Though the region is known for its bubbles, Champagne is not limited to just wine tastings! Visit the Notre-Dame de Reims Cathedral, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, where the kings of France were crowned starting in 1027 or use this as a jumping off point for locations near and far throughout France and Europe at large.
If you’d like suggestions or reservations at other Champagne houses, see below. We’re more than happy to assist with an even wider net, too!
WHAT TO DO IN REIMS
Adding an extra day before or after the festivities? Here are a few ideas to help you explore the history and culture of the region!
Visit Reims Cathedral
At the site of 900 years-worth of royal coronations, it’s almost mind-blowing to think of all the historical figures that have passed through. In the apse you can find stained glass windows designed by Marc Chagall to replace those damaged in the war.
Tour A Champagne House
For the uninitiated, we suggest crossing the Montagne de Reims to Épernay - the second city of Champange - specifically to Nicolas Feuillatte, a cooperative with a newly-built visitors center showing off not only the historical lineage of Champagne, but the reality of the current production. This is one of the most informative tours available. Book tickets here.
Stay in Reims and visit the cellars at Pommery or Ruinart, or visit one of the many tasting rooms dotting the city. Our favorite is Trésors de Champagne, the tasting room for the Special Club cooperative of small Champagne producers.
For a small group tour by a local guide with perfect English and a personal connection to each producer, we suggest Sparkling Tour. Many options available!
Musée des Beaux-Arts
There are paintings by Renoir, Matisse, Monet and Charles Le Brun (who decorated the Palace of Versailles). But the museum is noted for its set of 27 works by the 19th-century landscape artist Camille Coroy, the second-largest collection in the world.
Fort de la Pompelle
Completed in 1884, this fortress was a component in the nationwide Séré de Rivières defensive system developed for the Franco-Prussian War, and had a company of more than 270 men. Despite taking almost four years of bombing during the First World War, the fortress was never taken. Navigate the tunnels that were dug during this conflict, and inspect the Freise collection, which has some 550 German Pickelhaube helmets.
Musée de la Reddition
Germany’s official surrender at the end of the Second World War was signed in the Reims’ Lycée Franklin-Roosevelt on 7 May 1945. The museum commemorating the event was opened 40 years later and is packed with military memorabilia, photographs, medals and framed newspaper from the momentous date.
Musée Automobile Reims Champagne
With more than 230 cars on display, this museum will give you as a clear a picture of the history of the French automobile as you could wish for. The oldest vehicle dates to 1908, and what will thrill automotive historians is the amount of cars from long defunct marques like Salmson, Delage, Berliet and Chernard-Walcker.