At only an hour from Paris, Reims lies at the crossroads of Europe's motorways:
A4 – E50 (Paris-Strasbourg), A34 (Ardennes – Belgium), A26 – E17 (Calais – Dijon – Lyon).
Reims, whose population is now almost 200,000, has always been at the centre of the great events in French history, even as far back as antiquity.
Its rich and varied past can still be detected in its many prestigious monuments, not least of which are Notre Dame cathedral and Saint Remi basilica. You can't fail to enjoy strolling around its streets in pursuit of a Gallo-Roman triumphal arch or an art deco façade…
At the end of the 5C, the baptism of Clovis, king of the Franks, by Remi the bishop of Reims laid the foundations of the kingdom of France and led on to Europe's conversion to Christianity.
As the city in which the French kings were traditionally crowned, Reims has always featured in the country's royal history.
It was in Reims that the German armed forces signed their surrender on 7 May 1945 and it was also in Reims that General de Gaulle and Chancellor Adenauer ratified Franco-German reconciliation in 1962.
The city of champagne has 250 km (155 miles) of underground cellars and Gallo-Roman chalk galleries (“crayères”). The leading champagne Houses will be happy to introduce you to the secrets of the world's most famous wine.
A dynamic city with a busy calendar of events, Reims has much to offer, such as the Flâneries Musicales d'Eté de Reims (summer promenade concerts) with a hundred or so free concerts (anything from classical music to jazz), the Fêtes Johanniques and the Sacres du Folklore with its cast of 2,000 acting out Joan of Arc's historic procession towards the cathedral, a sound and light show (Musique et Lumière) at Saint-Remi basilica, etc.
As if that weren't enough, there are also the Rencontres Internationales de Télévision, the Christmas Village, Reims international marathon, the athletics meeting, and more besides.
Tourist Office
Opening times
- From Easter to mid-October:
Monday to Saturday from 9am to 7pm; Sunday & public holidays from 10am to 6pm.
Close 25 December and 1 January. - From mid-October to Easter:
Monday to Saturday from 10am to 6pm; Sunday & public holidays from 11am to 4pm.
Services
- Hotel bookings for the same day
- Foreign exchange office
- Audio-guided visits:
All year, walking tour of the city and cathedral for private individuals. Rental of an MP3 audio guide. Languages – French, English, German, Italian, Spanish and Dutch. Basic rate: €5. - “Regards sur la Ville”:
Starting at Easter, guided tours for individuals with a guide-lecturer. Different themes (cathedral, vineyards, night visit, art deco, etc.). Basic rate: €5.50. - Pass'Citadine:
A day pass includes:
Reims by bus… A day ticket for unlimited travel until 00.30am on all the city's bus lines.
Your tailor-made journey
- A multi-entry pass for visiting six museums (valid one month).
- A cellar visit and tasting at a prestigious champagne House
- A gastronomic break to enjoy Maison Fossier's famous “Biscuits Roses” .
Sale of all-inclusive stays for private individuals – weekends and public holidays
