Dominated by one of Europe's most beautiful Gothic cathedrals, Reims is a compact French jewel, offering atmospheric cafes, superb food, and some of the best Champagne you will ever taste.
The star of the show in Reims is the Cathedral of Notre-Dame de Reims, historically the place where French kings were crowned. Check out the Chagall stained glass windows, and soak up the serene, awe-inspiring atmosphere.
Toast your vacation in style in the home of Veuve Clicquot or visit Champagne houses run by iconic names like Mumm or Taittinger.
Reims is packed with museums, including the Musée des Beaux-Arts de Reims (with a fantastic collection of 19th-century French works) and the Museum of the Surrender.
Accompany your Champagne with gourmet cuisine at acclaimed restaurants like the Art Deco La Brasserie du Boulingrin or up-and-coming seafood spots like Le Bocal.
There's always something going on in Reims, from Christmas fairs to the Reims Vintage Car Show and May's magical Johan Festival, dedicated to medieval history.
Le Bocal is an exceptional seafood restaurant, Le Millénaire is a Michelin-starred traditional eatery, while Philippe Mille whips up gorgeous dishes in opulent surroundings at Les Crayères. Prices vary by establishment, but a good meal should cost around EUR20-40.
Reims has something to enjoy at all times of year, with museums and markets to enjoy whenever you visit. Why not pick a festival that interests you and schedule your trip then?
For visitors from North America, the easiest option is to fly into Paris Charles De Gaulle Airport, before hopping on a high speed TGV train (30 minutes, tickets from EUR20).
Reims has superb rail connections to Paris, and the journey can take as little as 40 minutes (from Paris Est station).
From Paris, take the A4 straight to Reims. From Lille, take the A1 to Arras, then the A26.
Eurolines runs daily buses from Paris to Reims, which take just under 2 hours to reach their destination and cost around EUR10.
Reims has some magnificent luxury hotels, including the Best Western Plus Hôtel de la Paix and the Grand Hôtel des Templiers.
Centre-Ville - home to Reims' fabulous cathedral and most of the best restaurants, Centre-Ville is where most tourists start their exploration of Reims.
Coutures - just southeast of the city center, Coutures is a relaxed neighborhood where the main attraction is the engaging Automobile Museum.
Saint-Remi - Champagne central. Saint-Remi is the place to go to sample the latest masterpieces from Taittinger or Veuve Cliquot.
The buses in Reims are reliable and cheap, at just EUR1 per journey. You can also purchase 10 tickets for EUR8.60.
You will need to book taxis in advance via the web, phone, or your concierge, and expect to pay a rate of around EUR2 per mile.
Car rental options in Reims include Sixt and Europcar. Rates should be around EUR15 per day for smaller vehicles.
The best place to shop in Reims is Galeries Lafayette - the town's largest department store. There are also some wonderful artisanal stores, like the antiques market La Boutique and Lancel, heaven for those who love designer accessories.
Carrefour is the main supermarket in Reims, with branches all over the city. As an indication of prices, expect to pay around EUR3 for 12 eggs.