Reims

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Reims (pronounced Rays, also spelled "Rheims" in English), a city in northern France, is perhaps best known for its cathedral, where generations of French kings were crowned.

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Cathedral

[edit] Understand

Reims, together with Épernay and Ay, is one of the great centers of Champagne production. Many of the largest Champagne producing houses, referred to as les grandes marques, have their headquarters in Reims. Most are open for champagne tasting and tours by appointment only. Champagne is aged in the many chalk caves and tunnels, some originating in the Roman period, under Reims.

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[edit] Get around

[edit] See

• Reims Cathedral (Notre-Dame de Reims) - the French equivalent, somewhat, for England's Westminster Abbey, the Cathedral at Reims was the church in which numerous French monarchs were officially crowned. Reims is one of the later Gothic cathedrals and renowned for its height. There is a fine interior west facade with carvings of Biblical scenes; some fine 13c stained glass in the high windows of the nave and choir; and windows by Marc Chagall (in the eastern chapel) and the two local artists Jacques and Brigitte Simon. The south transept window by Jacques Simon shows themes linked with champagne including a portrait of the monk who invented it, Dom Perignon.
• The Palace of Tau was the archbishop's palace and retains a 13c Palatine chapel.
• The Porte de Mars - a large late-Roman period triumphal arch
• The Hotel de la Salle - a fine Renaissance mansion
• The so-called Hotel des Contes de Champagne is a fine Gothic merchant's house.
• The Town Hall dates from the 17th century. Behind it on the right is a fine art nouveau building originally for Mumm champagne, with mosaics showing the champagne making process.
• Saint Remi Basilica, a Romanesque church some way south of the centre of town.
• The many champagne houses and the chalk caves that are used to store and age the champagne. Most of the houses have several guided tours throughout the day in a variety of languages for a small fee, which usally includes a sample at the end of the tour. It is a good idea to call ahead to ensure that you don't miss the tour you are interested in.
  • Veuve Cliquot
  • Piper Heidsieck
  • Taittinger
  • Pommery
  • Ruinart

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Many restaurants and brassieries are to be found off the Place d'Erlon in the north of the city.

[edit] Drink

Champagne of course !

[edit] Sleep

Reasonably priced hotels off the Place d'Erlon include Grand Hotel du Nord and Hotel Cristal. Most of these hotels have a reasonably priced deal with the underground car park in Place d'Erlon, but remember to ask for a ticket at entrance to the car park and don't use your credit card, or you will end up paying twice.

[edit] Get out