Things to Do in Reims, France: Walking Guide

Reims is a historic city in the Grand Est region of France, famous for its Gothic cathedral, royal coronation heritage, and its role as the gateway to the Champagne vineyards. Visitors come to see centuries‑old monuments, sample world‑renowned sparkling wine, and stroll through lively squares that blend medieval charm with modern culture. Neywo offers a free audio guide for Reims with 108 narrated places, letting you explore at your own pace.

Explore Reims

Reims Cathedral (Notre‑Dame de Reims)

The cathedral dominates the city centre as one of France’s major Gothic monuments. Dedicated to the Virgin Mary, it has been the traditional setting for the coronation of French kings since the 11th century. Construction began in the early 13th century and finished in the 14th, giving the building a unified appearance adorned with 2,303 statues. After a fire destroyed an earlier church in 1210, the current structure was erected, only to suffer severe damage during World War I. Extensive 20th‑century restoration returned it to its present splendor.

Basilica of Saint‑Remi

Just a short walk from the cathedral, the Basilica of Saint‑Remi ranks as Reims’s second most important church. Founded in the 11th century over the chapel where Saint Remi was buried, it retains its status as the largest Romanesque church in northern France, although later additions from the 12th to 15th centuries have layered its architecture. The basilica was linked to the royal Abbey of Saint‑Remi, which guarded the holy oil used to anoint French monarchs at their coronations.

Ancien Collège des Jésuites de Reims

This former Jesuit college, established in 1608, showcases Baroque art in its library and refectory. After the Jesuits were expelled from France in 1762, the building served various educational purposes through the 19th century. Today, the preserved interiors offer a glimpse into the order’s artistic legacy and the city’s intellectual history.

Palace of Tau

Adjacent to the cathedral, the Palace of Tau was the archbishop’s residence and the stage for royal coronation ceremonies. Its name derives from a medieval ground plan shaped like the Greek letter Tau (resembling a T). The oldest part is an early Gothic chapel from 1207; much of the complex was rebuilt in the late Gothic style between 1498 and 1509, then given Baroque touches by Jules Hardouin Mansart and Robert de Cotte between 1671 and 1710. Kings spent the night here before their coronation, were dressed in the palace, and celebrated afterward in the Salle du Tau, whose 15th‑century fireplace still stands.

Museum of Fine Arts of Reims

Located on Rue Chanzy, the Musée des Beaux-Arts has been a home for fine art since its founding in 1794. In 2018 it welcomed over 36,000 visitors, reflecting its ongoing role in Reims’s cultural life. The collections span several centuries and provide a quiet counterpoint to the city’s bustling historic sites.

Musée Saint‑Remi

Housed in the former Abbey of Saint‑Remi, this museum of archaeology and art tells the story of the abbey that kept the relics of Saint Remigius, the bishop who converted Clovis to Christianity in 496. The adjacent Basilica of Saint‑Remi, consecrated in 1049, served as the abbey church. Together, the museum and basilica have been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1991, recognised for their outstanding architecture and significance to the early French monarchy.

Église Saint‑Jacques de Reims

Considered the oldest preserved church in Reims after the Basilica of Saint‑Remi, the Église Saint‑Jacques dates back to the 12th century. Situated in the Marne region, it remains a notable place of worship and a quiet testament to the city’s medieval religious life.

Le Manège (Reims Circus)

Built in the second half of the 19th century, Le Manège combines a 475‑seat theatre with an 800‑seat permanent circus. The theatre and circus were erected in 1865 and 1867, designed by architect Narcisse Brunette, with the circus model inspired by Parisian examples from Hittorff. Both structures are protected as monuments historiques and continue to host theatre, circus, and contemporary performances.

Église Saint‑Nicaise de Reims

This distinctive parish church dates from the 1920s and was built in a garden‑city setting. Its Romano‑Byzantine style sets it apart, and it was designed by architect Jean‑Marcel Auburtin. The interior and exterior feature works by notable artists of the period, including Maurice Denis, René Lalique, and Ernest Laurent, and the building is listed as a historic monument.

Carnegie Library of Reims

After World War I, the Carnegie Library of Reims was constructed with a donation from philanthropist Andrew Carnegie, who aimed to provide free public libraries for all. Reims was one of three front‑line cities to receive such a gift (alongside Leuven and Belgrade). Work began in 1921 under architect Max Sainsaulieu, and the library opened on June 10 1928, inaugurated by French President Gaston Doumergue and American ambassador Myron T. Herrick. Its elegant Art Deco design, harmonious proportions, and modern library‑science features earned it a place in France’s inventory of Historic Monuments.

Cryptoportique de Reims

Beneath Place du Forum lies the Cryptoportique de Reims, a U‑shaped underground gallery that formed part of the Roman forum in the 3rd century. Originally built to support the forum above, it also functioned as a horreum for storing grain, protected from light and heat, and could serve as a cool promenade on hot days. Today, a small museum presents the excavations, and the site is regarded as one of the few surviving examples of its kind worldwide.

Explore with Neywo

Neywo’s free audio guide turns a walk through Reims into a self‑guided discovery. The app offers four walking tours and one bus route:

• “Where the Kings of France Were Crowned” – 1.55 km, 106 minutes, 11 stops
• “Saint‑Remi: Clovis, Jesuits and Champagne Belle Époque” – 2.76 km, 116 minutes, 10 stops
• “Roman Gates, Champagne Cellars and the Surrender Room” – 2.98 km, 105 minutes, 10 stops
• “Opera, Fine Arts and the Paris Gate” – 2.19 km, 100 minutes, 10 stops
• Bus line “Citura Line 4: Surrender Room to Saint‑Remi” – 6.3 km, 27 minutes, 6 stops

Each story plays automatically as you reach the corresponding spot, allowing you to move at your own pace without a group or a fixed schedule. Narration is available in 11 languages, so you can choose the language that suits you best. Download Neywo, select a tour, and let the city’s stories unfold step by step.