Summary
Reims stands at the heart of the champagne region, with prestigious houses available for exploration and tasting. Additionally, it is notable that every French King, from 987 to Charles X in the 19th century, was ceremoniously crowned at the Reims Cathedral.
Tip: Acquire the Reims City Pass to enjoy free museum access, unlimited public transport, a guided tour, and various discounts.
The city is also adorned with charming discoveries that are sure to delight: a specialized museum recounting a significant historical event that transpired in Reims, a Roman arch situated within a square, a chapel adorned by an acclaimed modern artist, and an art deco library gifted by Andrew Carnegie.
Let us explore the best attractions in Reims:
1. Reims Cathedral
This site, rich in over 900 years of royal coronations, invites contemplation of the numerous historical figures that have graced its halls.
Before entering, try to locate the Smiling Angel in the north portal of the west facade.
This sculpture, dating back to the 13th century, holds a fascinating narrative; it was decapitated during the German bombing in 1914, subsequently becoming a well-known piece of anti-German propaganda within France.
The Smiling Angel is among a remarkable array of sculpted figures on the facade, rivaled only by Chartres Cathedral in Europe.
Art enthusiasts will appreciate the stained glass windows in the apse, created by Marc Chagall to replace those damaged during the war.
2. Palace of Tau
This Episcopal Palace houses the cathedral’s treasury and played a significant role in coronation ceremonies.
The king would traditionally come here to don his ceremonial robes, as this location hosted the post-coronation banquet from 990 to 1825.
The palace displays an impressive collection of tapestries, reliquaries, and statues.
A highlight includes a 9th-century talisman associated with Charlemagne.
However, the most significant artifact is the Holy Ampulla, which contained the anointing oil used for every coronation from Louis VII in 1131 through to Louis XVI in 1774.
3. Villa Demoiselle
Adjacent to the Pommery Caves, this exquisite mansion represents the architectural transition from art nouveau to art deco at the dawn of the 20th century.
Once dilapidated in the 80s and 90s, it underwent a lavish restoration in 2004 commissioned by Paul-François Vranken, president of Vranken Champagnes, returning it to its Belle Époque glory.
The villa showcases exquisite furniture and decorative pieces, including sinuous chairs designed by Gustave Serrurier-Bovy and a Cuir de Cordoue ceiling by Émile Gallé.
A fireplace created by a student of Louis Majorelle features prominently, having been showcased at the Exposition Universelle in Paris in 1900.
4. Saint-Remi Basilica
This church is recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is celebrated as a gothic masterpiece due to its sculptural embellishments and architectural design.
Parts of the structure precede the gothic period, with the romanesque nave and transepts dating back to the 1000s.
The later gothic elements, including the choir ambulatory and facade, are skillfully integrated to create a cohesive aesthetic.
The historic relics of Reims’ patron saint, Saint-Remi, are housed here. He is remembered as the bishop who baptized Clovis, the King of the Franks, around the beginning of the 6th century.
5. Champagne Houses
A visit to Reims would be incomplete without touring at least one of the renowned champagne houses established in the town since the 18th century.
The challenge lies in selecting which one to visit, as notable names including Mumm, Veuve Clicquot-Ponsardin, Tattinger, and Ruinart welcome visitors.
The tours generally include a descent into the crayères, man-made chalk tunnels that existed prior to the champagne industry, maintaining optimal conditions for the secondary fermentation that produces the characteristic fizz.
Maison Ruinart was the first producer to establish a presence in Reims, with its tunnels situated 40 meters underground, protected as a historical site.
6. Musée des Beaux-Arts
Situated in a former abbey, Reims’ fine arts museum is a product of the Revolution, featuring a collection assembled from works seized from local aristocrats.
Since its inception, the collection has expanded through donations, providing a comprehensive overview of prominent European art movements from the 1500s to the 1900s.
The museum houses paintings by notable artists such as Renoir, Matisse, Monet, and Charles Le Brun, who is recognized for his work in the Palace of Versailles. It is particularly distinguished by its collection of 27 works by 19th-century landscape artist Camille Corot, the second-largest collection of its kind in the world.
7. Porte de Mars
Though little of Reims’ Roman history remains, this arch in Place de la République stands proudly.
Constructed in the 200s, it measures 33 meters in length, making it the largest Roman arch in the world.
Despite its wear, knowledge of Roman mythology may enable you to identify the reliefs of Romulus and Remus, and Leda and Jupiter.
The arch’s preservation can be attributed to its role as a city gate, and subsequently as part of a medieval castle for the archbishops of Reims.
