica of Saint-Remi presents a more layered Romanesque-Gothic monument connected with the city’s early Christian history. The Porte de Mars, a vast surviving Roman arch, anchors Reims’ ancient identity and recalls Durocortorum’s importance in Gaul. For a different architectural language, the Carnegie Library and the Art Deco façades created during interwar reconstruction show how the city responded to wartime destruction. The completed cathedral, Palace of Tau and Saint-Remi ensemble is recognised by UNESCO for its historical and architectural significance, while Champagne’s subterranean crayères express the industrial heritage beneath the modern streets.

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Explore Reims on the map

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Neighbourhoods in Reims

Best restaurants in Reims

Reims dining draws on the produce and traditions of Champagne, combining refined regional cooking with relaxed cafés, bakeries and market food. Local specialities include jambon de Reims, a delicately seasoned pressed ham, and the pink biscuits of Reims, traditionally served with Champagne or used in desserts. Menus may also feature poultry from the region, lentils, seasonal vegetables, cheeses and dishes prepared with Champagne, while nearby vineyards shape the city’s extensive sparkling-wine culture. The area around Place Drouet-d’Erlon and the central pedestrian streets contains many restaurants and brasseries, whereas the Halles du Boulingrin provides a more everyday encounter with regional ingredients and prepared foods. Gastronomic restaurants sit alongside crêperies, wine bars, patisseries and casual international dining, reflecting Reims’ university population and its role as a visitor gateway to the vineyards.

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Best bars in Reims

Evenings in Reims centre are concentrated around Place Drouet-d’Erlon, Rue de Vesle and the streets near the cathedral, where cafés, brasseries, wine bars and cocktail venues stay active after the daytime sightseeing crowds have thinned. Champagne is naturally prominent, though local bars also offer beer, wine and alcohol-free choices in settings ranging from polished lounges to informal student-oriented rooms. The city’s nightlife is lively rather than metropolitan in scale, with activity generally greatest from Thursday through Saturday and a quieter rhythm elsewhere. Cultural evenings may include performances at venues such as the Opéra de Reims, La Comédie de Reims or La Cartonnerie, a recognised live-music space. Cellar tastings and hosted Champagne events provide a more distinctive alternative to clubbing, while later-night venues are mainly concentrated in the central entertainment area.

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Best nightclubs in Reims

Evenings in Reims centre are concentrated around Place Drouet-d’Erlon, Rue de Vesle and the streets near the cathedral, where cafés, brasseries, wine bars and cocktail venues stay active after the daytime sightseeing crowds have thinned. Champagne is naturally prominent, though local bars also offer beer, wine and alcohol-free choices in settings ranging from polished lounges to informal student-oriented rooms. The city’s nightlife is lively rather than metropolitan in scale, with activity generally greatest from Thursday through Saturday and a quieter rhythm elsewhere. Cultural evenings may include performances at venues such as the Opéra de Reims, La Comédie de Reims or La Cartonnerie, a recognised live-music space. Cellar tastings and hosted Champagne events provide a more distinctive alternative to clubbing, while later-night venues are mainly concentrated in the central entertainment area.

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Best shops in Reims

Shopping in Reims combines practical French retail with products closely tied to Champagne’s regional identity. Rue de Vesle and the surrounding pedestrian streets provide the main central shopping route, with fashion, beauty, food and independent businesses extending towards Place Drouet-d’Erlon. The Halles du Boulingrin, housed in a distinctive modernist market building, is the place to browse produce, cheeses, charcuterie, prepared foods and seasonal specialities rather than conventional souvenirs. Specialist food shops sell Champagne biscuits, regional confectionery and local bottles, while cellar doors and house boutiques offer branded gifts and presentation boxes. Visitors may also find ceramics, tableware, gourmet ingredients and finely made items suited to the rituals of serving sparkling wine. For a more contemporary retail experience, the pedestrian centre and nearby commercial areas offer familiar French chains alongside smaller boutiques, though opening patterns can vary.

