Self-Guided Walking Tour in Reims

A self-guided route through Reims that starts at the Roman Porte Mars, runs down the pedestrian Place Drouet d'Erlon, loops south to the Basilique Saint-Remi, then returns past the Palais du Tau to the cathedral where French kings were crowned. Five stops over 5.5 km, with a map, per-leg walking times, and real hours and prices.

5 Stops5.5 km~2 hours walkingabout 2 hours with stops
See Interactive MapStartGPS Navigation + AI Guide

Try it for free

What you get with AI Tourguide
Full GPS navigationInteractive AI guidePersonalized to youWorks in your browser
Try this tour with Alex
See Interactive MapStartGPS Navigation + AI Guide

Try it for free

Reims Walking Tour at a Glance

This route is built for travellers who want the full arc of Reims on foot, Roman, medieval, royal and Gothic, without a fixed group or a rigid schedule. Every interior along the way is optional: you can step inside each one or simply admire it from the street and keep walking. The outdoor path itself is free to follow from start to finish.

StartPorte de Mars
FinishReims Cathedral (Cathédrale Notre-Dame de Reims)
Route typeA mostly linear north-to-south route with one southern spur. You begin at Porte Mars on the northern edge of the old center, head south, detour south-east to the basilica, then walk back north-west to finish at the cathedral, so there is a little backtracking but no full loop.
Realistic timeAround 2 hours in total. The 5.5 km of walking is roughly 70 minutes on its own; stepping inside the basilica, the Palais du Tau and the cathedral is what fills out the rest of the time.
DifficultyEasy. It is 5.5 km on flat, fully paved streets with no real hills, aside from a short stretch of older paving near the basilica. Comfortable everyday shoes are plenty.
Cost to followWalking the route and stepping into the churches costs nothing: Porte Mars, Place Drouet d'Erlon, the Basilique Saint-Remi and Reims Cathedral are all free. The only paid interior is the Palais du Tau at 8 euros.
Best for:

Anyone who wants Roman ruins, coronation history and Gothic architecture in one compact, easy half-day on foot, ideally combined with a Champagne tasting the same afternoon.

The Route

Free Walking Tour Map of Reims

5 stops5.5 kmabout 2 hours
Loading the interactive map…The complete walking route will appear here.
Want the route to guide you while you walk?Open the route with navigation and a personal guide for the history, stories and questions that matter to you.
Open route + AI guide

The 5 stops along this route

  1. Porte de Mars in Reims, stop 1 on the self-guided walking tour
    1Porte de Mars
  2. Place Drouet-d’Erlon in Reims, stop 2 on the self-guided walking tour
    2Place Drouet-d’Erlon
  3. Basilica of Saint-Remi (Basilique Saint-Remi de Reims) in Reims, stop 3 on the self-guided walking tour
    3Basilica of Saint-Remi (Basilique Saint-Remi de Reims)
  4. Palace of Tau (Palais du Tau) in Reims, stop 4 on the self-guided walking tour
    4Palace of Tau (Palais du Tau)
  5. Reims Cathedral (Cathédrale Notre-Dame de Reims) in Reims, stop 5 on the self-guided walking tour
    5Reims Cathedral (Cathédrale Notre-Dame de Reims)
  6. That's the complete route.

    If you want more than the map and text, add live navigation and a conversational AI guide while you walk.

    Open route + AI guide
    You made it
Stop 1 of 5
Swipe →

Your Reims Walking Tour, Stop by Stop

  1. 1

    Porte de Mars

    Porte de Mars in Reims, stop 1 on the self-guided walking tour

    Your walk begins at the widest surviving Roman triumphal arch anywhere in the former empire. This 3rd-century gate once marked the entrance to Durocortorum, the capital of Roman Gaul's second province, and it still stands 13 meters wide and over 6 meters tall. Look up at the underside of the three arches: the carvings depict Romulus and Remus, the founding legend of Rome itself, along with scenes of agricultural life. The arch was actually built into the city walls during the Middle Ages, which ironically protected it from demolition. It was only freed from surrounding buildings in the early 1800s. Stand on Place de la Republique facing the arch and you get the full scale of it. Open 24/7, free.

    Hours
    Open 24/7
    Price
    Free
  2. 2

    Place Drouet-d’Erlon

    Place Drouet-d’Erlon in Reims, stop 2 on the self-guided walking tour

    Heading south from Porte Mars you reach the main artery of daily life in Reims. This long pedestrianized boulevard is anchored by a golden winged statue of Victory atop a central fountain, and the entire stretch is lined with brasseries that serve from morning espresso through late-night Champagne. Sit at one of the terrace tables on the western side for the best people-watching angle. The square is named after a Napoleonic general born in Reims, and it buzzes hardest on Saturday mornings when locals pour in. If you want to eat on this walk, this is the spot: the brasseries serve solid French standards at reasonable prices, while the side streets hide a few wine bars where you can taste grower Champagne by the glass. Open 24/7, free.

