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Where To Stay In Reims, France: 5 Best Areas & Neighborhoods

Sunset over Reims Cathedral showcasing its Gothic architecture
Published on: October 12, 2023
Last updated: September 24, 2024

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Brittney Liu

Written by Brittney Liu

Brittney is a lifelong traveler from Oahu, Hawaii. She has visited more than 35 countries and is continually researching new places to explore - even though she hates flying. Her favorite destinations have one thing in common: they're warm. With expertise in French Polynesia, Hawaii, and the Mediterranean, you can follow along as she checks out the cleanest beaches and clearest water on the planet. Brittney has also spent most of her 20s living in the South of France.

The incredible city of Reims is the unofficial capital of France’s famed champagne region. The area is characterized by sprawling wine estates, celebrated champagne houses, and wooded hills and valleys.

Reims is just a 45-minute train ride from the French capital of Paris, making it an incredibly accessible and easy place to visit, especially if you’ve been to France before. If you’d like to expand your exploration of France beyond the City of Love, Reims is an excellent option.

You’ll need a few days to explore this gorgeous region. Spend your days champagne tasting, wandering through beautiful vineyards, learning about French history, or all of the above! The best place to base your stay has to be Reims.

Where to stay in Reims, France
ViaTravelers

Reims is the largest city in the area and has the most options when it comes to accommodation. Reims hotels vary from just the basics to extravagant chateaus. Let’s get into the best areas of Reims to stay while visiting France’s stunning champagne countryside!

TL;DR: Accommodation in Reims

Hotel Name Location Rating Price
Hotel de la Paix 9 Rue Buirette, Reims, France 4.3 $$$
Hotel Azur 9 Rue des Ecrevées, Reims, France 3.9 $
Ibis Styles Reims Centre 21 Boulevard Foch, Reims, France 4.1 $$
Campanile Reims Centre-Cathedrale 46 Rue Buirette, Reims, France 4.0 $$

Areas to Choose Within Reims, France

  • For first-timers/tourists – Reims Centre-Ville 
  • For budget travelers – Reims Nord, Parc des Expositions
  • For luxury travelers – Tinqueux 
  • For families – Saint-Remi

Where to Stay in Reims, France

1. Reims Centre-Ville

Exterior of Reims Cathedral
Kyle Kroeger / ViaTravelers

Centre-Ville is the place to be and where you can find many of the best hotels in the city. It’s a mix of old and new, hallmarked by charming cobblestone streets with the famous Reims Cathedral at the heart of this neighborhood.

When staying in the heart of Reims, you can enjoy stunning architecture, impressive UNESCO World Heritage Sites, and excellent restaurants. The city is home to six Michelin-starred restaurants. Two restaurants, Le Foch and Racine, are in Reims Centre-Ville.

The city center is the best place for first-time visitors to the region to stay in Reims due to its convenient location, close walking distance to most of Reims’ top tourist attractions, and high concentration of hotels in town. It’s also the closest neighborhood to the Reims train station.

Best things to do in Reims Centre-Ville:

Take a tour of Reims’ stunning Notre Dame Cathedral, also known as Reims Cathedral or Notre Dame de Reims. The cathedral is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and was once where coronation for French kings had been held for more than 1,000 years.

Next door, the Palais du Tau (closed for renovations until 2025) showcases many statues formerly in the cathedral. It includes the remains of the Holy Ampulla and was the former residence of the bishops of Reims.

Have a picnic at the tranquil Square de la Patte d’Oie. This park is known for its duck ponds, water fountains, and playgrounds.

Visit the Museum of Fine Arts, home to five centuries of European and French art. Stroll past the Porte de Mars, the widest ancient Roman arch in the world!

  • Enjoy people-watching, dining, and shopping in picturesque Place Drouet d’Erlon.
  • Get a taste of traditional French cuisine and regional dishes at Halles Boulingrin.

Best hotels in Reims Centre-Ville:

See Related: Things to Do in the South of France

2. Tinqueux

The gray, white, brick, and red exterior of L'Assiette Champenoise in Reims, France
L’Assiette Champenoise / Hotels.com

Tinqueux is a suburb of Reims, just west of the city center. It’s quiet and peaceful and makes you feel like you’re in the heart of the Champagne countryside rather than being in a large city.

This charming French suburb is best known for L’Assiette Champenoise, a three-star Michelin restaurant. The highly-praised restaurant’s menu changes with the season and includes many ingredients grown locally in the Champagne region. The restaurant is located in a five-star hotel by the same name.

Tinqueux is a great place to stay for luxury travelers who want to be truly immersed in the beautiful champagne region. I highly recommend renting a car if staying in Tinqueux to easily access the Champagne route that connects various Champagne houses.

Best things to do in Tinqueux:

  • Indulge in a meal at L’Assiette Champenoise, Reims’ only restaurant awarded three Michelin stars.
  • Catch an entertaining musical performance at Le Kabaret Music Hall. This “dinner and a show” venue includes cabaret performances, orchestras, comedies, and more!
  • Take a relaxing walk around the lake at Parc de la Croix Cordier.
  • Visit the Reims Planetarium, which is included in the Reims City Pass.

Best hotels in Tinqueux:

See Related: Things to Do in Epernay

3. Saint-Remi

5-Star Domaine Les Crayères Hotel in Reims with lush gardens and elegant terrace.
Kyle Kroeger / ViaTravelers

Saint-Remi is a fantastic option if you want to stay close to the action but in a bit of a quieter area. This lovely neighborhood is just as picturesque and south of the city center.

