Reims Activities Guide: Cathedral Tours, Champagne Houses, and Art Deco Walks

Last updated: February 24, 2026

Reims, the historic coronation city of French kings, offers visitors a remarkable concentration of cultural, architectural, and gastronomic experiences. With three UNESCO World Heritage sites, world-famous champagne houses, and one of Europe's finest collections of Art Deco architecture, this compact city packs an extraordinary range of activities into walkable distances.

Whether you're a history buff, architecture enthusiast, wine lover, or simply seeking authentic French culture, Reims delivers memorable experiences that rival those of Paris—without the crowds or exhausting scale.

UNESCO World Heritage Sites

Reims boasts three separate UNESCO World Heritage designations, reflecting its extraordinary historical significance.

Cathédrale Notre-Dame de Reims

Address: Place du Cardinal Luçon GPS: 49.2534° N, 4.0339° E Hours: Daily 7:30 AM-7:30 PM (until 9:00 PM in summer) Admission: Free (donations appreciated)

The Notre-Dame Cathedral of Reims stands as one of the supreme achievements of Gothic architecture. Larger than Notre-Dame de Paris, this 13th-century masterpiece features:

2,303 sculpted figures adorning its facades, including the famous "Smiling Angel" (L'Ange au Sourire)
Stunning stained glass windows, including modern designs by Marc Chagall (1974) alongside medieval originals
The Gallery of Kings, depicting the monarchs crowned at Reims
Exceptional acoustics that make it a premier venue for classical music concerts

Guided Cathedral Tours:

Standard guided tour: 90 minutes, €9 (free with Reims Epernay Pass)
Tower climb: Available through Palais du Tau, weather permitting, €5
Audio guide: €4, available in 8 languages
Family tours: Special children's tours during school holidays

Practical Tips:

Visit early morning (before 9:00 AM) or late afternoon to avoid tour groups
The west facade photographs best in morning light
Check the cathedral's website for concert schedules—hearing music here is transformative
Dress modestly (shoulders and knees covered) as this remains an active place of worship

Palais du Tau

Address: 2 Place du Cardinal Luçon GPS: 49.2531° N, 4.0342° E Hours: Currently closed for renovation (check official website for reopening) Expected admission when reopened: €8 (free with Reims Epernay Pass)

This former archbishop's palace, where French kings stayed before and after their coronations, houses an exceptional museum of royal artifacts. Though currently closed for extensive renovations, when reopened it will display:

Coronation regalia including Charlemagne's talisman
Tapestries from the 16th and 17th centuries
The cathedral treasury, including reliquaries and liturgical objects
Interactive exhibits explaining the coronation ceremony

Basilique Saint-Remi

Address: 1 Rue Saint-Julien GPS: 49.2436° N, 4.0419° E Hours: Daily 8:00 AM-7:00 PM (until 8:00 PM in summer) Admission: Free; museum €5 (free with Reims Epernay Pass)

This remarkable basilica combines Romanesque and Gothic architectural styles in a harmonious whole. Named after Saint Remi, who baptized Clovis (the first Christian king of the Franks) in 496 AD, the church contains:

A 12th-century nave with soaring Gothic vaults
The Saint Remi shrine, a masterpiece of medieval goldsmith work
Exceptional stained glass spanning five centuries
The attached museum housed in former Benedictine abbey buildings, tracing human history from prehistory to the Renaissance

Guided Tours:

Basilica tour: 90 minutes, €9 (free with Reims Epernay Pass)
Combined basilica + museum: Allow 2-2.5 hours total

Summer Highlight: Luminiscence From June through September, the basilica hosts an evening sound and light show (€15-18) featuring 360° video mapping that transforms the building's interior into a magical spectacle. Shows at 10:00 PM and 11:00 PM; book tickets in advance.

Champagne House Tours

No visit to Reims is complete without exploring the chalk cellars (crayères) where champagne ages. The Coteaux, Maisons et Caves de Champagne have been UNESCO-listed since 2015.

Veuve Clicquot

Address: 1 Place des Droits de l'Homme GPS: 49.2456° N, 4.0302° E Hours: Daily 9:30 AM-6:00 PM (last tour 4:30 PM) Tours: €32-65 depending on experience

The "Grande Dame of Champagne" offers the most polished visitor experience. Tours descend 20 meters into Gallo-Roman chalk quarries where millions of bottles age. The standard tour (€32) includes one glass; the premium experience (€65) features three cuvées and a food pairing.

Book: veuveclicquot.com (essential for weekends)

Taittinger

Address: 9 Place Saint-Nicaise GPS: 49.2478° N, 4.0315° E Hours: Daily 9:30 AM-5:30 PM Tours: €25-45

Taittinger's cellars occupy 13th-century chalk quarries with the deepest galleries in Reims. The house specializes in Blanc de Blancs (100% Chardonnay), and their Comtes de Champagne is legendary. Tours are intimate and informative, with tastings in atmospheric underground chambers.

