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