Explore Reims an excellent One-Day Itinerary

Reims makes the perfect day trip from Paris or pitstop on a European road tour from the UK.  Discover four UNESCO world heritage sites, two very fine churches, a palace and of course, champagne on my Reims one day itinerary.  

Perfect one day Reims itinerary

Our visit to Reims was the final day on our holiday in Lake Constance; the border of Switzerland, Austria and Germany.  Reims has something for everyone in our family magnificent architecture for me, 20th century history for our children, Roman remains for all of us and Champagne for Mr CW.

Smile at Stone Angels at Reims Cathedral

Reims UNESCO site number one. Reims Cathedral was built on the spot that Clovis, the first French King, was baptised in 498 on Christmas Day.  Ever since then the Cathedral has been the venue for French coronations, 33 of them.  It is generally reckoned to be the finest example of Gothic architecture, a confection of flying buttresses and intricate carving.  In 1918 German shells caused a fire so intense that lead from the roof spouted out from the gargoyles mouths.  Restoration was completed just in time for the outbreak of the Second World War.  New stained glass windows are still being added to replace those lost in 1918.  My favourite is by Mark Chagall.  Look out for the Laughing Angel as you enter the Cathedral.

• Reims Cathedral
• Open: Daily 7.30am – 7.30pm
• Admission: Free 

Visit the Tau Palace

Right next door to the Cathedral is the Tau Palace, UNESCO site number two, former residence of the Archbishops of Reims and venue for post coronation banquets.  Upstairs is a fascinating display about the French coronations.  Don’t miss the basement or undercroft, where you can see Roman foundations with glorious Gothic arches soaring above.  

• Tau Palace, 2 place du Cardinal Luçon
• The Tau Palace is currently closed for renovation and will reopen in 2025

Explore the Basilica of Saint Remi

Clovis was baptised by Remi, Bishop of Reims.  It was a big thing, 3,000 people followed their King’s lead and France become a Christian country.  Remi became St Remi and in the 11th century an abbey was built in his honour.  The Basilica of St Remi was largely destroyed in World War I but has been faithfully reconstructed and is the third UNESCO heritage site in Reims.  St Remi’s remains are still here.  Visiting the Basilica is free but there is a small charge for the excellent museum next door.

• Saint Remi Basilica, Place Chanoine Ladame
• Open: Daily 8am – 7pm
• Admission: Free

• Saint Remi Museum, Rue Simon
• Open: Tuesday – Sunday 10am – 6pm
• Admission: €5.50

Tour a champagne house

The fourth UNESCO site in Reims is beneath your feet.  Limestone caves hold millions of bottles of Champagne getting ready for the moment of drinking.  Some of the caves started life as Roman chalk mines and been up cycled into new uses. Most of the big champagne houses do tours of varying length and most with tasting.  Mumm, Martel and Tattinger are all close to the centre.  Prices start at €25 and wend their way up depending on what you taste and if you visit vineyards too. Take a look at the Reims tourist board website for a full list of tours.

Marvel at Porte du Mars

Once upon a time back in the Roman era, Reims was called Durocortorum and had four entrance gates.  Now only the Porte du Mars remains.  Back when it was built in the third century AD it was the widest arch in the whole of Roman world.  You can marvel it is 32 metre length for free.

See where World War II ended

On Monday 7 May 1945 at 2.41 am General Alfred Jodl signed the Instrument of Surrender in General Eisenhowers Headquarters.  Now the building houses the Musee de la Reddition (Museum of the Surrender) where you can see photos, documents, uniforms and the map room where the war’s progress was documented.

• Musee de le Reddition, 12 rue Franklin Roosevelt
• Open: Daily 10am – 6pm
• Admission: €5.50

How to get to Reims

Catch a train from Paris Gare de l’Est and 45 minutes later you will be in Reims.  When we visited it was because it was a very convenient place to stop on our journey back from Austria.  Reims is at the crossroads of A26 and A4 motorways and two and half hour drive away Calais, making it an ideal pitstop at the beginning or end of European road trips.

Driving in Reims

The centre of Reims is a Low Emission Zone (ZFE), which means you will need a green Crit air sticker on your windscreen.  These need to be bought before you arrive, allow at least two weeks for your sticker to arrive.  For vehicles registered in the UK the fee is €3.11 plus postage of €1.65, so a total of €4.76.  Take a look at this website for a map of  ZFE.  There are three park and ride facilities if you don’t fancy driving into the centre.

How Reims got its name

Legend has it that Reims was founded by Remus, twin brother of Romulus who founded Rome, in 80 BC.  I had thought that they both founded Rome and it was unfair that Remus didn’t get a look in with name.  Turns out he had his own place all the time.  It became the biggest Roman city north of the Alps.  Roman remains can be still be seen in the city and the Roman chalk mines are used for storing Champagne.

How to pronounce Reims

I wanted write reams about Reims but Mr CW informed me that it is pronounced Rrrrrance and not to show my ignorance. 

Where to stay in Reims

We stayed at the Novotel Suites, just opposite the Musee de la Reddition and a short walk to the centre.

We visited Reims at the end of our cycling tour round Lake Constance. On the way out we stopped in Aachen. In other years our pitstops have included Antwerp and Duisburg where we visited the Landschaftpark.