Reims is a compact city where most sights can be reached on foot or by tram. In a weekend you can discover its UNESCO-listed heritage, go down into the cellars of a great Champagne house and enjoy its lively streets. Here is the itinerary we recommend to our guests.
Day 1: historic Reims
Morning: Notre-Dame Cathedral. A masterpiece of Gothic art, this is where the kings of France were crowned for almost a thousand years. Entry is free: take time to admire the façade and its hundreds of statues, including the famous Smiling Angel, then the stained-glass windows by Marc Chagall. Guided tours and tower climbs are offered depending on the season.
Next door: the Palace of Tau. The former archbishops’ palace hosted the kings before their coronation. Today it houses the cathedral treasury and original statues from the façade. Allow about an hour.
Afternoon: the Basilica and Museum of Saint-Remi. About twenty minutes’ walk from the cathedral, the former Abbey of Saint-Remi is also a UNESCO World Heritage site. The basilica, older than the cathedral, is free to visit; the museum next door traces the history of Reims from Antiquity to the Renaissance.
In the evening, head to Place Drouet-d’Erlon, the main pedestrian street lined with restaurants and terraces, for dinner and to soak up the atmosphere of the city centre.
Day 2: Champagne day
You can’t come to Reims without visiting a Champagne house. Most of the great houses (Pommery, Taittinger, Veuve Clicquot, Ruinart, Mumm, Lanson…) offer tours of their chalk cellars followed by a tasting. Book several days ahead, especially at weekends: slots fill up quickly.
Pommery, Taittinger and Ruinart are grouped on the Saint-Nicaise hill, so you can easily visit two in one day. Between tours, the nearby Parc de Champagne is perfect for a break. Find all our tips in our article Visiting the Champagne houses in Reims.
Practical tips
- The historic centre is easy to explore on foot; the Citura trams and buses cover longer trips.
- Book your cellar tours before you arrive, and check the opening times of the cathedral and the Palace of Tau on their official websites.
- Coming by car? Read our guide Getting around and parking in Reims.
Stay in Reims with Opus Reims
Our Opus Reims Robespierre apartment is a bright two-bedroom flat for up to 6 guests near Place Luton, a few minutes from the tram: equipped kitchen, fibre wifi, washing machine and self check-in. Book direct on our website for the best price.