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Reims Opera house By Thomon -Wikimedia

Top 10 Things to do in Reims

Reims is a north-eastern French city in the Grand Est region. It is known for its many champagne houses where one can take cellar tours and also take part in wine tasting.

The grand Cathédrale Notre-Dame de Reims is one place you cannot afford to miss while here. It was where the coronation of French Kings happened for thousands of years.

There are a ton of things to do in Reims. You can visit the museums rich with Reim’s history, the beautiful chapels, view the elaborate art pieces in the art galleries and indulge in some French delicacies.

A brief history of this city is that it was founded by the Gauls. The Romans dominated them in the 3^rd century and the evidence of their occupation still stands, you can visit these sights while here.

Here are the top 10 things to do in Reims.

1. Visit the Cathédrale Notre Dame

Reims Cathedral By G.GaritanDerivative-Wikimedia

First on the list is the ever-imposing unmissable grand cathedral that was built in 1211. This cathedral stands out with its stained-glass windows, the Gothic carved doorways and of course the smiling angel.

It is a symbolic landmark at the heart of the city that attracts thousands of tourists every year. The Notre Dame is a UNESCO World Heritage site and has a special place in the heart of the community around it because of its history.

AS mentioned earlier, coronation ceremonies took place in this cathedral for centuries. It is also where the first French Christian King, Clovis, was baptized in the 5^th century.

One feature of the cathedral that is a must-see is the Sourire de Reims also known as the smiling angel. A tour inside the cathedral will dazzle you because of how massive it is. The Gothic organ case, 12-petaled rose window and the astronomical clock that was built in the 12^th century.

The ambience inside is sombre and it is reflected by the several stained-glass windows. The stained-glass windows were replaced with new ones by Marc Chagall and Imi Knoebel, a German artist.

A visit to this cathedral will be worth your while.

Practical Information

Address: 6 Parvis Notre-Dame – Place Jean-Paul II, 75004 Â鶹APP

Website:

2. Take a tour of Palace of Tau

The palace of Tau is another place that needs to be on your list of things to do while in Reims.

It is a UNESCO World Heritage site and is where the coronation entourage would head to for a feast after the official ceremony at the cathedral.

It also served as the treasury of the cathedral and was the former residence of the archbishop.

A tour inside this episcopal palace will introduce you to a collection of tapestries, religious relics, repositories and statues. One feature not to miss while here is the 9th-century amulet belonging to Charlemagne and the chalice of Saint Remi from the 12^th century.

You will also get to see the Holy Ampulla for the importance that contained the anointing oil used in the coronation of King Louis VII in 1131 to Louis XVI in 1774.

Walking through this palace, one cannot help but visualize the past royal events that happened in there.

Practical Information

Address: Palais du Tau, 2 Place du Cardinal Luçon, Reims

Website:

Opening Hours: Tuesday to Sunday; 9.45 a.m. – 12.30 p.m.; 2.00 p.m. – 6.15 p.m.

By Car: From Â鶹APP to Strasbourg A4, from Lyon or Lille A26 Exit Reims-Cathédrale

Metro: At least 45 minutes from Â鶹APP with the TGV Est

3. Basilique Saint-Rémi

Basilica Saint-Remi By Daniel Vorndran-Wikimedia

Saint Remi Basilica is one of the oldest churches in Reims. This building is an excellent representation of the early Romanesque monuments in Reims. It also another UNESCO World Heritage Site.

It was named after Bishop Remigius and was built between 1005 and 1049 to serve as a Benedictine abbey. It was built on a site that was previously a Carolingian chapel from the 8^th century. The church attracted many pilgrims back then.

The outside of the Basilica is Gothic while the inside has Romanesque features. The nave which is from the 11^th century is surrounded by 12^th Century stained glass windows that flood it with soft light.

The choir and the chapels elucidate a tranquil Gothic style that stirs a divine air. The tomb of Saint Remi who lived from 440 BC to 533 BC is housed here and it has been a place of worship since the 8^th century.

This building suffered damage during World War I and it took 40 years to repair it. The Basilica is not only open to the public but hosts music concerts too.

Practical Information

Address: Rue Saint-Julien, 51100 Reims

Website:

4. Musée des Beaux Arts

The museum of fine arts is a true representation of this city which boasts of rich art and history. The collection in this museum includes paintings, drawings, statues, art objects, and antique furniture.

These collections date back to the 16^th and 20^th century and showcase French and European artworks evolution from the renaissance era to the modern era. There are religious art pieces such as the landscape paintings from the 19^th century and impressionist paintings by Monet, Renoir and Pissarro.

