Éco-Hôtels à Reims, France
Stay sustainably in the Champagne capital — UNESCO cathedrals, chalk cellars, and vineyards stretching to the horizon. Every IMPT booking offsets 1 tonne of CO₂.
Pourquoi Séjourner à Reims
Reims is a city that has shaped the very identity of France. For nearly a thousand years, from Clovis I in 496 AD to Charles X in 1825, twenty-five French kings were crowned inside the Cathédrale Notre-Dame de Reims — a 13th-century Gothic masterpiece that stands today as one of the finest achievements of medieval architecture anywhere in Europe. Its west façade alone holds more than 2,300 statues, including the celebrated Smiling Angel (L'Ange au Sourire), which has become an icon of the city. Designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1991, the cathedral remains Reims' spiritual and cultural anchor, drawing visitors from around the world to witness its soaring nave, original stained glass, and windows designed by Marc Chagall in 1974.
Yet Reims is far more than its cathedral. The city is the undisputed capital of Champagne — not just the wine, but the entire region. Some of the world's most prestigious Champagne houses are headquartered here: Veuve Clicquot, whose cellars stretch beneath the hillside of Saint-Nicaise; Taittinger, housed in the crypt of a 13th-century abbey; Pommery, with its spectacular Elizabethan-style château and 18 kilometres of galleries; and Ruinart, founded in 1729, making it the oldest Champagne house in existence. These houses age their bottles in the crayères — vast chalk cellars carved from Gallo-Roman quarries that burrow up to thirty metres below the surface. The crayères themselves were inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List in 2015 as part of the Champagne Hillsides, Houses and Cellars designation, placing Reims at the heart of a viticultural landscape recognised as being of outstanding universal value.
Beyond wine and coronation history, Reims is a city of remarkable architectural resilience. Devastated during the First World War — 80% of its buildings were destroyed during four years of bombardment — it was rebuilt in the 1920s and 1930s in a striking Art Deco style that gives the modern city its distinctive character. The Carnegie Library, the Halles du Boulingrin market hall with its parabolic concrete vault, and numerous façades along the grand boulevards all testify to this extraordinary period of reconstruction. The Basilique Saint-Remi, another UNESCO World Heritage Site, preserves Romanesque and Gothic architecture dating back to the 11th century and houses the tomb of Saint Remigius, the bishop who baptised Clovis. Just south of the city, the Montagne de Reims regional natural park unfolds across vineyard-clad hills, beech forests, and the curious faux de Verzy — dwarf beeches found almost nowhere else on earth. Place Drouet-d'Erlon, the city's central square, buzzes with café terraces, brasseries, and a gilded fountain, making it the natural gathering point for both locals and visitors. For the eco-conscious traveller, Reims' compact, walkable centre, excellent tram network, and fast TGV connection from Paris make it a destination that rewards slow, sustainable exploration.
Reims at a Glance
Profiter au Maximum de Your Stay
The fastest and most sustainable way to reach Reims is aboard the TGV from Paris Gare de l'Est. The journey takes just 45 minutes, and trains run frequently throughout the day — making Reims one of the most accessible major cities in France for a weekend break or even a day trip. The TGV arrives at the Gare de Champagne-Ardenne, located about five kilometres south-east of the centre, from where Line A of the tramway whisks you into town in roughly ten minutes. If you prefer to arrive at the city-centre Gare de Reims, slower regional TER trains make the trip from Paris in about 90 minutes.
Once in Reims, the historic centre is entirely walkable. The cathedral, the Palais du Tau, Place Drouet-d'Erlon, and the Art Deco market hall are all within a comfortable fifteen-minute stroll of each other. The Champagne houses are clustered to the south-east, along the Rue du Barbâtre and the hill of Saint-Nicaise — a pleasant 25-minute walk from the cathedral, or a short tram ride. For exploring the wider Champagne countryside, a day trip to Épernay is unmissable. Just 30 kilometres south, Épernay is home to the celebrated Avenue de Champagne, a single boulevard lined with the headquarters of Moët & Chandon, Perrier-Jouët, and Pol Roger, beneath which an estimated one hundred kilometres of cellars hold millions of bottles. Regular trains connect the two cities in about 25 minutes.
If you have time to venture further, the Montagne de Reims regional natural park sits between Reims and Épernay and offers marked vineyard trails perfect for walking or cycling. The village of Verzy, at the park's heart, is the starting point for trails through the Faux de Verzy — a forest of rare, twisted dwarf beech trees that have puzzled botanists for centuries. Harvest season (les vendanges) typically falls in September, when the hillsides glow golden-green and many estates open their doors for special tastings and harvest celebrations. However, even outside of harvest, Champagne house tours run year-round — just be sure to book ahead during the peak summer months. The city's Christmas market (Marché de Noël) transforms the Place Drouet-d'Erlon and the area around the cathedral each December, offering an atmospheric alternative for winter travellers.
Où Séjourner — Neighbourhood Guide
Centre-Ville & Cathedral Quarter
The heart of Reims and the obvious choice for first-time visitors. You're steps from the cathedral, the Palais du Tau, and the buzzing Place Drouet-d'Erlon. Restaurants, boutiques, and tram stops are on your doorstep. Hotels here range from luxurious five-stars in converted townhouses to comfortable three-star properties. The trade-off is price — this is Reims' most sought-after neighbourhood and rates reflect it.