    Hours
    Open 24/7
    Price
    Free
  3. 3

    Basilica of Saint-Remi (Basilique Saint-Remi de Reims)

    Basilica of Saint-Remi (Basilique Saint-Remi de Reims) in Reims, stop 3 on the self-guided walking tour

    The walk south takes you away from the tourist center to this Romanesque basilica, which is older, darker, and far quieter than the cathedral. It was built to house two sacred objects: the holy ampulla used to anoint French kings during coronation, and the relics of Saint Remi, the bishop who baptized Clovis in 496 AD. Inside, the transition from heavy Romanesque nave to soaring Gothic choir is striking. The 12th-century capitals along the nave columns are carved with scenes of biblical stories and medieval daily life. The adjacent former abbey now houses the Musee Saint-Remi, worth a quick look if you have time. Most visitors skip this basilica entirely because it sits about a kilometer south of the cathedral, which means you will often have the space to yourself. Open daily 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM, free.

    Hours
    Daily: 8:30 AM – 5:00 PM
    Price
    Free
  4. 4

    Palace of Tau (Palais du Tau)

    Palace of Tau (Palais du Tau) in Reims, stop 4 on the self-guided walking tour

    Walking back north toward the cathedral, you reach the former archbishop's palace where French kings held their coronation banquets. The building takes its name from its original T-shaped floor plan. Inside, the massive Salle du Festin still has a fireplace large enough to roast a whole ox, exactly as it was used during medieval coronation feasts. The treasury upstairs is the real draw: it holds Charlemagne's talisman, the coronation chalice of Saint Remi, and royal vestments worn by actual kings of France. The collection of original cathedral statuary removed during restoration is also here, letting you see up close carvings you can only squint at from street level. Open Tuesday to Sunday 10:00 AM to 12:30 PM and 2:00 PM to 5:30 PM, closed Mondays. Admission is €8.

    Hours
    Tue-Sun 10am-12:30pm, 2pm-5:30pm (closed Mondays)
    Price
    €8
  5. 5

    Reims Cathedral (Cathédrale Notre-Dame de Reims)

    Reims Cathedral (Cathédrale Notre-Dame de Reims) in Reims, stop 5 on the self-guided walking tour

    Your walk ends at the cathedral where 33 French kings were crowned between 498 and 1825, making it arguably the most politically significant cathedral in all of France. The west facade alone holds over 2,300 statues, more than any other Gothic cathedral in Europe. Find the famous Smiling Angel on the left portal of the north transept: this 13th-century figure became a symbol of French resilience after German shelling destroyed part of the facade during World War I. Inside, Marc Chagall designed the stained glass windows in the axial chapel in 1974, their deep blues creating an almost underwater atmosphere. The nave stretches 138 meters and the interior light shifts dramatically depending on the time of day. Late afternoon sun through the western rose window is the most rewarding. Open Monday to Saturday 7:30 AM to 7:15 PM, Sunday 7:30 AM to 7:10 PM, free.

    Hours
    Mon-Sat: 7:30 AM – 7:15 PM | Sun: 7:30 AM – 7:10 PM
    Price
    Free

How Long Does This Walking Tour Really Take?

Plan for about 2 hours. Pure walking across the 5.5 km is close to 70 minutes, and the three interiors you can enter, the basilica, the Palais du Tau and the cathedral, are what stretch the visit toward the full two hours. Skip the southern basilica loop and the whole thing drops under 3 km and about an hour.

Allow about 2 hours for the full 5.5 km route, including time to step inside each stop. The basilica loop adds the most distance. If you skip it, the remaining walk is under 3 km and takes about an hour.

Full Route, Shorter Walk or Two-Day Version?

The full walk is short, but the southern spur to the Basilique Saint-Remi accounts for a big share of the distance. Depending on how much time you have and how much royal history you want, here are three ways to do it.

Full route

All five stops, north to south

Stops 1 to 5, Porte Mars through Reims Cathedral, about 5.5 km and roughly 2 hours

The complete walk: the Roman Porte Mars, the cafe-lined Place Drouet d'Erlon, the quiet Romanesque Basilique Saint-Remi, the coronation palace of the Palais du Tau, and finally the cathedral. Best if you want the full sweep of the city's history and don't mind the longer southern detour.

