Things to do in Reims, France – Champagne City!
Things to do in Reims – Explore the champagne capital of France and let’s the corks pop and the bubbles fizz. It’s more welcoming and affordable than I expected, similar to visiting a whisky distillery in Speyside. And our kids were kept entertained too.
Visit a Champagne House – Things to do in Reims
There are several champagne houses of repute to visit. We chose four and I’ll explain why.
Pommery
Pommery is unmissable, and brilliant for kids too. Allow at least half a day for this. From the iconic blue chateau with its quirky statues in the grounds, to the 116 steps festooned with art leading down to the dark twisting tunnels and cellars, Pommery is special because it combines champagne with art. A simple self-guided ticket that includes a tasting is the minimum you need to explore. The artworks surprise and delight young and old at every turn. Our favourite pieces were the gigantic red heart installation, and the flying floating white feathers that represent champagne bubbles. Also look out for 4 bas-reliefs created by the original artistic visionary Louise Pommery. While the adults enjoyed the Pommery champagne tasting, our kids felt v sophis’ with their fizzy grape juice.
If you can dine at the onsite restaurant Le Refectoire it’s delicious, with quality children’s options too. Indoor and outdoor terrace seating is available. I recommend the tartares – both salmon and steak tartare were on the menu when we visited. Lush!
Villa Demoiselle & Vranken Champagne
Right next door to Champagne Pommery, is the beautifully Art Deco and Art Nouveau elegance of Villa Demoiselle. Tour this interior design delight before ending the visit with a tasting of Vranken Champage. Again, our kids were catered for with child-friendly beverages.
Visit Veuve Cliquot & Taittinger
Visit Moet Chandon & Veuve Cliquot
Taittinger
I visited this household name of champagne for several reasons. Taittinger has invested in a shiny, new visitor centre and restaurant. Plus the cellars have the unique story of formerly housing the Saint-Nicaise Abbey built by Benedictine monks. The cellars also sheltered civilians during WW1, and you can still see graffitti etched into the walls from this period. I visited this site child free.
Sabre your own Bottle of Champagne at Pol Couronne
The Pol Couronne experience is right in the town centre in a bar venue. Yes, you can try a straightforward tasting, but for €52 I took a sharp sabre and sabred the head off my champagne bottle (after basic instruction) then you’re free to drink the entire bottle with friends. It all felt very masterful!
Visit the Surrender Museum – Things to do in Reims
An utterly unique gem. I had no idea that war in Europe ended in Reims when the Nazis surrendered to the Allies at Dwight Eisenhower’s secret Reims base situated in an unassuming college. Today it’s still possible to visit the Surrender Museum, step inside the Map Room and see the table where the powerful war leaders gathered and this momentous event occurred. See the intricate maps, the battle stats, POW figures and supply lines. Utterly fascinating, and v educational for ALL the family.
Stroll around Hautes Promenades Park/REIMS sign
FREE Near the Surrender Museum. At the top of this park is the city’s WW1 memorial then stroll past Splash Fountains (ideal for youngsters on a hot day), take snaps at the REIMS tourist sign and take in the memorials to the incredibly brave Resistance Movement.
Tour the Fossier Biscuit Factory – Things to do in Reims
Head out of town for a biscuit fix, at France’s oldest biscuit producer, renowned for delicately pink confectionery. The Fossier factory tour takes in the hand-crafted process, with lots of tastings and a short film along the way. End the visit in the factory outlet shop to pick up goodies. There’s also a store in the centre of town on 25 Cours Jean-Baptiste Langlet if you can’t make it to the factory.
Get an Art Deco Fix – Things to Do in Reims
Andrew Carnegie Library
Partly due to the destruction wreaked on the city during WW1, much of Reims was beautifully rebuilt in the Art Deco style. Highlights include the free to visit Andrew Carnegie Library.
Cafe du Palais
Don’t miss Cafe du Palais. It’s busy with antiques, art and appealing clutter, but the elegant stained glass ceiling brings calm. The food is excellent too – the kids loved their playful lasagne and the French classics served to the adults were flawless. We recommend the duck confit.
Halle Boulingrin
This food market not only is a place to pick up great meats and cheeses but also an Art Deco foodie destination.
Brasserie du Boulingrin
Decorated in burgundy booths with crisp white tablecloths, this 1920s restaurant is still a hit. We dined on snails and salmon tartare.
Notre Dame Cathedral – Things to do in Reims
FREE While there are paid experiences here, the cathedral is free to enter to admire its beauty and intricacy. It’s also festooned with over 2000 of statues and is a very calming experience in such a fizzy bubbly city.
Book a Tour of Notre Dame Cathedral here
People Watch at the Place du Forum
If you’re seeking a spot for an outdoor drink where people gather, chat and people-watch then head to Place du Forum where all ages shoot the breeze over a glass of wine (or coke for the kids).
Out of Town – Epernay
We took a quick drive to Epernay, another champagne hub and strolled along its famed Avenue de Champagne. What a sight, and what stunning champagne houses you’ll find, all vying for your custom (so quite recently priced). Stand out names include Moet & Chandon and Pol Roger.
Where to Stay
Unusually we tried three accommodation options in Reims. The cheapest was a private family room in a smart Youth Hostel called Cis de Champagne. One night, room only, simple but had everything we needed including onsite parking.
A self-catering option with street parking was Honey (Reims Hypercentre). Smart, modern and walkable to all key sites.
A very reasonable yet smart hotel option was the Best Western Hotel de la Paix. The family rooms even had separation between the adult/child areas within the bedroom. Another key draw was the swimming pool and spa facilities. There’s a smart restaurant onsite and the food here is worth talking about. My husband loved the oyster starter, and my Pate Croute was so pretty and tasted good too. The rich Ratafia Baba dessert sealed the deal. The hotel’s central location was a bonus too.
We enjoyed our three night stay in Reims as a family. I imagine it must be so romantic as a couple, and a total hoot champagne tasting with pals! Cheers!
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