Book: taittinger.fr

Pommery

Address: 5 Place du Général Gouraud GPS: 49.2423° N, 4.0298° E Hours: Daily 9:30 AM-6:00 PM Tours: €24-38

Madame Pommery's eccentric 19th-century vision created not just a champagne house but an artistic destination. The domain features contemporary art installations throughout the cellars and grounds. The house style is fresh and elegant, with an emphasis on Chardonnay.

Book: pommery.com

Ruinart

Address: 4 Rue des Crayères GPS: 49.2435° N, 4.0305° E Hours: Tuesday-Saturday 10:00 AM-6:00 PM Tours: €35-70 (by appointment only)

The oldest established champagne house (1729) offers the most exclusive experience. Small-group tours (maximum 8 people) descend 38 meters into the deepest crayères in Reims. The focus is on education and appreciation rather than volume tourism.

Book: ruinart.com (weeks in advance required)

G.H. Martel

Address: 17 Rue des Creneaux GPS: 49.2541° N, 4.0321° E Hours: Monday-Saturday 10:00 AM-12:00 PM, 2:00-6:00 PM Tours: €20-35

A family-owned house offering a more intimate, less commercialized experience. Tours include both medieval cellars and modern production facilities, providing comprehensive insight into champagne-making from grape to glass.

Art Deco Architecture Tour

Reims possesses one of Europe's finest concentrations of Art Deco architecture, the result of extensive reconstruction after World War I devastation. The city was rebuilt in the 1920s and 1930s with architects free to create a modern vision.

Self-Guided Walking Route (approximately 2 hours):

Halles du Boulingrin (48 Rue de Mars): The stunning covered market, restored to its 1929 glory
Brasserie du Boulingrin (same building): Art Deco interior preserved since 1925
La Maison Bleue (44 Rue de l'Arbalète): A striking blue-tiled apartment building
The Fire Station (Rue de Vesle): Functional beauty in civic architecture
Cinéma Opéra (Rue de la Thiole): Former theater with preserved Art Deco facade
Les Bains Douchs (Rue du Champ de Mars): Public bathhouse with original fittings

Guided Tours: The Tourist Office offers Art Deco walking tours every Sunday at 10:30 AM (€9, free with Reims Epernay Pass). Professional guides reveal details invisible to casual observers—hidden sculptures, symbolic motifs, and the stories behind the buildings.

Museums & Cultural Attractions

Musée Saint-Remi

Address: 53 Rue Simon GPS: 49.2436° N, 4.0419° E Hours: Tuesday-Sunday 10:00 AM-12:00 PM, 2:00-6:00 PM Admission: €5 (free with Reims Epernay Pass)

Housed in the former royal abbey of Saint-Remi, this museum presents an extraordinary collection spanning prehistory to the Renaissance:

Gallo-Roman artifacts from the region's ancient past
Medieval religious art including tapestries and sculpture
The Saint Remi treasure: goldsmith work and liturgical objects
Military history: including artifacts from the Hundred Years' War

Allow 1.5-2 hours for a thorough visit.

Musée de la Reddition (Surrender Museum)

Address: 12 Rue Franklin Roosevelt GPS: 49.2412° N, 4.0198° E Hours: Daily 10:00 AM-6:00 PM Admission: €5 (free for under 26)

On May 7, 1945, General Eisenhower accepted Germany's unconditional surrender in this former school building, ending World War II in Europe. The museum preserves the room exactly as it appeared that day, with original maps, documents, and furniture. A powerful, moving experience that puts history in tangible form.

Musée Automobile Reims-Champagne

Address: 84 Avenue Georges Clemenceau GPS: 49.2334° N, 4.0089° E Hours: Wednesday-Sunday 10:00 AM-12:00 PM, 2:00-6:00 PM Admission: €10

One of France's finest automobile museums, featuring over 200 vehicles from the early 20th century to the 1980s. Highlights include rare Bugattis, pre-war Mercedes, and an extensive collection of French marques. Even non-enthusiasts appreciate the beauty of these mechanical sculptures.

Maison Fossier Biscuit Factory Tour

Address: 25 Rue du Cerf GPS: 49.2534° N, 4.0312° E Hours: Monday-Friday by appointment; Saturday 10:00 AM, 11:00 AM, 2:00 PM, 3:00 PM, 4:00 PM Admission: €5 (free with Reims Epernay Pass)

The oldest biscuit factory in France (founded 1756) opens its doors for 45-minute tours. Watch the famous pink biscuits being made, learn their history, and enjoy generous tastings. The attached shop sells exclusive products not available elsewhere.

Outdoor Activities & Nature

Parc de la Patte d'Oie

GPS: 49.2445° N, 4.0256° E Hours: Open daily, dawn to dusk Admission: Free

This beautiful park, laid out in the 19th century, offers manicured gardens, tree-lined promenades, and peaceful corners perfect for picnics. The name ("Goose Foot") refers to the park's shape, with three avenues radiating from a central point like a goose's foot.

Promenade dans les Crayères

Location: Various points around the city

Several of Reims' champagne houses offer tours of their above-ground gardens and parks, which sit atop the famous chalk cellars. Pommery and Veuve Clicquot have particularly beautiful grounds open to tour visitors.

