The city where French kings were crowned for centuries, anchored by Reims Cathedral, one of the great Gothic buildings in France and the coronation site of Clovis and most of the Capetian and Valois kings. It's also the commercial heart of Champagne production, with several of the big houses — Pommery, Taittinger, Veuve Clicquot — running cellar tours in and around the city itself, distinct from the vineyard villages further out. The city center was heavily rebuilt after WWI damage, so the Art Deco reconstruction is its own layer of interest alongside the medieval core.
Reims is 144 km east of Paris in the Marne department, reached in about 45 minutes by TGV from Gare de l'Est, the fastest of the day-trip destinations in this list, with the city centre a 15-minute walk from the TGV station. The Gothic Notre-Dame de Reims cathedral, where French kings were historically crowned, anchors the historic centre, and the city is also the unofficial capital of Champagne, with major houses such as Taittinger, Pommery, and Veuve Clicquot offering cellar tours and tastings within or near the centre. A one-day itinerary works well by visiting the cathedral and the adjoining Palace of Tau in the morning, then booking an afternoon cellar tour at one of the champagne houses, several of which sit within walking distance of the cathedral. All-year travel is possible given the short train journey, though September is notable for the grape harvest atmosphere and December for the Christmas markets around the cathedral square. Restaurants and brasseries cluster around Place Drouet d'Erlon, a short walk from the cathedral, offering a convenient lunch stop between the cathedral visit and an afternoon cellar tour. A car via the A4 motorway takes about 1h 30 min and a cheaper FlixBus option runs 2h 30 min, but the TGV remains by far the fastest and most convenient way to make Reims a comfortable day trip.
| Distance | 144 km from Paris |
|---|---|
| Travel time | 45 min by TGV from Gare de l'Est |
| Getting there | TGV from Paris Gare de l'Est to Reims: 45 min, from €19 (~$20.71) advance purchase at oui.sncf. Reims city centre is walkable from the TGV station (15 min). |
| Difficulty | easy |
| Address | Place du Cardinal Luçon, 51100 Reims, France |
How to get there
- TGV (strongly recommended — by far the fastest)
- Car A4 motorway (1h 30 min)
- FlixBus (2h 30 min, cheaper)
Location
Place du Cardinal Luçon, 51100 Reims, France
49.2533, 4.0317 View on map
Highlights
- Notre-Dame de Reims Gothic cathedral
- Champagne house cellar tours (Taittinger, Pommery, Veuve Clicquot)
- Palace of Tau adjoining the cathedral
- Place Drouet d'Erlon dining district
Tips for visiting
- Take the TGV from Gare de l'Est for the fastest journey at 45 minutes
- Book a champagne house cellar tour in advance, especially on weekends
- Buy TGV tickets ahead of time at oui.sncf for the best fares
- Visit in September for the grape harvest atmosphere or December for the Christmas markets
- Walk from the TGV station to the city centre in about 15 minutes rather than taking a taxi
When to visit
Reims works year-round given the short TGV journey; September brings grape harvest atmosphere and December brings Christmas markets around the cathedral.
Frequently asked questions
Which champagne houses can be visited in Reims?
Taittinger, Pommery, and Veuve Clicquot all offer cellar tours and tastings within or near the city centre.
How far is the cathedral from the train station?
Notre-Dame de Reims is about a 15-minute walk from the TGV station.
Is Reims doable as a day trip from Paris?
Yes, the TGV takes only 45 minutes each way, making Reims one of the fastest day trips from Paris on this list.