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Reims essentials

Currency and Payment
France uses the euro, written as EUR or €. Cards are widely accepted in hotels, department stores, museums, restaurants and many cafés, and contactless payment is common for ordinary purchases. Smaller market stalls, bakeries and independent businesses may set minimum card amounts or prefer cash, so carrying a modest quantity of euros remains useful. ATMs are available in central Reims and around transport hubs, although international banks may apply withdrawal or conversion fees. When paying by card, choose euros rather than a home-currency conversion if the terminal offers a choice, as the card issuer’s exchange rate may be more favourable. Tipping is not obligatory, since service is included, but rounding up for good service is customary.
Safety
Reims is generally straightforward for visitors, but ordinary urban precautions remain appropriate. Keep wallets, phones and documents secure in crowded streets, on public transport and around railway stations, and avoid leaving valuables visible in parked cars. The cathedral quarter and central streets are usually active during the day, while quieter areas may feel less comfortable late at night; use well-lit routes or a taxi when returning after evening events. Take care on roads and tram crossings, particularly in busy central areas. Champagne tastings can involve several venues, so plan transport responsibly and never drive after drinking. Check current local advice during large events, demonstrations or severe weather.
Emergency Situations
In France, call 112 for the European emergency number, which can direct callers to the appropriate service, or use 15 for medical emergencies, 17 for police and 18 for the fire brigade. Give the exact location, describe the problem clearly and mention any language difficulty; operators can assess the situation and direct assistance. For urgent medical care, emergency departments operate through the French healthcare system, while pharmacies can advise on non-life-threatening problems and identify out-of-hours services. European visitors should carry an EHIC or GHIC where applicable, and travellers from elsewhere should hold suitable insurance details. In an immediate danger, use 112 even if another number is uncertain.
Do's and Don'ts
Greet staff with bonjour when entering shops, cafés or Champagne houses, and use vous in formal or first encounters until invited to be less formal. In restaurants, allow staff to guide the pace of service rather than expecting hurried courses, and remember that service is included even though a small discretionary tip is appreciated. Dress respectfully in Notre-Dame Cathedral and the Basilica of Saint-Remi, and do not touch sculptures, memorials or historic surfaces. Keep voices low during religious services and follow photography instructions. Champagne-cellar visits involve safety rules and tasting etiquette; do not treat the drink as a background to careless consumption. Avoid assuming that every small business operates continuously throughout the day.
Local Tips
The most rewarding orientation route links Notre-Dame, the Palace of Tau and the pedestrian centre before continuing south towards the Basilica of Saint-Remi and the Musée Saint-Remi. The Halles du Boulingrin offers an atmospheric introduction to local produce, while the Canal de l’Aisne à la Marne provides a quieter setting away from the busiest streets. Many Champagne houses lie within walking distance or a short tram or taxi journey of the centre, but smaller producers are scattered through the surrounding vineyards and require more planning. Reims is compact enough for a focused weekend, yet an extra day allows time for the Art Deco heritage and nearby villages of the Montagne de Reims.
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From Eve

Local phrases worth knowing

You don't need to get them perfect. A few words go a long way, and locals appreciate the effort.

6 phrase groups · English, local and pronunciation

Basics
EnglishLocalSay it
HelloBonjour[bon-zhoor]
GoodbyeAu revoir[oh ruh-vwahr]
YesOui[wee]
NoNon[nohn]
Please/You're welcomeS'il vous plaît / De rien[seel voo pleh / duh ryen]
Thank youMerci[mehr-see]
Excuse me/SorryExcusez-moi / Désolé[ex-kew-zay mwa / day-zoh-lay]
How are you?Comment ça va?[koh-mohn sah vah]
Fine. And you?Bien. Et vous?[byen. ay voo]
Do you speak English?Parlez-vous anglais?[par-lay voo ahn-glay]
I don't understandJe ne comprends pas[zhuh nuh kohm-prahnd pah]
Eating & Drinking
EnglishLocalSay it
I'd like to see the menu, pleaseJe voudrais voir le menu, s'il vous plaît[zhuh voo-dray vwahr luh meh-noo, seel voo pleh]
I don't eat meatJe ne mange pas de viande[zhuh nuh mahnj pah duh vee-and]
Cheers!Santé![sahn-tay]
I would like to pay, pleaseJe voudrais payer, s'il vous plaît[zhuh voo-dray pay-yay, seel voo pleh]
Emergencies
EnglishLocalSay it
Help!Au secours![oh suh-koor]
Go away!Allez-vous en![ah-lay voo ahn]
Call the Police!Appelez la police![ah-peh-lay lah pee-lees]
Call a doctor!Appelez un médecin![ah-peh-lay uh meh-deh-sahn]
I'm lostJe suis perdu(e)[zhuh swee pair-doo]
I'm illJe suis malade[zhuh swee mah-lahd]
Shopping
EnglishLocalSay it
I'd like to buy...Je voudrais acheter...[zhuh voo-dray ah-shet-ay]
I'm just lookingJe regarde juste[zhuh ruh-gard joo-st]
How much is it?Combien ça coûte?[kohm-byen sah koot]
That's too expensiveC'est trop cher[say troh shair]
Can you lower the price?Pouvez-vous baisser le prix?[poo-veh voo bay-say luh pree]
Time & Numbers
EnglishLocalSay it
What time is it?Quelle heure est-il?[kel uhr ay-teel]
It's one o'clockIl est une heure[eel ay oon uhr]
Half past (10)Dix et demi[dees ay duh-mee]
MorningMatin[ma-tan]
AfternoonAprès-midi[ah-pray mee-dee]
EveningSoir[swahr]
YesterdayHier[ee-air]
TodayAujourd'hui[oh-zhoor-dwee]
TomorrowDemain[duh-man]
1Un[uhn]
2Deux[duh]
3Trois[twah]
4Quatre[kah-truh]
5Cinq[sank]
6Six[sees]
7Sept[sept]
8Huit[wheat]
9Neuf[nuff]
10Dix[dees]
Transport & Directions
EnglishLocalSay it
Where's a/the...?Où est le/la...?[oo ay luh/lah]
What's the address?Quelle est l'adresse?[kel ay lah-dress]
Can you show me (on the map)?Pouvez-vous me montrer (sur la carte)?[poo-veh voo muh mohn-tray (sur lah kart)]
When's the next (bus)?Quand est le prochain (bus)?[kahn ay luh proh-shahn (bus)]
A ticket (to ....)Un billet (pour ...)[uhn bee-yay (poor)]

