Chasing History and Champagne in Reims, France
- Lyn (aka Jazz)
- 16 hours ago
- 6 min read
Our journey began amidst the vibrant, bustling canals of Amsterdam, charting a course that would eventually lead us across the channel to London. But a grand road trip is defined by the spaces in between, the places that demand you slow down and savour them. Today, we explore Reims, France.
After navigating some initial travel chaos, we managed to find absolute Canal-side Calm in Bruges, followed closely by A Few Magical Hours in Ghent. Before finally crossing the border into France, we took a deeply emotional detour into twentieth-century history, spending a day uncovering The Echoes of Operation Dynamo in Dunkirk. With our tires warm and our spirits primed for the next chapter, our compass pointed south toward the rolling, vine-covered hills of the Grand Est region. We were heading into Reims, a legendary city built on a foundation of French royalty, resilient history, and, of course, magnificent bubbles.
Table of Contents
The Spirit of Reims, France
Before Reims became synonymous with the world’s finest sparkling wines, this city was the centre of the French monarchy. It was here that the kings of France journeyed to be crowned. Yet, alongside this royal legacy is also a story of profound resilience; Reims was pushed to the brink of destruction during WWI, only to rebuild itself with an elegant grace that honours its deep cultural roots.
We rolled into the city in the late afternoon, the low sun casting long shadows across the historic streets. Wanting to trade our dashboard view for a more intimate perspective, we headed straight to our accommodation to park the rental car for the evening. Reims is a wonderfully compact and walkable destination, but our priority was to find dinner close by and save our explorations for the following day.
Home for our stay was an absolute gem tucked away in a quiet residential pocket of the city: La Petite Maison de Jane. This fabulous two-level tiny home offered the perfect blend of complete privacy and local charm. From the moment we pulled in, we knew we had found something special. The property featured secure, gated parking—a massive relief when you’re navigating foreign roads with a rental car—and opened up to a beautiful, lush yard area complete with an inviting hot tub. Inside, the space was beautifully optimized, boasting a completely equipped kitchen, a large, modern bathroom with a spacious shower, and an incredibly comfortable bedroom that promised a restful night's sleep. Off the kitchen, a fabulous outside deck quickly became our favourite spot to sit back and soak in the evening air. To top it all off, we were welcomed by a very charming hostess whose warm hospitality made us feel instantly at home.
Top Things to See and Do in Reims
Notre-Dame de Reims Cathedral
The Notre-Dame de Reims Cathedral is a High Gothic masterpiece that stands on the site where Clovis, the first King of the Franks, was baptized around 496 AD, establishing a tradition in which 31 French monarchs were crowned within these walls.
As you gaze up at the towering facade, look closely for the famous L'Ange au Sourire (The Smiling Angel) on the north portal, a symbol of the city's enduring joy.
Inside, the sheer scale of the soaring stone nave is balanced by a breathtaking interplay of light. While the medieval rose windows are stunning, it is the magnificent, deep blue stained-glass windows designed by modern master Marc Chagall in the axial chapel that truly stole my breath.
Address: Place du Cardinal Luçon, 51100 Reims
Cost:Â Free admission to the main nave; standard audio guides are available for a small fee.
Visiting Hours:Â Open daily from 7:30 AM to 7:30 PM, though tourist visits are restricted during Sunday religious services.
Maison Fossier’s Pink Biscuits
A stroll through the historic centre inevitably leads you to a lighthearted and delicious piece of local culinary heritage. The Biscuit Rose de Reims is a delicate, double-baked treat that has been a staple of local culture since the late seventeenth century. Originally created by clever bakers looking to use the residual heat from their bread ovens, these vanilla-scented biscuits owe their distinct pink colour to carmine, added to mask the dark specks of vanilla bean pods. They have structural integrity and are specifically designed to be dipped into a glass of Champagne without crumbling.