Short version

The center without the basilica loop

Stops 1, 2, 4 and 5, skipping the basilica, under 3 km and about 1 hour

Drop the Basilique Saint-Remi, which sits a good kilometer south of everything else, and the two long legs to and from it disappear. You still get the Roman arch, the main square, the Palais du Tau and the cathedral in a tight, mostly straight-line walk. The obvious choice if you're short on time.

Easy split

Two relaxed halves around a coffee break

Part one stops 1 to 3 ending at the basilica, part two stops 4 and 5 at the cathedral, split at Place Drouet d'Erlon

Do the northern arch, the square and the long walk down to the basilica first, then pause for lunch or a coffee on Place Drouet d'Erlon before finishing with the Palais du Tau and the cathedral. A gentle way to spread the same route across a fuller day, or to work a Champagne tasting in between.

You can walk it in reverse, starting at Reims Cathedral and ending at Porte Mars, and the paving is easy either way. The north-to-south direction is recommended because it saves the cathedral and its treasury for last, building from Roman gate to Gothic climax rather than opening on the highlight.

Is This Reims Walking Tour Right for You?

This is one of the easier city walks we map: short, flat and fully paved, with just three optional interiors. Here is who it suits and how to bend it to your day.

A good fit if you…

  • First-time visitors who want the whole story of Reims, Roman, royal and Gothic, in a single half-day
  • Anyone combining the walk with a Champagne cellar tasting the same afternoon
  • Travellers who prefer flat, paved ground with no hills and no long stretches of cobblestone
  • History-minded visitors drawn to coronation regalia and the Palais du Tau treasury

Adapt the route if you…

  • You're short on time: cut the Basilique Saint-Remi and keep it under 3 km and about an hour
  • You're visiting on a Monday: the Palais du Tau is closed, so build the day around the free churches instead
  • You want to eat mid-walk: stop on Place Drouet d'Erlon, where the brasserie terraces run from morning coffee to late Champagne
  • You're walking with kids: the route is short and flat, and the arch and cathedral hold their attention easily

Tickets & Skip-the-Line in Reims

Almost this entire walk is free and outdoors, so there is very little to pre-book.

Palace of Tau (Palais du Tau)The only stop with an entry fee, admission 8 euros. Open Tuesday to Sunday 10 AM to 12:30 PM and 2 PM to 5:30 PM, closed Mondays and with a midday break, so time your arrival before 12:30 or after 2 PM.
Everything elsePorte Mars, Place Drouet d'Erlon, Basilique Saint-Remi and Reims Cathedral are all free. Porte Mars and the square are open 24/7, the basilica daily 8:30 AM to 5 PM, and the cathedral Monday to Saturday 7:30 AM to 7:15 PM (Sunday until 7:10 PM). No tickets or queues to worry about.
Optional upgrade
+1
The same 5-stop route,
now with navigation and a guide.
Optional AI experience

You already have the route.
The AI guide brings it to life.

Standing under the monumental Porte Mars or in front of the cathedral where 33 kings were crowned? Open AI Tourguide in your browser, no app and no download, and a voice guide walks the whole route with you, greeting you, telling the story from the Basilique Saint-Remi to the treasures at the Palais du Tau and asking what you want to see so it can adapt as you go. A real conversation built into the walk, not a recording. Start with 100 free credits.

Livenavigation13languagesAnyquestionYourinterests
▶Open this route with the AI guide

Try it in your browser · No app or download required

Tips for Walking in Reims

  • Start at Porte Mars by 9:30 AM to reach Basilique Saint-Remi before any tour groups arrive. The basilica is almost always empty, but mornings guarantee you the space entirely to yourself.
  • The Palais du Tau closes on Mondays and has a midday break (12:30 to 2:00 PM). Plan your walk to arrive between 10:00 and 12:00 or after 2:00 PM, or you will find the doors locked.
  • Comfortable flat shoes are fine for this route. Reims is entirely flat and all surfaces are paved. No cobblestones to worry about except a small stretch near the basilica.
  • After finishing at the cathedral, walk 15 minutes southeast to Avenue de Champagne in nearby Epernay for tastings, or visit Taittinger or Veuve Clicquot cellars within Reims itself. Book cellar tours at least a day ahead.
  • The Saturday morning market at Place du Boulingrin (5 minutes north of Porte Mars) is excellent for local cheeses, charcuterie, and obviously Champagne. If your visit falls on a Saturday, start there before the walk.

Where to Eat Along the Route

The route runs right past Place Drouet d'Erlon, the tourist dining hub, and the terraces ringing the cathedral. That is exactly where the food gets pricey and average, so save your appetite for the squares and side streets where Reims actually eats and drinks.

