Overview
Reims is where French kings were crowned and where the world s finest champagne is made. The city s Gothic masterpiece — the Notre-Dame de Reims cathedral — witnessed the coronation of 25 French monarchs, while beneath the city streets, miles of chalk tunnels house millions of bottles of aging champagne from houses like Veuve Clicquot, Taittinger, and Pommery. Just 45 minutes from Paris by TGV high-speed train, Reims delivers a concentration of history, gastronomy, and wine culture that rivals any city in France, at prices significantly below Paris. The euro is the currency.
Daily Budget Breakdown
Budget travelers ($70/day): Stay in hostels or budget hotels, eat at boulangeries and market stalls, walk everywhere in the compact city center, visit the free cathedral, and choose one affordable champagne house tasting per day at 20-30 EUR.
Mid-range travelers ($180/day): Book a hotel near the cathedral, enjoy French bistro lunches and brasserie dinners, visit 2-3 champagne houses including prestigious names, and explore the Palais du Tau and the Basilica of Saint-Remi.
Luxury travelers ($450+/day): Stay at the Domaine Les Crayeres or Royal Champagne Hotel, dine at Michelin-starred restaurants like Le Parc or Racine, book private champagne house tours with premium tastings, and arrange a half-day drive through the Champagne vineyards of the Montagne de Reims.
Where to Save
The Reims Cathedral — one of the greatest Gothic buildings ever constructed — is completely free to enter. Walking is the only transport you need in Reims s compact center. Boulangeries sell baguette sandwiches, quiches, and pastries for 3-6 EUR that rival sit-down restaurant quality. Smaller champagne houses like Taittinger and Pommery offer tours and tastings from 20-30 EUR — less crowded and often more personal than the biggest names. The Halles du Boulingrin covered market is perfect for picnic supplies. Tuesday through Friday are the cheapest days for hotel bookings.
Where to Splurge
A champagne house tour with premium tasting at Veuve Clicquot or Ruinart — descending into chalk cellars carved by Romans — is an unforgettable experience. Dinner at Le Parc at Domaine Les Crayeres, with champagne pairings throughout a multi-course menu, is one of the finest dining experiences in France. The cathedral s stained glass — including windows by Marc Chagall — deserves a leisurely hour of contemplation. A drive through the Champagne vineyards in autumn, when the vines turn gold against chalk hillsides, is pure French countryside magic. The Palais du Tau, the archbishop s palace next to the cathedral, houses coronation treasures and original cathedral statuary.