Stepping into the elegant central boutique of Maison Fossier—the oldest active biscuit factory in France—is a sensory treat, with shelves lined with beautifully packaged pink tins that make for the perfect travel souvenir. We spent quite a bit of time sampling the various flavours and selecting which treats to bring home to share and which ones to have as snacks during the rest of our trip. My favourite is the salted caramel.
Address:Â 25 Cours Jean-Baptiste Langlet, 51100 Reims
Cost: Free to browse the boutique; standard packages typically range from €4 to €8.
Visiting Hours:Â Open Monday through Saturday from 10:00 AM to 7:00 PM; closed on Sundays.
Champagne Tasting at Charles de Cazanove
You cannot visit Reims without sampling the bubbly beverage that gave the region its fame. Our choice for an authentic tasting experience was the historic house of Charles de Cazanove, located just a short walk from the central train station. Their champagne house blends an indulgent, sophisticated atmosphere with incredibly welcoming hospitality.
We opted for a tasting of their exclusive Vieille France selection, a lineup that beautifully showcases the complexity and elegance of traditional Champagne-making techniques.
Every sip was a delight, but our absolute favourite was the ultra-premium Stradivarius Champagne. Housed in a distinct, uniquely curved bottle, it delivered an incredibly refined, complex palate with fine, persistent bubbles that felt like an absolute celebration in a glass.
We struck up a conversation with an Australian couple at the next table and proceeded to spend the rest of the afternoon there, enjoying (too) many glasses of champagne.
Address: 8 Place de la République, 51100 Reims
Cost: Tastings range from €22 to €55+, depending on the number and tier of Champagnes selected.
Visiting Hours:Â Open daily with tours running from 10:00 AM to 1:00 PM, and 2:00 PM to 7:00 PM. B
The Luminiscence Show at Saint-Remi Basilica
On our last evening, we made our way to the ancient Saint-Remi Basilica for an experience that can only be described as completely magical. The Luminiscence show is a state-of-the-art, immersive light-and-sound spectacular that breathes vibrant life into the eleventh-century Romanesque-Gothic architecture.
Sitting under the vaulted stone ceilings, we watched in absolute awe as precision 360-degree video mapping and a spatialized soundtrack transformed the historic walls into a living canvas.
The French-language show chronicled the history of the Basilica, its architecture, and the city's sacred legends, turning a historic monument into a mesmerizing sensory journey that stayed with us long after the lights dimmed. My French is not strong, and I missed much of the narration, but I still thoroughly enjoyed the spectacle.
Address:Â Rue Saint-Remi, 51100 Reims
Cost: Standard adult tickets are priced around €15 to €22, with discounts available for children and students.
Visiting Hours:Â The show runs on select evenings throughout the season, with showtimes varying based on dusk. Tickets must be reserved in advance through the official Luminiscence website.
Looking Ahead: A Sneak Peek at Épernay
While our time wandering the streets of Reims felt complete, no exploration of this effervescent region would be truly fulfilled without visiting its historic sibling just down the road. We eventually ventured a short distance south to Épernay, a town that practically floats on millions of aging bottles. Strolling down the legendary Avenue de Champagne—bordered by opulent, world-famous mansions and subterranean tunnels cut directly into the chalk—was an adventure all its own. We spent an incredible day uncovering its distinct secrets, but a place with that much liquid history deserves its very own space to shine. I am already sorting through our notes, so be sure to keep an eye out for a dedicated Épernay post coming very soon!
Final Thoughts
As we packed up the car at La Petite Maison de Jane to resume our journey toward London, it became clear that Reims had left an indelible mark on us. It is a city that masterfully balances a heavy, solemn historical narrative with an appreciation for the finer things in life. From the quiet grandeur of the cathedral's Chagall windows to the playful pop of a Champagne cork at Charles de Cazanove, Reims invites you to slow down, look upward, and toast to the beauty of the journey. It proved to be the perfect intermediate haven on our road trip—a place where history isn't just trapped in text, but alive in the stone, the lights, and the bubbles.
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