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Reims

Reims (also spelt Rheims) is in the Champagne-Ardenne region, in the north of France. Reims suffered very badly from during bombing in WWI and, as you approach the town, does not create a very good first impression. However stick at it, there is more to discover here than meets the eye.

Of its squares, the principal are the Place Royale, with a statue of Louis XV, and the Place Cardinal-Luçon, with an equestrian statue of Joan of Arc. The Rue de Vesle, the chief street, continued under other names, traverses the town from southwest to northwest, passing through the Place Royale.

Place Drouet d'Erlon in the city centre is packed with lively restaurants and bars, and several attractive statues and fountains. During the summer it is filled with people sitting outside the many cafés enjoying the summer sun, and in December it has a lively and charming Christmas market.

Roman remains

The oldest monument in Reims is the Porte de Mars ("Mars Gate", so called from a temple to Mars in the neighbourhood), a triumphal arch 108 ft. in length by 43 in height, consisting of three archways flanked by columns. It is popularly supposed to have been erected by the Remi in honour of Augustus when Agrippa made the great roads terminating at the town, but probably belongs to the 3rd or 4th century. The Mars Gate was one of 4 Roman gates to the city walls, which were restored at the time of the Norman Invasion of northern France in the 9th century.

Please see separate page: Reims Cathedral, Palace of Tau and Reims Basilica

Reims: tourist information, map, travel plans and gites

PLAN A VISIT TO REIMS Hotels Reims Hotels in Reims Holiday rentals / travel See Champagne-Ardenne gites Car hire Reims Property for sale Reims Champagne-Ardenne property for sale PLACES TO VISIT NEAR REIMS Explore places near Reims

Places to visit - Reims

Explore places within about 70 kilometres on a map: Reims.

Some of the closer places are listed below (distances from Reims are approximate and direct - as the crow flies. Only places listed on the france this way site are shown!)

• Cathedral, Abbey and Palace, Reims World Heritage Site at 0 km
• Chamery town at 13 km
• Epernay Attractive town at 25 km
• Rilly-la-Montagne town at 10 km

- See also Reims (version Francais)

 

Tourist Classifications for Reims

- Listed as "Ville d'Art et Histoire" (ie focus on preserving the town heritage)
- Town is "Ville Fleurie category 4" (ie good attention to gardens and flowers)

 

Information and photos

This travel guide has information, holidays and photos of Reims when available. If you have any photos or relevant information please send them to us! Full credit will be given if they are used.