It’s all too easy to talk about bubbles when mentioning Reims, the entry point to France’s everescent Champagne region.
But it’s not just the grapes that bubble; it’s the history beneath the tipsy old streets, the modern art found in vineyards, and the echoes of kings in the monumental Notre Dame de Reims, where many of France’s legendary rulers were crowned.
What makes Reims truly evocative, however, is the life found at the street level, where vibrant French cafe culture and excellent restaurants meet fascinating ruins and stunning boutique hotels.
Where to Eat and Drink in Reims
Reims began to change when the high-speed TGV train line from Paris Est was finished, allowing Parisians to choose the town over the traditionally more expensive Parisian suburbs.
Now, the Paris effect is in full swing, with brilliant restaurants and surprisingly cosmopolitan bars filling in the gaps in what was once viewed as little more than a stopover between Paris and the Champagne region. Besides, the famous Le Café du Palais Reims has some more casual but cozy places to drink, eat, and socialize.
Birds and Twigs Cafe
112 rue de Vesle à Reims, 51100 Reims
A new addition to Reims’ growing cafe culture and particularly popular with the youthful student population, Birds and Twigs boasts a cozy winter garden with a central tree and an ornate glass roof, allowing for natural light to flood the eco-minimalist interiors during the day.
Prices are affordable, and the menu is surprisingly international — with locally sourced coffee alongside teas and specials served with eclectic plates of food inspired as much by Korea and the USA as they are by France.
Le Clos Bar
Champagne-Ardenne, 25 Rue du Temple, 51100 Reims
This lively central bar takes its design cues from the school of maximalism — with bottles stacked on tables, chandeliers hanging from ceilings, and chairs in reds, golds, and blacks. In the summer months, the terrace is often packed with locals gathered around barrels, and the wine list is extensive, with specials presented on boards at the table.
There are cocktails, too, and the food is inexpensive and satisfying — a great spot for anyone wanting to experience a more roisterous side of Reims.
En Aparthé
23 Rue Chanzy, 51100 Reims
With a saccharine femininity, the decor at En Aparthé calls to mind the chicest little spots in London’s Chelsea, with flowers often adorning the entrance and cozy decor framing distressed woods, old pottery, and dried flowers hanging from the ceiling.
It’s an excellent choice for breakfast and lunch (as well as a reasonably priced brunch option), with small bites and cakes available all day. The coffees and teas are served with charming touches of color in the form of edible flowers.
Au Cul de Poule
46 boulevard Carteret, 51100, Reims
Delightfully vintage and unapologetically classic, Au Cul de Pouleoffers a creative twist on traditional French cuisine in a convivial setting that’s a staple on the Reims dining scene. The food is well-presented, and the wine list is lengthened by a focus on hyper-locality, with all the big Champagne houses represented alongside smaller growers in the region.
The cozy interiors feature dark woods and aged paintings — an ideal setting for an evening of unpretentious dining among locals.
Arbane
7 Rue Noël, 51100 Reims
Chef Philippe Mille made his name at Le Parc des Crayères, but after 15 years at the helm of someone else’s kitchen, it was time in 2024 to helm his own. Enter Arbane — named after the local white grape.
The setting is a beautiful 19th-century building with a chic contemporary interior whose natural shades reference the terroir of the region. In fact, Arbane’s entire concept is set to evoke the details of the vineyards, with the chef preparing delicate French cuisine elevated by local ingredients over vine branches.
And there’s a deep and well-curated champagne list for those wanting to dive headfirst into the bubbles.
Champagne Tastings in Reims
It’s not possible to visit Reims and ignore the Champagne. It’s everywhere. But local history tells us that the global phenomenon, sipped by royalty and commoners alike, began life as a serendipitous anomaly, accidentally fizzing in a barrel that was more likely to be scoffed at than celebrated.
By the 17th century, though, it was emblematic of French elegance, a regular drink on the tables of the elite. You can sip the honey-hued grape juice anywhere, of course, but perhaps the most intriguing destinations are found beneath Reims, in the miles of chalky cellars hollowed out by the Romans.
Champagne Tastings 131 Feet Beneath The Surface
Maison Ruinart, 4 rue des Crayères, Reims
An iconic champagne-tasting option is found at the UNESCO-listed Maison Ruinart Crayères, which, after a renovation in late 2024, is looking spectacular. You’ll travel deep into the subterranean cellars to explore a vast network of chambers known affectionately as the Chalk Cathedrals, owing to their exceptional scale, where you’ll enjoy two champagne tastings.
Art lovers should take note, as Ruinart’s grounds, the exquisite Gardens of Saint-Nicaise, and the vast caves double as exhibition spaces for modern artists like NILS-UDO and Jeppe Hein.
Champagne Bérèche et Fils
Route de Louvois Le Craon de Ludes, 51500 Ludes
Raphaël and Vincent Bérêche helm this fabulous and highly regarded vineyard just south of Reims, offering tastings of everything from the Brut to the Coteaux Champenois.
It may not be as grand as the regional staples (although the surrounding countryside is a delight for summer walks and drives), but the family’s passion is clear when they explain their organic techniques — techniques that have led them to achieve certification for high environmental value and sustainability.
Reims Attractions and Museums
Repeat visitors to Reims will be familiar with the vast Cathedral towering above the city center, the Veuve Clicquot winery for champagne tastings, and the Museum of Surrender. But for those craving a deeper dive, the city boasts numerous post-war Art Deco architectures, delightful farmers markets, impressive ruins from the Roman age, and natural retreats set into the exquisite Champagne countryside.