History of Reims

Durocortorum and the Remi

Before Roman rule, the area was associated with the Remi, a Belgic people whose principal settlement became Durocortorum. The Romans developed it into the capital of Gallia Belgica and a major centre on the road network linking northern Gaul with the rest of the empire. Its position encouraged administration, commerce and cultural exchange, leaving Reims with a significance far greater than its size might suggest. The Porte de Mars, a monumental Roman arch whose surviving structure dates broadly from the third century, is the most visible reminder of this phase. Archaeological remains and the urban layout also preserve traces of Durocortorum’s importance, even though later construction transformed much of the ancient city.

Clovis and the Christian Kingdom

Reims acquired lasting religious and political importance through its connection with Clovis, king of the Franks. According to the traditional account recorded by Gregory of Tours, Clovis was baptised at Reims around 496 by Bishop Remigius, an event later presented as a foundational moment in the Christian monarchy of France. The precise setting and details have been debated by historians, but the association profoundly shaped the city’s identity. The cult of Saint Remi developed around the bishop’s burial place, eventually giving rise to the Basilica of Saint-Remi and a major religious complex. Reims thus became linked not only with early Frankish Christianity but also with the idea of a sacred French kingship.

The Coronation City

From the coronation of Louis VIII in 1223 to that of Charles X in 1825, Reims hosted the anointing of most French kings, normally in Notre-Dame Cathedral. The ceremony centred on the Sainte Ampoule, a vessel associated with the holy oil used to consecrate the monarch, and gave the city a ceremonial role unmatched by its size. The cathedral, begun in the thirteenth century after an earlier building was badly damaged by fire, was designed on a monumental scale to accommodate royal ritual and religious spectacle. The Palace of Tau served as the archbishop’s residence and as a setting for royal receptions and banquets, together forming the architectural heart of the coronation tradition.

Trade, Textiles and Champagne

Medieval and early modern Reims prospered through religious institutions, commerce and regional production. The city’s fairs and markets connected it with wider trading networks, while textiles, wool and later industrial activity supported its urban economy. The vineyards surrounding Reims gradually became central to its commercial identity. During the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries, controlled secondary fermentation in bottle transformed the region’s wine into the sparkling product now known as Champagne, and merchant houses developed the expertise, brand networks and cellar infrastructure associated with it. Ancient chalk quarries beneath the city provided stable conditions for ageing bottles. This commercial transformation linked Reims increasingly to an international luxury market.

War and Reconstruction

Reims was heavily affected by the First World War, when fighting and bombardment damaged or destroyed much of the urban fabric, including parts of Notre-Dame Cathedral. The cathedral’s image became an international symbol of wartime cultural loss, while its later conservation reflected the importance of preserving France’s medieval heritage. Reconstruction in the 1920s did not simply recreate the pre-war city. Architects introduced modern materials, geometric decoration and Art Deco principles alongside restored historic buildings. The Carnegie Library, funded by American philanthropist Andrew Carnegie, embodies this period of civic renewal. Reims therefore possesses a distinctive architectural dialogue between medieval monuments, reconstructed streets and interwar modernism.

Reims in Contemporary France

After the Second World War, Reims expanded as an administrative, educational and commercial centre for Champagne and north-eastern France. Modern transport strengthened its links with Paris and the surrounding region, while the preservation of the cathedral, Saint-Remi complex and Champagne heritage supported cultural tourism. The city’s historical monuments and Champagne houses now form part of a broader identity that includes museums, design, food culture and university life. Reims also remains connected to the vineyards of the Montagne de Reims and the Marne Valley, whose landscapes and village communities shape the region’s economy. Its contemporary character is consequently founded on both urban renewal and an enduring relationship with the countryside.

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Evendo: Your Ultimate Travel Guide to Reims, France

Discover Reims with Evendo - a 100% free app-based travel guide. Explore attractions, landmarks, shops, bars, restaurants, and more to plan your perfect trip.

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Unlock the wonders of Reims, France with Evendo, your comprehensive and free travel guide app. Find attractions, book experiences, and explore the city like a local.

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Welcome to Reims, the jewel of the Champagne region, and your next unforgettable destination. With Evendo, planning your trip is a breeze. Our app offers detailed information on all the best attractions, landmarks, shops, bars, nightclubs, restaurants, hotels, tours, experiences, and activities. Imagine standing before the grandeur of the Reims Cathedral or exploring the historic Palais du Tau, all with the guidance of Evendo in your pocket.

Discover hidden gems and famous hotspots like the Champagne houses of Taittinger and Pommery, or dine at renowned restaurants such as Le Millénaire. Our app provides rich descriptions, images, local tips, maps, and contact details for each location, making it easy to plan and organize your visit. No need to worry about finding tickets or booking tours – Evendo has it all in one place.

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