Self-Guided Walking Tour in Reims

Why Walk Reims? A Self-Guided Tour

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.

The Route: 5 Stops

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Route Map

Your Reims Walking Tour, Stop by Stop

1. 1

   Porte Mars

   

   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.

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   Hours

   Open 24/7

   Price

   Free

   5 min walk

2. 2

   Place Drouet d'Erlon

   

   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.

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   Hours

   Open 24/7

   Price

   Free

   18 min walk

3. 3

   Basilique Saint-Remi

   

   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.

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   Hours

   Daily: 8:30 AM – 5:00 PM

   Price

   Free

   15 min walk

4. 4

   Palais du Tau

   

   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.

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   Hours

   Tue-Sun 10am-12:30pm, 2pm-5:30pm (closed Mondays)

   Price

   €8

   2 min walk

5. 5

   Reims Cathedral

   

   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.

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   Hours

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

   Price

   Free

Self-Guided Tour vs. Group Tour in Reims

Absolutely. Reims packs Roman ruins, medieval coronation history, and Gothic architecture into a walkable center that most tourists pass over in favor of Paris, just 45 minutes away by TGV. You will see fewer crowds than Chartres or Strasbourg, and the proximity of Champagne houses means you can combine this walk with a tasting visit the same day. The Palais du Tau alone justifies the trip if you care about French royal history. Reims is also remarkably flat, making this an easy walk even in warm weather.

How Long Does This Reims Tour Take?

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.

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.

Common Questions