Saint-Rémi Cathedral
Place Chanoine Ladame, 51100 Reims
The vast Notre Dame de Reims dominates most travelers’ Reims itineraries, but for something a little different, take a detour to the charming Saint-Rémi neighborhood to see its namesake cathedral.
Dating to the 11th century, the UNESCO-listed cathedral boasts a wealth of historical artifacts and art, including a stunning Cattiaux grand organ and 12th-century stained glass. Before you leave, head downstairs to the serene crypt to see its ancient relics and the tomb of Saint Remi.
Halles Boulingrin
50 Rue de Mars, 51100 Reims
This cavernous covered market is worth a visit for the architecture alone, as it retains many of its original Art Deco features designed by architect Emile Maigret, such as the large interior arches and 1920s clocks.
But the real attractions are the market sellers offering affordable, fresh produce, including vegetables, flowers, freshly caught fish, and local specialties like cheese, sausages, and wine. Like many of France’s local foodie haunts, the Halles Boulingrin is closed on Mondays and Tuesdays.
Rêve de couleurs Reims
Notre Dame de Reims, 51100 Reims
This annual light show takes over the facade of Reims Cathedral, illuminating the gothic structure with beautiful trompe-l’œil designs and colorful optical illusions supported by music and dance. It’s held during the summer and winter (though this changes yearly) and takes place every evening at scheduled times. The winter 2024/2025 event will run until January 4th, making it an ideal show to watch with a steaming cup of mulled wine from one of the local Christmas markets.
Carnegie Library
2 place Carnegie, 51100 Reims
A stunning Art Deco library and museum hidden in plain view close to the cathedral, the Carnegie Library was one of the first major building projects in Reims after the bombs of WWI flattened much of the city. As such, the library is a treasure trove of 1920s elegance.
Entrance is free, and a short visit is worth it for viewing the whimsical mosaics and marble that ornament the interiors, but take a few extra minutes to see the reading room and its exceptional stained glass roof.
Musée-Hôtel Le Vergeur
36 place du Forum, 51100 Reims
This beautiful turreted townhouse, built in the 13th century, was eventually bought by Nicolas Le Vergeur, a bourgeois who transformed it into a stunning Renaissance masterpiece in the 16th century. From then, its history becomes ever more storied, passing into the hands of the Veuve Clicquot-Ponsardin family before suffering extensive damage in the First World War.
Renowned photographer and world traveler Hugues Krafft then restored the house with parts from ruins across the city, and filled it with artifacts from his travels.
The Ruins at Hôtel Le Vergeur
36 place du Forum, 51100 Reims
After your visit to Hôtel Le Vergeur, take a quiet stroll to the house’s gardens, where Hugues Krafft collected various external ruins from across the city. These ruins represent many of the buildings lost to war, fragmented and posed as a reminder of Reims as it once stood.
Now, the buildings — old arches, fragments of semi-destroyed wall, and decorated plaques — stand draped in decades-old ivy and are often overlooked by those visiting the main house.
Les Faux de Verzy
7 Les Faux, 51380 Verzy
This magical nature reserve, a short 15-mile drive from Reims, offers a verdant retreat from the city. The walking trails lead visitors alongside hundreds of surreal, gnarled dwarf beech trees twisting along the woodland floor and upwards toward the sky, creating a fantastic woodland walk with a unique and mysterious fairytale atmosphere.
Additionally, the trails are made of crushed stone, making them suitable for wheelchair users, and there are numerous stopping points and benches along the path to better allow you to take in the scenery.
The Reims Cryptoporticus
6 Pl. du Forum, 51100 Reims
A Cryptoportico — an underground or covered corridor with galleries and vaulted ceilings — is a rare find in Roman archeology, so it’s no surprise that this Gallo-Roman Cryptoportico is one of only 5 in the world (similar to those in Diocletian’s Palace in Split, Croatia).
Today, the Reims Cryptoportico — a relic of the original Roman town known as Durocortorum, is half-hidden beneath the Place du Forum and is particularly well-preserved, standing as a superb example of 3rd-century AD Roman architecture.
The Best Sylish Hotels in Reims
Being a relatively small city, Reims has only a modest selection of hotels and bed and breakfasts, but the list is growing, with recent additions from Marriot’s Autograph Collection and the Continental bringing a modern touch… including Reims’ first five star hotels.
Inner-city Convenience at La Caserne Chanzy (Autograph Collection)
18 Rue Tronsson Ducoudray, 51100 Reims
Taking over a long-abandoned fire station, La Caserne Chanzy is Reims’ first 5-star hotel. Interiors are chic and finished in a color palette purposefully reminiscent of the local countryside, and it feels as though it was built for those who appreciate their finer moments elevated by Champagne.
The rooms recall the best of Reims, with nods to the region’s master vintners in shades of honey and stone. But for views, there are only two room choices: the Skyline and Cathedral rooms, both of which boast exceptional vistas of the Cathedral.
A Taste of the Countryside at Domaine les Crayères
4 Boulevard Henry Vasnier, 51100 Reims
Snuggled into the Reims countryside, this grand chateau oozes French elegance and sophistication. The interiors are chicly presented in the classical French style, with marble fireplaces and gilded gold finishings, and the stylish rooms come with four-poster beds elevated by garden views.
The two-Michelin-starred restaurant — Le Parc — sources ingredients from the various farms and wineries of the region. Nearby attractions include the Automobile Museum and Chemin-Vert Garden City.
