Details for Reims

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Discover Reims's Wonders
In the mood for some bubbly? Reims is located in the Champagne region of France and offers a proud past as the traditional site for the crowning of the kings of France. Many of the great champagne cellars are located in or, to be exact, underneath the city of Reims.
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Description

Reims is the metropolis of the Champagne-Ardenne area, and a city that celebrates art, history and the enjoyment of fine food and wine. Along with its restaurants serving the finest food and wine, it has countless art galleries and buildings of varied architectural styles. Some of them date back as early as the 3rd century, such as at the Gate of Mars, the Gallo-Roman cryptoporticus. Contemporary architecture can be seen at the Conservatoire National de Région, the Reims Champagne Congress Centre. Reims also has many rare trees, including a specimen of the Faux de Verzy at the Pierre Schneiter horticultural garden.

Useful information
Population:

Approximately 197,000

Currency:

Euro (EUR) €1 = 100 cents

Emergency Info:

Police: 17
Ambulance: 15/112
Fire Brigade: 18

Opening Hours:

Shop opening hours are generally from 9am-7pm. Small shops might stay closed for an hour over lunch. Shops are closed Sundays or open at their own discretion.

Do & See

Basilique St-Rémi

Basilique St-Rémi

The 121 metres long Basilica of Reims was built around the year 1000. It is classified as a historical monument and a Unesco World Heritage Site and was formerly attached to the monastery Abbey of Saint-Rémi of Reims.

Cathédrale Notre-Dame de Reims

Cathédrale Notre-Dame de Reims

Notre-Dame de Reims is a Roman Catholic cathedral where the kings of France once were crowned. The most famous one was Charles VII, who had Joan of Arc at his side, in 17 July 1429. In the year 2011 this impressive structure celebrated its 800th anniversary.

Champagne

Champagne

A stay in Reims would not be complete without educating yourself about the famous sparkling nectar. Visit one of the many champagne houses based in Reims. Pay a visit to Pommery’s cellars that contain some of the most spectacular chalk carvings in the whole of champagne. Mumm is worth visiting too. The company has recently updated its tour and includes a museum area featuring old tools of the trade.

Circuit de Reims-Gueux

Circuit de Reims-Gueux

This old racing circuit from the 1950’s can be found just outside the city. If you are a fan of motor sport, this place will truly catch you interest. Circuit de Reims-Gueux has hosted various big events during the years.

Fort de la Pompelle

Fort de la Pompelle

This fort was built by General Séré de Rivière in 1880. Heroically it resisted throughout World War I from 1914 to 1918 under German assault waves and bombardment.

Le Planétarium

Le Planétarium

Le Planétarium is the ideal place to become familiar with the constellations, discover the planets of the solar system and the whole universe. This place features multimedia technology.

Musee de la Reddition

Musee de la Reddition

Museum of the Surrender, Le Musée de la Reddition in French, contains old artefacts from the surrender of German forces during World War II. This is the perfect museum for anyone interested in history.

Musée des Beaux-Arts

Musée des Beaux-Arts

The Fine Arts Museum is housed in the former living quarters of the Abbey of Saint-Denis. The museum has extensive collections from the Renaissance to the present day.

Dining

Anna-S La Table Amoureuse

Anna-S La Table Amoureuse

This is a fun and informal restaurant close to the National Academy of Music and Dance. Anna-S La Table Amoureuse serves classical French dishes using seasonal produce.

Au Petit Comptoir

Au Petit Comptoir

In the middle of Reims you find this bistro restaurant with its elegant and modern interior and kitchen. The head chef Fabrice Maillot, with background from the big houses of Boyer and Robuchon, offers a fun, chic and creative atmosphere.

Brasserie Excelsior

Brasserie Excelsior

This is a small restaurant set in the elegant surroundings of a hotel dating from the early 1900's. Brasserie Excelsior has an outside terrace overlooking the gardens, and serves classic French cuisine at good prices.

