Lush champagne grapevines with a dirt path running through the vineyards of the Champagne region, France

🇫🇷Champagne & Reims

Explore Champagne and Reims: UNESCO cathedrals, ancient chalk tunnels, rolling vineyards, and iconic pink biscuits that children love.

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Your family guide

Champagne & Reims with kids: cathedrals, tunnels and vineyards

“Gothic cathedrals, chalk tunnels carved by Romans, and pink biscuits kids will finish before you leave the shop.”

— San & Jo

Champagne & Reims is one of those places that surprises families in the best possible way. Yes, it is famous for its fizz, but beneath the vineyards and underground cellars lies a region packed with medieval streets, Roman ruins, and cathedral grandeur that genuinely captivates curious kids and history-loving parents alike. Reims is the beating heart of it all, a city that feels vibrant and lived-in without the overwhelming crowds you find in Paris.

The landscape here is quietly dramatic. Grand cru vineyards roll across chalky hills, Gothic spires punctuate the skyline, and beneath your feet stretch over 100 kilometres of ancient chalk tunnels once carved by the Romans and now home to around 200 million bottles of champagne. Even if your family skips the tasting rooms, the sheer scale of it is jaw-dropping for kids and adults alike.

From May through October, Reims and the wider Champagne region are at their best. Long sunny days make it easy to wander vineyard terraces, linger over café squares, and explore the outdoor markets without rushing anyone along. It is the kind of destination where slowing down actually works, even with little ones in tow.

Northeast FranceChampagne region

May to OctoberBest time to visit

Reims, Épernay, AÿMain cities

Cities and places in Champagne & Reims

3 places

Champagne Region

Explore the Champagne Region with your family: UNESCO cathedrals, scenic vineyard drives, medieval towns, and iconic local food that kids and adults both love.

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Reims

Reims packs Gothic architecture, Roman history, UNESCO chalk cellars, and a brilliant food culture into a compact, walkable city centre that families will love exploring together.

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Reims Cathedral

Reims Cathedral is a free, UNESCO-listed Gothic masterpiece where 33 kings were crowned. Stunning stained glass, 2,303 statues, and a family-friendly square await.

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What makes it special

Why families love Champagne & Reims

A cathedral that stopped kings in their tracks

The Cathédrale Notre-Dame de Reims is a 13th-century Gothic masterpiece where more than 30 French kings were crowned. It has 2,303 statues, stunning stained glass by Marc Chagall, and twin towers that make little ones crane their necks in awe. It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the most impressive buildings in all of France.

Underground chalk tunnels that feel like another world

Beneath Reims lie vast Gallo-Roman chalk galleries stretching over 100 kilometres, now used to age around 200 million bottles of champagne. Walking through them is fascinating for kids, cool and atmospheric with centuries of history carved into the walls. The Taittinger cellars through Roman-era chalk vaults are particularly impressive.

Roman history hiding in plain sight

Reims has been around since Roman times and the evidence is still there if you know where to look. The Porte de Mars is a striking Roman triumphal arch right in the city, and the restored Cryptoporticus tunnels beneath the streets date back to the 1st century AD. History lessons do not get much more hands-on than this.

Rolling vineyard landscapes the whole family can explore

The Parc Naturel Régional de la Montagne de Reims sits just north of Épernay and is considered the birthplace of champagne. Grand cru vineyards stretch across chalky hills in every direction, and the gentle landscape is perfect for family walks and bike rides with wide open views that feel a world away from city life.

A city with real energy and easy charm

Reims buzzes with a fizz-fuelled energy that pairs Gothic grandeur with lively pedestrian zones and café-lined squares. It is vibrant and relaxed at the same time, with a walkable city centre that is genuinely easy to navigate with a buggy or with kids who like to wander. Think Paris charm without the Paris hustle.

Your kind of holiday

History and culture lovers

Reims is a living history lesson with three UNESCO World Heritage Sites in the city alone. The cathedral, the Palais du Tau, and the Basilica of Saint-Remi each tell a different chapter of French history, and the Roman ruins add another layer entirely. If your family loves exploring the past, you will not run out of things to discover.

Outdoor explorers

The Montagne de Reims natural park offers gentle trails through vineyards and woodland with wide-open views that reward even short walks. The region's chalky hills and quiet country roads are brilliant for cycling, and the unhurried pace of the countryside makes it easy to set your own tempo as a family.

Food-curious families

The Champagne region has a deeply satisfying food culture built around hearty local produce. From the iconic pink Biscuit Rose de Reims to slow-cooked winter stews and the Boulingrin covered market on Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday mornings, there is always something delicious to discover. Kids tend to fall hard for the biscuits.

Fun facts

Things to know about Champagne & Reims

200 million bottles are hiding underground

Beneath the streets of Reims, ancient chalk tunnels originally carved by the Romans now hold around 200 million bottles of champagne. That is more bottles than there are people in most countries. The tunnels stretch for over 100 kilometres and stay at a constant cool temperature all year round, which is exactly what champagne needs to age properly.

The world's only legal champagne comes from right here

Champagne is France's northernmost wine region and the only place in the entire world legally allowed to produce wine called champagne. No matter how similar a sparkling wine might taste, if it does not come from this region, it simply cannot use the name. Your kids can impress their friends with that fact for years.

A pink biscuit older than most countries

The Biscuit Rose de Reims, a crunchy pink biscuit found in every patisserie in the city, was first created in 1691. That makes it one of the oldest biscuit varieties in France and older than the United States, Australia, and most modern nations. It has been a hallmark of Reims ever since and is still made to the original recipe today.

Taste Champagne and Reims

What to eat with kids in Champagne and Reims

Biscuit Rose de Reims

A crunchy, lightly sweet pink biscuit that has been made in Reims since 1691. You will find them in every patisserie and market stall in the city. Kids love the colour and the crunch, and they travel well as a snack for the road.

Kids love it

Potée Champenoise

A warming winter stew made with seasonal vegetables like carrots, turnips, cabbage, and potatoes, enriched with smoked Ardennes ham, sausages, and chicken. It is the kind of hearty, comforting meal that works brilliantly for hungry kids after a long day of exploring.

Safe choice

Jambon de Reims

A boned shoulder ham slow-cooked in vegetable broth and set into a soft terrine, typically served with gherkins and crusty bread. It is one of the region's most iconic specialities and something you will find at the Boulingrin market on Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday mornings.

Local favourite

Choucroute de Brienne

Sauerkraut from the Aube, simmered in champagne and chicken stock and piled high with sausages, ham, bacon, and potatoes. It is a proper feast of a dish, celebrated every September at the annual Fête de la Choucroute. Adventurous kids tend to love the sausages even if the sauerkraut takes some convincing.

Must try

Chaource cheese

A soft, creamy cow's milk cheese with AOC status and a mild, slightly tangy flavour that is far more approachable than many French cheeses. It pairs beautifully with fresh bread from a local boulangerie and makes a great addition to a picnic in the vineyard landscape.

Daily treat