Reims
​In the heart of northeastern France, surrounded by gentle vineyards and golden light, lies Reims — a city that embodies both royal history and French art de vivre. Known as the City of Coronations, Reims was for nearly a thousand years the stage upon which France crowned its kings. But today, it reigns in a different way — as the world capital of Champagne, where every stone, cellar, and street seems to shimmer with effervescence.
Only 45 minutes from Paris by train, Reims is a destination that combines the grandeur of Gothic architecture, the delight of Champagne tasting, and the relaxed pace of a city proud of its heritage yet alive with modern creativity.
The Heart of Reims:
The Notre-Dame Cathedral
At the center of the city rises one of Europe’s greatest Gothic cathedrals — Notre-Dame de Reims. Built between 1211 and 1311, this architectural masterpiece replaced an earlier church destroyed by fire. It quickly became the symbol of royal power, as from the 11th century onward, almost every French king was crowned here.
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Stepping inside, you’ll understand why this cathedral is often described as a poem in stone. Its facade is adorned with over 2,300 sculptures, including the famous Smiling Angel, whose gentle expression has become a symbol of hope for the people of Reims.
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During World War I, the cathedral was heavily bombarded — its roof burned, and many sculptures were destroyed. But its postwar reconstruction, completed in the 1930s, turned the cathedral into a symbol of resilience.
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Look closely at the stained-glass windows: alongside 13th-century originals, you’ll find modern ones designed by Marc Chagall and the German artist Imi Knoebel — a powerful tribute to peace and Franco-German friendship.
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💡 Did you know?
The coronation ceremony included a sacred oil kept in a vial known as the Holy Ampulla (Sainte Ampoule). It was said to have been brought by a dove from heaven for the baptism of Clovis, the first Christian king of France, right here in Reims in the year 496.
The Champagne Houses:
From Royal Toasts to Global Icons
Reims is home to some of the most prestigious Champagne houses in the world. Beneath the city lie over 250 kilometers of underground chalk tunnels (crayères) — ancient Roman quarries that now serve as natural cellars, maintaining the perfect temperature and humidity for aging Champagne.
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Each house has its own story, philosophy, and flavor profile:
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Veuve Clicquot
Founded in 1772, this iconic house owes much of its success to Madame Clicquot, known as La Grande Dame de la Champagne. Widowed at just 27, she revolutionized Champagne-making by inventing the riddling process (remuage), which made the wine clear and refined. The tour of Veuve Clicquot’s chalk cellars is both educational and elegant, ending — of course — with a tasting of their signature Yellow Label Brut.
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​Taittinger
Located near the Saint-Nicaise Abbey, Taittinger’s cellars are among the most atmospheric in Reims. Beneath the abbey ruins, you’ll wander through vast subterranean galleries lined with thousands of aging bottles. The house is known for its Chardonnay-driven cuvées, giving their Champagnes a bright, delicate character.
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Pommery
If Veuve Clicquot embodies classic elegance, Pommery is bold and artistic. The estate’s architecture blends Neo-Gothic and industrial styles, and its underground world is a museum in itself — filled with art installations and sculptures. Each year, Pommery hosts contemporary art exhibitions in its cellars, combining bubbles and creativity in a truly unique way.
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Ruinart
Founded in 1729, Ruinart is the oldest Champagne house in the world. Its cellars — now UNESCO-listed — are carved 40 meters deep into the chalk. The guided visit is a masterclass in refinement: from the story of Dom Ruinart, a visionary Benedictine monk, to the subtle aromas of the house’s Blanc de Blancs, made exclusively from Chardonnay grapes.
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💡 Traveler’s tip:
For a more personal experience, try a smaller boutique producer such as Champagne Lanson, G.H. Martel, or Vranken-Pommery Monopole. You’ll often get to talk directly with the winemakers and taste limited editions not found elsewhere.
A Hidden Gem:
The Museum of Fine Arts
Tucked just behind the cathedral, the Musée des Beaux-Arts de Reims is one of the city’s quiet treasures. Housed in the former Saint-Denis Abbey, it showcases more than 10,000 works, tracing the evolution of European art from the Renaissance to the modern era.
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The museum’s collection is particularly rich in 19th-century French paintings — think Corot’s landscapes, Delacroix’s romantic scenes, and luminous works by Monet and Renoir that capture the soft light of northern France.
One of its highlights is the Donation Fabius, a collection of rare furniture, porcelain, and miniatures once owned by a noble family from Reims. The museum also hosts temporary exhibitions that spotlight contemporary artists, linking the city’s artistic past with its creative present.
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💡 Traveler’s tip:
The museum’s courtyard offers a peaceful escape — grab a coffee nearby and enjoy a moment away from the crowds.