Continental Restaurant

Continental Restaurant

At Grand Hotel Continental right in the heart of the city centre you can find this large restaurant. The elegant Continental Restaurant is open seven days a week and serves traditional French cuisine.

Le Bocal Restaurant

Le Bocal Restaurant

If you like seafood, fish and oysters you will love this place. At Le Bocal Restaurant you can enjoy fun and varied menu accompanied by a glass of Champagne.

Le Café du Palais

Le Café du Palais

A family-run bistro located just opposite the Palais de Justice (court of law), the eatery attracts lawyers who mix with musicians and journalists under the Art Deco stained-glass ceiling. The cuisine is classical French.

Le Coq Rouge

Le Coq Rouge

This tiny restaurant is a cool, little wine bar where you can enjoy a glass of wine and something good to eat. To accompany your wine you can order anti-pasti and some tapas.

Le Grand Café

Le Grand Café

Situated in central Reims, this large and lively brasserie specialises in mussels (moules) and serves them with a variety of sauces. The sauces include la Champenoise, à l’Ardennaise, à l’Italienne and à la Provençale styles.

Cafes

Café Le Gaulois

Café Le Gaulois

Café Le Gaulois is an informal bar-brasserie style eatery, situated right in front of the Solidarity Fountain in the city centre. When the weather is nice, take a seat outside on its large terrace which stretches out over rue Condorcet and enjoy a drink or two with your friends. On the menu, you will find hearty salads, generous sauerkraut, homemade tartars as well as some local specialties.

Le Four à Bois

Le Four à Bois

Are you a true gourmet or gourmand when it comes to bread and bakeries? To Christophe Van Vynckt and his team competence and quality are the top ingredients in their daily work, making these wood-oven baked delicacies, like sourdough bread, a joy for everyone.

Les Crayères

Les Crayères

Les Crayères sits right across from Pommery Champagne house in Reims. The café - Le Parc - has the most beautiful patio seating in the summer. Visit the expensive brasserie for a drink and another culinary voyage around great classic dishes from the Champagne area and around. There is a vast wine and champagne selection and the bar is another treat with its relaxed interior.

Bars & Nightlife

Atrium Club & Events

Atrium Club & Events

Atrium is a nightlife venue that hosts regular shows, so check the schedule to see what's on while you're in town.

L’Apostrophe

L’Apostrophe

Claimed to be one of the best known places to enjoy a drink in Reims, L’Apostrophe is set in an ex- printing-house and has adopted the theme of a trendy literary café. People come here to read while enjoying one of the excellent cocktails.

Le Clos

Le Clos

A not-yet-discovered by tourists bar that offers an impressive selection of wines in a relaxing, lad-back atmosphere. The place boasts an amazing terrace that is particularly inviting during the summer months.

Le Cochon à Plumes

Le Cochon à Plumes

Le Cochon à Plumes is popular local watering hole with a huge selection of drinks and outdoor seating very popular during the summertime.

Le Coq Rouge

Le Coq Rouge

One of the favorite local wine bars, Le Coq Rouge is conveniently located right next to the celebrated Reims Cathedral and offers an extensive wine list fit for a king.

Le Lion

Le Lion

This bar, cafe, and restaurant entices with its exotic interior with stuffed heads of various beasts hanging off the walls. A variety of food and drink options, including an impressive wine list, are available.

Pub l’Escale

Pub l’Escale

A popular meeting place with local residents and a popular haunt of visitors to the city. Pub l’Escale offers traditional wines and spirits, along with light meals.

Shopping

Ba&Sh

Ba&Sh

Started by two friends Barbara Boccara and Sharon Krief back in 2003, this brand sells elegant, feminine clothing made of quality fabrics. The boutique is located inside the Lafayette Gallery department store.