Boulingrin
Named after its magnificent Art Deco market hall (Les Halles du Boulingrin, reopened in 2012 after a careful restoration), this area sits just north of the cathedral and attracts a slightly more local crowd. It's still walkable to everything, but feels less touristy. Great for foodies who want to browse the market's stalls of Champagne, regional cheeses, and charcuterie each morning.
Clairmarais & Saint-Nicaise
The south-eastern district where many of the great Champagne houses have their headquarters and cellars. If your trip revolves around wine, this puts you closest to the action — Veuve Clicquot, Taittinger, and Pommery are all in this quarter. The neighbourhood is leafy and residential, with the Parc de Champagne (a large public green space) nearby. It's a 20-minute walk or short tram ride to the cathedral.
Faubourgs & Budget-Friendly Areas
For budget-conscious travellers, the residential faubourgs to the north and west of the centre offer more affordable accommodation. You're slightly further from the main sights, but the tram and bus network keeps you connected. Neighbourhoods like Jean-Jaurès and Wilson are safe, quiet, and well-served by supermarkets and local restaurants.
Hotels in Reims
Que Faire à Reims
Cathédrale Notre-Dame de Reims
The jewel of Reims and a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1991. This 13th-century Gothic masterpiece hosted the coronation of 25 French kings, from Clovis I in 496 to Charles X in 1825. Marvel at the 2,300 exterior statues — especially the famous Smiling Angel — then step inside to see stained glass by Marc Chagall. Free entry; the tower tour (by guided visit) offers panoramic views across the city and surrounding vineyards.
Palais du Tau
Immediately adjacent to the cathedral, this former archbishop's palace served as the banqueting hall for coronation feasts. Now a museum, it houses original statuary from the cathedral's façade, royal coronation robes, the Talisman of Charlemagne, and the Sainte Ampoule (Holy Ampulla) used in the anointing ceremony. A UNESCO World Heritage Site in its own right, it brings the coronation story vividly to life.
Basilique Saint-Remi
The oldest church in Reims, dating to the 11th century and also inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List. It houses the tomb of Saint Remigius (Saint Remi), the bishop who baptised Clovis and, in doing so, forged the bond between the French monarchy and the Catholic Church. The Romanesque nave and 12th-century choir are striking, and the adjacent museum occupies the former royal abbey.
Champagne House Tours
The real magic lies underground. Veuve Clicquot's cellars stretch for 25 kilometres beneath the Colline Saint-Nicaise. Taittinger's tours descend into 4th-century crayères (chalk quarries) where monks once sheltered. Pommery's vast galleries display contemporary art installations alongside millions of ageing bottles. Ruinart — founded in 1729, the world's oldest Champagne house — offers intimate tastings in some of the most spectacular crayères of all. Book in advance, especially during summer.
Musée des Beaux-Arts
Housed in the 18th-century Abbey of Saint-Denis, this fine arts museum holds an impressive collection spanning the 16th to 20th centuries. Highlights include works by Cranach the Elder, David, Delacroix, Corot, Gauguin, and Monet. A notable set of 27 portraits by the German Renaissance masters, one of the best in France, is worth seeking out.
Place Drouet-d'Erlon
The social heart of Reims. This long, pedestrianised square runs from the Porte de Mars (a 3rd-century Roman triumphal arch, the widest surviving in the Roman world at 33 metres) southwards, lined with café terraces, brasseries, and boutiques. The gilded Subé fountain at its centre dates to 1906. This is where locals and visitors converge — for morning coffee, lunchtime menus, and evening apéritifs.
Les Halles du Boulingrin
A masterpiece of interwar Art Deco architecture, this market hall was designed by Émile Maigrot and completed in 1929, featuring a spectacular parabolic concrete vault that was structurally revolutionary for its time. After decades of neglect, the hall was beautifully restored and reopened in 2012. Today it hosts a morning food market (Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday) selling Champagne, regional cheeses, charcuterie, seasonal produce, and the famous biscuits roses de Reims.
Fort de la Pompelle — WWI Museum
Five kilometres south-east of the city, this restored WWI fort tells the story of Reims under bombardment. From September 1914 to October 1918, the city endured near-continuous shelling that destroyed 80% of its buildings, including the roof of the cathedral. The museum holds uniforms, weaponry, trench maps, and one of the largest collections of German helmets in France. A sobering complement to the rebuilt city's Art Deco optimism.
Walking & Green Spaces
Cathedral to Basilique Saint-Remi Heritage Walk
A 3-kilometre walk from the Cathédrale Notre-Dame south through the old town to the Basilique Saint-Remi, passing the Palais du Tau, the Musée des Beaux-Arts, medieval streets, and Art Deco façades. Allow 45 minutes for the walk alone, or a full half-day with museum visits. The route connects both UNESCO sites on foot and is entirely flat.
La Coulée Verte
Reims' green corridor follows the course of the old Vesle canal through the city, linking parks, garden squares, and tree-lined stretches. It's popular with joggers, cyclists, and families, and connects the Parc de la Patte d'Oie in the west with the Parc de Champagne in the south-east — a 23-hectare park originally created for Champagne house Pommery.
Montagne de Reims Vineyard Walk from Verzy
Just 25 kilometres south of the city, the village of Verzy sits on the Montagne de Reims and serves as the starting point for vineyard walks through Grand Cru Pinot Noir territory. The trail to the Faux de Verzy (dwarf beech forest) is a 4-kilometre loop through one of the most unusual forests in Europe. Combine it with a visit to the Verzenay Lighthouse (Phare de Verzenay), an 1899 folly that now houses a museum of Champagne viticulture.