This 18th-century monastery turned museum houses one of the four versions of ‘The Death of Marat’ by Jacques-Louis David. The artworks found in this museum are from the region’s aristocracy that was seized.

More artworks were donated to this museum and have expanded its collection. There are at least 27 art collections from Camille Coroy, a well-known landscape artist. This collection is the second largest in the world.

Practical Information

Address: 8 Rue Chanzy, Reims

Website:

5. Musée de la Reddition

This museum houses the French history of World War II and thousands of tourists have it on their list of things to do while in Reims.

This museum has kept the memory of the Eisenhower’s headquarters and has a recreation of the operations room of the Allied forces. It stands out from the rest of the attractions in the museum.

As you explore this museum, one gets taken back down memory lane to the warfare through the war objects, souvenirs, and models that are still in pristine condition.

This very building is where the German General Jodl made the historic announcement of unconditional surrender on 7^th May 1945. This announcement was then announced in the Allied capitals the following day.

There are also fascinating data about the French Resistance.

Practical Information

Address: 12 Rue du Franklin Roosevelt, Reims

Website:

6. Tour Champagne houses

Reims is known as champagne capital, if you love your wine and happen to be in the city then this tour is perfect for you. It is a short bus ride to the picturesque countryside.

The champagne houses have been in this city since the 18^th century. There are several of them that one might be torn between which to visit. Some of the well-known houses are the Mumm, Veuve Clicquot-Ponsardin, Tattinger and Maison Ruinart.

Maison Ruinart was the first to be established and has underground tunnels stretching 40 metres and is a protected historical site.

These tunnels are similar to all the other houses, they are chalk tunnels that give the perfect temperature and humidity for the fermentation in the bottles for that fizzle and bubble in your glass.

Some of the wine cellars are in Roman stone quarries that go back to the 4^th century while some are from the 13^th century dug by Benedictine monks.

Taking this tour will also give you the chance to taste and pair wine and chocolate. You will also get to experience winemaking masterclass from expert winemakers and master chocolatier.

Enjoy a bubbly before heading back to the city.

7. Porte de Mars

Porte de Mars By Clelie Mascaret – Wikimedia

Porte de Mars is an ancient Roman arch in Reims that dates back to the 3^rd century and was once the widest arch in the Roman world. It is 32 metres long and 13 metres high, the arch got its name from a nearby temple of Mars.

This Corinthian-style arch has detailed carvings on its exterior and the ceiling of the three passageways. Some of the carvings on the arch resemble Roman mythology like Jupiter, Leda, Romulus and Remus.

Legend has it that it was built to show gratitude to the Romans who built major roads to Reims, directing trade to the city. The arch was also built to pay tribute to Emperor Augustus.

The arch was once part of a castle and a city gate until the 16^th century. In the early 19^th century, the adjacent buildings were demolished and the beauty of the arch stood out.

Practical Information

Address: Place de la République, 51100 Reims

Website:

8. Villa Demoiselle

Villa Demoiselle is another place that is worth visiting while in Reims. It is a prominent monument that many would take for a private residence.

It was built in the early 20^th century during the art nouveau era but was abandoned between 1980 and 1990s.  Paul-Francois Vranken later renovated the building in 2004. He spent a good sum of money to restore the Villa to its current state.

The interior of Villa Demoiselle is warm and welcoming with unique graceful chairs made by Gustave Serrurier-Bovy, and Emile Galle, the ceiling was made by a Cuir de Cordoue.

Practical Information

Address: 56 Boulevard Henry Vasnier, 51100 Reims

Website:

9. Learn at the Musée Automobile Reims Champagne

If you are a car enthusiast and would love a history lesson on the French vehicles, then this is the place to go to.

There are more than 230 cars on display with the oldest vehicle being from 1908. Most of the vehicles in this museum are from car manufacturers that have long closed shops such as Delage, Chenard-Walcker, Berliet and Salmson. Some of the vehicles in this museum are the last available models in the world.

There is a bike collection too with over 5000 toy cars and miniatures on display.

Practical Information

Address: 84 Avenue Georges Clemenceau, 51100 Reims

Website:

10. Visit the Chapelle Foujita

Chapelle Foujita By G̩rald Garitan РWikimedia

While on the champagne tour, visit the Mumm Champagne house for some amazing treasures in one of the caves. A Japanese painter, Tsuguharu Foujita designed a chapel during his stay there in the 1960s.

He painted amazing murals on the wall of the chapel, this was after he converted to Christianity a decade earlier. Inside this chapel, one cannot miss seeing how his faith reflected in his oriental work.

Practical Information

Address: 33 Rue du Champ de Mars, 51100 Reims

Website: