Located in the northeast region of France, Reims is the unofficial champagne capital of the area. With a variety of champagne houses dotted throughout the city, you’ll find wine tastings and cellar tours at nearly every turn. Home to the Cathédrale Notre-Dame de Reims, it’s also home to a variety of luxury hotels and attractions perfect for your visit. From beautiful chateaus to museums and art galleries, we are sharing things to do in Reims on your next vacation. Here are some of our must-sees when planning a trip to Reims, France.
Where to Stay
First inaugurated as a castle in 1904, Chateau Les Crayeres remained vacant up until 1978 and later renovated into a hotel and restaurant. Its classic French style and luxury design make this the perfect place to enjoy your trip to Reims, France. Choose from their twenty rooms and suites in the Château and Cottages – each decorated to match the elegant style of the city. Chateau Les Crayeres also boasts its own restaurants along with a modern hotel bar overlooking the park below. Enjoy a glass of champagne while listening to a soothing evening of jazz music and choose from their wine list of nearly 1000 options. Don’t forget to take part in the hotel’s activities such as horseback riding, tennis and 18 holes of golf!
Family owned for more than 40 years, L’Assiette Champenoise continues the tradition of hospitality within their family. Located just thirty minutes from the Paris airport, the hotel is centrally located to dozens of attractions, restaurants, and other things to do in Reims. This five-star luxury hotel offers 33 suites and rooms with an elegant, yet modern touch. Enjoy their various champagne room packages including breakfast buffets, glasses of Champagne Dom Pérignon in your room, and dinner for two. Take advantage of Reims’ various tours throughout the city by booking directly through L’Assiette Champenoise or have a relaxing day at the hotel spa.
What to Do
As the champagne capital of the region, a champagne-tasting day trip is a must when planning a trip to Reims, France. Enjoy a private, full-day tour with Artventures France with an excursion through the “Montagne de Reims.” You’ll visit Champagne houses throughout the city with lunch in Epernay – the main wine-growing center of Reims. The full tour is 10 hours with two tastings included along with a pick up from your hotel. You can also enjoy wine tastings and cellar tours if you prefer that to champagne.
Want to see Reims from above? Parachute over the city with Air Parachutisme for the experience of a lifetime! Or learn how to cook like a French master chef with a cooking class and wine experience. Work under Chef Eric Geoffroy to learn the flavors of the city so you can recreate them in your own home as well. You’ll even be able to take home your finished meals or have them delivered to the hotel so they’re waiting for you when you arrive.
What to See
Not only is this city home to some of the best champagne and wine tastings, but it also has a variety of unforgettable sights to see during your trip to Reims, France. The Cathédrale Notre Dame is a must with its stained glass windows and Gothic design. Built in 1211, the cathedral is one of the most popular attractions in the city. Or walk the grounds of the Basilique At-Rémi, an abbey church straight out of the Gallo-Roman era.
For those looking to explore the art and culture with things to do in Reims, take a trip to the Musée des Beaux-Arts. This gallery is home to a vast collection ranging from artists like Jacques-Louis David to Impressionism. We also recommend a visit to the Musée de la Reddition, which focuses on World War II. The museum displays battle maps, military photos and other artifacts in the same building that General Eisenhower held his temporary base.
We hope you have enjoyed some of these things to do in Reims and will add them to your itinerary. Plan a trip to Reims, France today. We guarantee you will not regret it! Want to explore even more of the city of love? See our travel ambassador Kristen Taekman’s collection of memories and must-see attractions from her trip to Paris.