Cycling in the Champagne Vineyards

Rental: Reims Cyclo (12 Rue de l'Arbalète), €15-25/day

Several marked cycling routes lead from Reims into the surrounding vineyards:

The Montagne de Reims loop: 35 km through Grand Cru villages including Verzenay and Mailly
The Marne Valley route: 45 km toward Épernay, following the river through picturesque villages
Reims to Épernay: 25 km each way, possible as a day trip with lunch in Épernay

Bike rentals include maps and route suggestions. Electric bikes available for €30-40/day.

Balloon Flights

Operator: France Montgolfières Price: €220-280 per person Season: April-October

Experience Champagne from above with sunrise hot air balloon flights departing from Reims. Float silently over vineyards, forests, and villages as the morning light illuminates the landscape. Flights include champagne toast upon landing and last approximately 3 hours total (1 hour in the air).

Day Trips from Reims

Épernay and the Avenue de Champagne

Distance: 25 km south Travel: Train (20 minutes, €7), car (25 minutes), or bike (1.5 hours)

Champagne's other great city features the famous Avenue de Champagne, where major houses including Moët & Chandon, Perrier-Jouët, and Pol Roger line a grand boulevard. The town is more compact than Reims, with a charming central square and excellent restaurants.

Must-do: Mercier Champagne tour includes a train ride through their extensive cellars (€24).

Verdun and the WWI Battlefields

Distance: 65 km northeast Travel: Car (1 hour) or organized tour

The site of the longest and costliest battle of World War I, Verdun is a powerful memorial to the 700,000 soldiers who died here. The Douaumont Ossuary, Fort de Douaumont, and surrounding battlefields create an unforgettable experience of remembrance.

Château-Thierry and the Marne Valley

Distance: 50 km southwest Travel: Train (40 minutes) or car (45 minutes)

This charming town on the Marne River was the childhood home of Jean de La Fontaine, France's beloved fabulist. Visit his house-museum, explore the medieval town center, and enjoy riverside dining.

Laon

Distance: 45 km north Travel: Train (35 minutes) or car (40 minutes)

Perched dramatically on a rocky outcrop, Laon's medieval citadel features one of France's finest Gothic cathedrals and remarkably preserved ramparts. The views over the surrounding plains are spectacular.

Shopping & Local Experiences

Place Drouet d'Erlon

The city's main pedestrian square buzzes with cafes, restaurants, and shops. It's the perfect place to sit with a coffee and watch Reims life unfold.

Rue de Vesle

Reims' primary shopping street connects the train station to the cathedral, with major French brands and local boutiques.

Marché aux Puces (Flea Market)

Location: Parking Boulingrin Hours: Saturday and Sunday 8:00 AM-6:00 PM

Hunt for vintage champagne buckets, antique glassware, and regional curiosities at this weekend market.

Practical Information

Reims Epernay Pass

Price: €20 (24 hours) or €28 (48 hours) Available at: Tourist Office, participating attractions

This tourist card offers exceptional value:

Free entry to Palais du Tau, Musée Saint-Remi, and other museums
Free guided tours (cathedral, Art Deco, basilica)
Discounts at champagne houses (typically €3-5 off)
Free use of public transportation
Discounts at select restaurants

Break-even: The pass pays for itself with just two museum visits and one guided tour.

Best Times to Visit

Spring (April-June): Pleasant weather, blooming gardens, fewer crowds than summer Summer (July-August): Peak season, longer hours, but book champagne tours well in advance Fall (September-November): Grape harvest atmosphere, beautiful autumn colors in vineyards Winter (December-March): Christmas market (December), cozy atmosphere, lower prices

Getting Around

Walking: The city center is compact; most attractions are within 15 minutes' walk of each other Public Transport: CITURA buses and trams cover the wider city (€1.70 single ticket) Taxi/Rideshare: Uber operates in Reims; taxis available at train station Bike: Vélo'C bike share system (€1/day subscription + usage fees)

Recommended Itineraries

One Day in Reims:

Morning: Cathedral visit (9:00 AM, before crowds)
Late morning: Champagne house tour (book 11:00 AM)
Lunch: Brasserie du Boulingrin
Afternoon: Art Deco walking tour or Palais du Tau
Late afternoon: Place Drouet d'Erlon for shopping/apéritif

Two Days in Reims:

Day 1: Cathedral, champagne house, Art Deco tour, dinner at a brasserie
Day 2: Basilique Saint-Remi, Musée Saint-Remi, second champagne house, evening at wine bar

Three Days in Reims:

Day 3: Day trip to Épernay or Verdun, or cycling in vineyards

Final Thoughts

Reims rewards visitors who take time to look beyond the obvious. Yes, the cathedral and champagne houses are unmissable, but the city's true charm lies in its details—the Art Deco doorway you almost missed, the small champagne bar where the owner explains the difference between growers and houses, the quiet garden where locals read newspapers on Sunday mornings.

This is a city that has witnessed coronations and surrenders, destruction and rebirth. Today, it offers a uniquely accessible slice of French culture, where world-class experiences exist alongside everyday pleasures. Come for the champagne, stay for the atmosphere, and leave with memories of one of France's most underrated destinations.