If you’d like to walk in the footsteps of 33 French kings, admire wonderful architecture and artwork, and enjoy all of these elements with a glass of the finest fizz in hand, then Reims in France’s Champagne region is the place to go.
Just a 45-minute train journey from Paris, this small yet majestic city is surrounded by vineyards, underlining the longstanding and most important product of the region: Champagne. But Reims has so much more to offer visitors than simply its Champagne houses. With a history dating back to Roman times, a museum marking the spot where the Second World War ended, a vibrant art scene, and some culinary gems, it’s the perfect destination for culture, food, and history lovers. Read on for our top five ways to explore this delightful city.
Visit Reims’ famous cathedral where French kings were once crowned
A UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Cathedral of Notre-Dame de Reims has a unique claim to fame: Between the years of 816 and 1825 this was the place where 33 French kings were crowned. Today, visitors flock to admire the ornate and intricate carving on the exterior of this imposing Gothic building. Angels, saints, and kings grace the façade, immortalized in golden stone that catches the sunlight, illuminating their lifelike features. Inside the building are some spectacular stained-glass windows, including some more contemporary versions by artist Marc Chagall.
Discover hidden treasures above and below ground at a boutique Champagne house
Built on the site of a former brewery, Champagne G.H. Martel has a number of hidden historical treasures that visitors can discover on a special tour. One of the two tasting rooms has ceiling girders from the atelier of Gustave Eiffel, which are similar in appearance to those on his famous tower in Paris. Below ground, a series of UNESCO-listed medieval chalk caves called “Crayères,” dug between the 4th and 15th centuries, make a fascinating museum. They contain a collection of antique tools, machinery, and equipment used in the process of planting grapes and making Champagne. Knowledgeable guides explain the process at every turn, and the tour ends with a tasting of the delicious house Champagnes. But there is one last surprise: Two sections of wall are embellished with graffiti from both World Wars, engraved into the soft chalk surface by soldiers taking shelter in these remarkable underground caves.
Enjoy a two-Michelin-starred meal in a century-old chateau
Set in landscaped parkland within the city limits, Domaine Les Crayères is a five-star hotel housed in a beautiful century-old chateau. Decorated in elegant French style with Aubusson tapestries, twinkling chandeliers, and rich fabrics throughout, this stunning property embodies the French art de vivre—the art of living.
Gourmands will appreciate the two-Michelin-starred restaurant Le Parc. Here, in an opulent dining room, Chef Christophe Moret transforms the finest seasonal ingredients into exquisitely presented gastronomic dishes. There’s a more relaxed dining option at Brasserie Le Jardin, a modern-looking restaurant with a gorgeous terrace.
Soak up the atmosphere of a traditional French market in a historic early-20th-century building
Built to replace market halls that were destroyed during World War I, Les Halles de Boulingrin sport a parabolic arch design, the brainchild of architect Émile Maigrot and engineer Eugène Freyssinet. The distinctive and highly Instagrammable 1920s curves conceal a market—a huge feature of city life in Reims. On Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday mornings, it is filled with the finest and freshest produce of the region, which locals and tourists alike hurry to buy.
Discover classical architecture and striking modern artworks at a famous Champagne House
Domaine Vranken Pommery sits atop a gentle hill overlooking the city, with a fine view of Reims’ magnificent cathedral. The blue buildings of the chateau match the often-clear skies, their architecture inspired by the Scottish and Welsh castles that Madame Pommery—the force behind the estate—visited during her youth. Widowed at age 39, this 19th-century visionary invented the first-ever brut (dry) champagne. Before 1874, champagne tended to be extremely sweet.
Today, the estate is a must-visit. There’s the quirky architecture of the vat house, hectares of vines very close to the city, and a huge tasting room with a giant barrel carved by master craftsman Emile Gallé. But the jewel in the crown is the extensive chalk cellars, accessible by a long staircase. They work as an unusual gallery space, playing host to a series of fabulous exhibitions of modern art and installations.
