Reims owes its fame to both Champagne and a majestic cathedral, whose famous and moving “Smiling Angel” statue - one of over 2,000 statues in the city - has become an iconic emblem of Reims. This rich heritage coupled with its economic and cultural dynamism, makes Reims a particularly lively city.
Reims is an exceptional and prestigious city. Prestigious because of the sheer quality of its heritage and the number of its monuments included on the UNESCO World Heritage List: its cathedral dating back over 800 years, the Palais de Tau, the Basilica and former Abbey of Saint-Remi, Saint-Nicaise Hill and its large Champagne Houses. Reims is also exceptional because of the important role it has played in the country's history. Some 30 kings of France were crowned in the city's Notre-Dame Cathedral between 1027 and 1825, making the city worthy of its unique name - the “City of Kings”.
Champagne too is very much at home in Reims. The large Champagne Houses, whose names are known all over the world, open their doors and offer tours of their crayères deep underground. Also referred to as “underground cathedrals” because of their imposing dimensions, these former chalk quarries play a pivotal role in the Champagne production process.
Apart from its history and its Champagne, Reims boasts a rich cultural life, in particular the classical music festival Flâneries musicales de Reims which has taken place every spring for over 30 years, and its Christmas market in December held at the foot of the cathedral (France's third largest Christmas market).
Equally, it would be wrong to ignore the city's gastronomic tradition. Many Michelin-starred restaurants give star billing to food/Champagne pairings.
So smile, you're in Reims!
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Tourist Office
6 rue Rockfeller
51100 Reims
33 (0)3 26 77 45 00