Champagne Veuve Clicquot-Ponsardin

Champagne Veuve Clicquot-Ponsardin

This venue is a champagne and wine shop where tours are also offered. Do not miss the champagne tasting that is organized here.

Halles du Boulingrin

Halles du Boulingrin

An amazing local market that sells all sorts of fresh produce. Fruit and vegetables, cheeses, meats and seafood including oysters - anything and everything is on sale, so get here early to purchase the best products.

L'Artisanie

L'Artisanie

A beautiful garden-themed gift shop with its very own tea room, L'Artisanie is a cosy green oasis fit for a relaxing moment as well as a shopping spree.

La Grande Boutique du Vin

La Grande Boutique du Vin

In addition to a large variety of wines, this store is known for its impressive selection of champagne - a bubbly drink that Reims area is known for. Come here to browse through endless options.

La Petite Friande Chocolatier

La Petite Friande Chocolatier

Look out for the La Petite Friande Chocolatier on the Cours Jean-Baptiste Langlet, which serves local chocolate and sweet specialities including Bouchon de chocolat au Marc de Champagne and Bulle a la Vieille Fine de la Marne (cork-shaped and bubble-shaped chocolate with champagne liqueur).

Les Galeries Lafayette

Les Galeries Lafayette

Les Galeries Lafayette is a major upscale department store located in the heart of the city. Everything from clothing to household items by world's most respectable brands can be found here.

Tourist Information

Best Time to Visit

Best Time to Visit

Due to the high level of humidity, temperatures feel cold for about half of the year: it means that the number of rainy days per year is quite high (about 50%), especially in winter and spring. Summer would be the perfect period to visit Reims: for instance the month of June offers warm weather and many open-air events, such as "La Magnifique Society" music festival and the historical reenactment "Joan of Arc Festival".

Passport / Visa

Passport / Visa

France can be visited visa-free for up to 90 days by citizens of most European countries, Australia, New Zealand, Japan, South Korea, Taiwan, Malaysia, Israel, UAE and most countries in America. If you are unsure whether or not you need to apply for a visa, we recommend contacting the embassy or consulate in your country. International (non-Schengen) travelers need a passport that is valid for at least 3 months after the end of their intended trip in order to enter the Schengen zone. Citizens of Schengen countries can travel without a passport, but must have a valid ID with them during their stay.

Airport

Airport

The most common ways to reach Reims is to fly to Paris. There are two airports you can arrive at when flying to Paris: The most convenient is Charles de Gaulle (CDG) international airport which is directly connected by train to Reims and only 30 minutes away. The train departs from CDG 2 train station. It is recommended to book your ticket in advance. The second airport is Orly international airport (ORY) and then travel to Gare de l’est (Paris-East train station) where you can catch the train to Reims. Reims is located 45 mins from Gare de l’est.

Public transport

Public transport

Reims can easily be discovered by foot. A nice alternative to taking a stroll in the centre would be rent a bike, expecially in sunny days. Anyway, one of the best and most inexpensive ways to get about Reims is to buy a daily bus ticket, that allows you to use a plenty of public transport, such as trams, by buses or city buses (100% electric shuttle). Tickets are available from the Office de Tourisme de Reims on boulevard Général Leclerc, and also on board. Timetables and direction information are displayed prominently on all buses and bus stops.

Taxi

Taxi

Taxis are available from the airport and the rail station. You can also order a taxi by telephone. Les Taxis des Reims:

Electricity

Electricity

220/240 V AC, 50Hz

Pharmacy

Pharmacy

Pharmacies are recognised by a large green cross outside the premises, and are generally open 9am-1pm and 2pm-7pm daily, except Sundays. Out of hours is on a rota basis displayed at the premises. Pharmacie Bride-Charlie:

Post

Post

There are several post offices around Reims. Stamps are available from kiosks and newsagents. Look for the blue and yellow sing to locate a post office. A good post office, located in the centre and well-reacheable, is the following one: La Poste Reims Boulingrin

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