  • Place du Forum, a two minute detour from the cathedral, is the beating heart of the local scene, where Champagne producers come to drink after work and wine bars pour growers by the glass.
  • Rue de Mars, up near the covered market, delivers the best value: brasseries and a tiny seafood bistro packed with locals, busiest on Saturday morning when the farmers market is on.
  • Place Drouet d'Erlon is fine for people watching and a burger with boutique Champagne, but stick to the named spots below rather than the first terrace that grabs you.
  • Rue Chanzy and the quieter western streets are where residents go, less foot traffic and better tapas and wine lists than anything cathedral-adjacent.
Cafe du Palais⌖A fifth-generation Art Deco institution from 1930 with over-the-top friendly staff and hearty saucey food like duck confit; an affordable lunch (around 50 euros a head) between stops, closed Sundays and Mondays.
Le Wine Bar (Place du Forum)⌖Over 500 wine references and 200 Champagnes with 20 by the glass, ideal for a glass and small bites without committing to a full meal; closed Sundays.
Le Bocal⌖A 14-seat marine bistro tucked behind the Poissonnerie des Halles fish shop on Rue de Mars, amazingly fresh oysters and seafood; book ahead, closed Sundays and Mondays, with a Thursday oyster happy hour from 6:30 to 8:30 PM.
Brasserie du Boulingrin⌖Classic Art Deco brasserie across from the covered food market, steak tartare and hanger steak in proper brasserie style; solid mid-range value, closed Sundays.

Skip the terraces immediately around the cathedral and the loudest signs on Place Drouet d'Erlon promising the best of anything in town; they cater to tourists with inflated prices, and always ask for une carafe d'eau so you are not charged for bottled water you never wanted.

Tourist Traps to Avoid in Reims

Reims has no scam scene of its own worth the name; the real pitfalls are a couple of local practicalities plus the standard French street cons that follow tourists everywhere.

  • Never take a cab from someone who approaches you at the train station offering to help; a well-dressed tout will load your bags and demand a fee before an inflated ride. Walk to the official rank and use only taxis with a rooftop sign and a working meter.
  • Plan around Sunday: much of the city shuts down, restaurants close and taxis vanish, so confirm what is open before a Sunday walk or pack food.
  • Ignore anyone who picks up a gold ring and asks if you dropped it, or tries to tie a friendship bracelet on your wrist or push a free rose at you; both end in a demand for cash and often a pickpocket working alongside.
  • Wave off clipboard petitions and the three-cup street gambling game near crowded pedestrian areas; the whole crowd is in on the game and even watching invites theft.
  • In tourist-zone restaurants, photograph the posted menu prices, ask for an itemized bill and check for a small-print couvert charge; service is already included by law so no extra tip is expected.
  • Buy Champagne and Fossier rose biscuits from proper shops or the covered market rather than cathedral souvenir stalls, and compare Champagne house tour prices online first, since smaller independent growers often give a better and cheaper visit than the big brands.

Why Walk This Route?

This 5.5 km walk through Reims connects 5 stops over roughly 2 hours, tracing a city where Roman emperors, French kings, and Champagne barons all left their mark. You will start at the monumental Porte Mars on the northern edge of the old center, stroll down the main pedestrian boulevard, loop south to the quiet Romanesque basilica, then return north past the archbishop's palace to finish at the cathedral where 33 kings were crowned. Reims is compact enough that you can fit this walk between two tastings at the Champagne houses along Avenue de Champagne, about 15 minutes southeast by foot.

Common Questions

Is this walk suitable for children?

Yes. The route is flat, fully paved, and short enough that kids can handle it easily. The Porte Mars and cathedral exterior both have enough visual interest to keep them engaged. The Palais du Tau can be hit or miss with younger children, but the giant fireplace and coronation regalia tend to hold their attention.

Can I do this walk on a Monday?

You can walk the full route, but the Palais du Tau will be closed. Everything else is open daily. If you only have Monday available, you can still enter the cathedral, basilica, and enjoy the street life on Place Drouet d'Erlon.

How do I get to Reims from Paris?

The TGV from Paris Gare de l'Est reaches Reims in 45 minutes. Trains run roughly every hour. The Reims TGV station is connected to the city center by tram (line A or B), about 10 minutes to the cathedral area. Driving takes about 1.5 hours via the A4 motorway.

Take this route with you

Open this exact tour with navigation and your personal AI guide.

Start GPS Navigation + AI Guide
AI Tourguide
Researched and curated by the AI Tourguide teamWe plan and quality-check every route, then research and verify the opening hours, prices, and practical tips for each stop along it.
▶ Open route with AI guideNavigation, stories and your questions