8. Musée-Hôtel Le Vergeur
Located on Place du Forum, this 16th-century mansion was constructed by the merchant Nicolas Le Vergeur.
Before entering, take a moment to admire the intricate gables and half-timbering above the stone foundation.
The museum houses a diverse collection acquired through donations from various donors, contributing to its rich variety.
Exhibits include both gothic and renaissance furniture, German Meissen porcelain, and 19th-century oriental art.
A highlight of the collection is a series of 50 engravings by the German Renaissance artist Albrecht Dürer.
Step into the courtyard to find historic architectural fragments salvaged from around the city, including romanesque arches from a 12th-century Templar church.
9. Hôtel de La Salle à Reims
Situated on Rue Dr Jacquin, Hôtel de La Salle is a renaissance mansion erected in the mid-16th century.
The exterior features classical architectural influences evident in the Doric and Ionic pilasters adorning the ground and first floors, respectively.
This building holds significance as the birthplace of Jean-Baptiste de La Salle, the founder of the first Catholic schools and the patron saint of teachers.
The facility hosts exhibitions related to the Institute of the Brothers of Christian Schools, and a visit is recommended to the courtyard, showcasing a beautifully exposed spiral staircase leading to the turret.
10. Fort de la Pompelle
This fortress was a key element in France’s nationwide Séré de Rivières defensive system, established in the aftermath of the Franco-Prussian War.
Completed in 1884, Fort de la Pompelle was equipped with six 155mm de Bange guns and a contingent of over 270 personnel.
Despite Reims enduring some of the most intense combat of the First World War, this fortress remained unbreached after nearly four years of bombardment.
Visitors can now explore the tunnels constructed during this conflict and observe the Freise collection, featuring approximately 550 German Pickelhaube helmets.
A dedicated space commemorates René Dorme, the fighter ace credited with 23 victories, who lost his life near Reims in 1917.
11. Musée Automobile Reims Champagne
Housing over 230 vehicles, this museum provides an extensive overview of the history of the French automobile industry.
The oldest vehicle on display dates back to 1908, and automotive historians will appreciate the representation of brands like Salmson, Delage, Berliet, and Chenard-Walcker, which are now defunct.
Some exhibits include limited edition models, remaining among the last of their kind.
The museum also features a significant bicycle collection alongside an impressive array of 5,000 miniatures and toy cars.
12. Place Royale
The central square, Place Royale, was designed in the neoclassical style in 1760, characterized by its balustrades, arcades, and cast-iron lanterns.
This square honors King Louis XV, featuring a statue depicting him in the attire of a Roman Emperor, situated on what was once part of the Roman forum. The original statue sculpted by the esteemed Jean-Baptiste Pigalle was destroyed during the Revolution, though the pediment depicting Pigalle under the protection of the king survived.
The current statue was erected in 1818, created by Pierre Cartellier.
13. Bibliothèque Carnegie
Reims was one of three cities damaged during the First World War chosen to receive a library through the generosity of American philanthropist Andrew Carnegie.
The library’s collection encompasses medieval manuscripts, incunabula (books published prior to 1501), and numerous books from the Ancien Régime.
Many visitors are drawn here to admire its aesthetic qualities: built between 1921 and 1927, it stands as an art deco masterpiece.
Entry is complimentary for all, allowing visitors to explore quietly for a few moments.
Notable features include the mosaics in the reception area, the geometric railings in the Salle du Catalogue, and an array of stained glass windows alongside the lantern and fountain within the hall.
14. Chapelle Foujita
Located within the grounds of the Mumm Champagne house, opposite their caves, lies a captivating chapel worth discovering.
Tsuguharu Foujita, a Japanese painter who spent a significant part of his career in France and was integral to the Paris School, designed this chapel in the 1960s, adorning its walls with exquisite frescoes.
Having converted to Christianity a decade earlier, it is striking to see themes of Christianity depicted through his Eastern artistic style.
Noteworthy are the stained glass windows crafted by master-glazier Charles Marq.
15. Musée de la Reddition
Not widely known, the official surrender of Germany at the conclusion of the Second World War was signed in Reims’ Lycée Franklin-Roosevelt on May 7, 1945. The commemorative museum was inaugurated 40 years later, filled with military artifacts, photographs, medals, and framed newspapers chronicling that pivotal date.
Visitors can learn about the military units present in Reims during this time, and how this technical college ultimately served as General Eisenhower’s headquarters.
The very room where the surrender document was signed has been preserved unchanged since that significant moment 70 years ago.