At the heart of the Saint-Remi neighborhood is the Basilique Saint-Remi, which dates back to the 11th century and is the largest Romanesque church in Northern France. Situated within the church is a museum showcasing art and artifacts throughout the region dating back to prehistoric times.

Basilique Saint-Remi Architecture
Sergey Novikov / Adobe Stock

Saint-Remi is also a fabulous location for champagne tasting. Veuve Clicquot is one of the most famous champagne houses nearby, which you can visit on a guided tour. Other incredible champagne houses nearby include Champagne Martel, Champagne Vranken, and Champagne Taittinger.

Saint-Remi is the best area for families to stay in Reims. You can find many affordable vacation rentals that can accommodate small families in a quiet area while within short walking distance of many of Reims’s top attractions.

Best things to do in Saint-Remi:

  • Visit the stunning Basilique-Saint Remi, which dates back to the 11th century.
  • If you have extra time, check out the Musée Saint-Remi, located inside the church. This museum displays works of art and artifacts from around the region.
  • Spend a day champagne tasting at various nearby champagne houses. Many, like Veuve Clicquot, offer guided tours of their wine cellars or have an outdoor terrace to enjoy some bubble al fresco.
  • Visit Champagne Vranken’s Villa Demoiselle, which has been converted into an art nouveau and art deco museum.
  • Stop by the nearby Musée Automobile Reims Champagne. This museum showcases a large collection of automobiles, rare motorcycles, and even an impressive collection of miniature cars.
  • Have a meal at Le Parc, the two-star Michelin restaurant at Domaine les Crayères. The menu is inspired by the changing seasons and the surrounding Champagne countryside.

Best hotels in Saint-Remi:

See Related: Things to Do in Menton

4. Reims Nord

Exterior of Cathedral of Notre-Dame of Reims
Fab5669 / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0

If you’re searching for the best Reims hotel deals, the Reims Nord neighborhood will be your top option. You’ll find many accommodations here, including cheap hotels, vacation rentals with spacious rooms, and affordable, sophisticated hotels.

As its name suggests, Reims Nord is the northern part of the city, located north of Reims Centre-Ville and the Reims train station. It extends far north from central Reims, so you must rely on public transportation to reach most of the main attractions.

While Reims Nord features less notable attractions than Reims’ city center, it remains one of the best areas to stay in the Champagne region. The city is easily walkable, and this neighborhood has many fantastic cafes and restaurants.

Best things to do in Reims Nord:

  • Party at La Petite Halle de Quartier Libre Reims. This event space often hosts free parties and events for all to enjoy. There’s a bar, restaurant, dance hall, and even a co-working space if you need to catch up on some work.
  • Spend some time at Musée de la Reddition. This museum showcases the history and artifacts of World War II and is, in fact, the site of the surrender of Nazi Germany, signifying the end of the war.
  • Enjoy the beautiful gardens and fountains of Parc Christian Pozzo di Borgo.
  • Visit Église Saint-Thomas de Reims. This catholic church dates back to the mid-19th century and is one of the most striking churches in Reims.

Best hotels in Reims Nord:

See Related: Things to Do in Mulhouse

5. Parc des Expositions

The exterior of the Mercure hotel in the Parc des Expositions area of Reims, France
Mercure Reims Parc Des Expositions / Booking.com

The Parc des Expositions area of Reims is located southeast of the city center. The Parc des Expositions is a convention center holding many of the city’s most popular events; several hotels are nearby.

With its location on the outskirts of town, this neighborhood is super close to sprawling vineyards and gorgeous green spaces. This neighborhood has multiple parks, the largest of which is the Parc de Champagne.

The Parc de Champagne is the most stunning green space in Reims. It includes a ton of walking paths, a botanical garden, sports fields, an athletic track, and a dog park.

Parc des Expositions is another great place to stay in Reims for budget travelers. As I mentioned, there are quite a few hotels in the area, many of which are wallet-friendly.

It’s quite a long walk from this area to Reims’s city center, but a direct bus leaves from the Parc des Expositions to Reims’s city center and leaves every 15 minutes. The bus brings you to the city center in just over 20 minutes.

Best things to do in Parc des Expositions:

  • Stroll through the scenic Parc de Champagne. This gorgeous park is perfect for a morning or evening walk or run, with several walking paths, gardens, and a running track.
  • Attend an event at Parc des Expositions. There’s always something going on here: the Independent Wine Growers’ Fair or The Culture Food Show. Check out the convention center’s website to see if anything is happening during your visit.
  • Visit the Fort de la Pompelle Museum. This fort was built in 1870 to protect Reims and was a combat site during World War I.

Best hotels in Parc des Expositions:

See Related: Best Wine Regions in France

FAQ

Is it better to stay in Reims or Epernay?

Reims is a decent-sized city with lots to do besides drinking wine and champagne. This includes admiring famous churches, visiting beautiful museums, and eating at world-class restaurants. On the other hand, Epernay is quite a small city but is home to many of the most famous champagne houses.

Is Reims a walkable city?

Reims is a very walkable city, especially if you stay in the city center. Reims also has a comprehensive public transportation system of buses and trams to easily get to and from the city’s outskirts.

How many days should I spend in Reims?

Reims can be visited as a simple day trip if you stay in Paris. However, I recommend spending at least three days exploring the region’s most famous champagne houses in Reims.

Do I need travel insurance when visiting Reims?

Travel insurance is always highly recommended, especially when traveling abroad. Two of our favorite places to shop for travel insurance here at ViaTravelers are TravelInsurance.com and VisitorsCoverage. Both websites are marketplaces, so compare multiple coverage options from providers to fit your trip and travel style.

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