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.
0 guides · Champagne & ReimsExplore →
🇫🇷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.
Your family guide
Champagne Region with kids: cathedrals, vineyards and medieval towns
“Cathedrals, vineyards and pink biscuits. The Champagne Region delivers history and countryside in equal measure.”
— San & Jo
The Champagne Region in northern France is one of those places that surprises families. Yes, it is famous for its sparkling wine, but beneath that glamorous reputation you will find Gothic cathedrals, medieval half-timbered towns, sweeping vineyard landscapes, and a food culture that genuinely delights kids and grown-ups alike. Two cities anchor the region: Reims, with its jaw-dropping UNESCO-listed cathedral, and Épernay, home to the legendary Avenue de Champagne.
What makes this region so rewarding for families is the variety. One morning you can wander the cobbled streets of Hautvillers, the village where champagne was born. The next afternoon you can be kayaking at Lac du Der or hiking through the Montagne de Reims natural park. The pace is relaxed, the scenery is beautiful, and the food is outstanding. Pink biscuits, pressed ham terrines, creamy local cheeses: there is plenty to keep curious young eaters happy.
Most families spend two to four days here, using Reims or Épernay as a base. That gives you enough time to take in the big sights without rushing, and still squeeze in a scenic drive along the Champagne Tourist Route through the vineyard villages. It is a region that rewards slow travel, and kids tend to love the wide open countryside after a busy city break.
Reims and ÉpernayTwo main bases
May to SeptemberBest time to visit
Mid-range to premiumBudget guide
Best things to do
Best things to do in Champagne Region
Reims Cathedral
Notre-Dame de Reims is one of the great Gothic cathedrals of Europe, and it genuinely stops you in your tracks. The stained-glass windows are extraordinary, and the history is hard to beat: 33 French kings were crowned here. Kids who are into history or architecture will be captivated, and even little ones tend to be awed by the sheer scale of it.
Visit early morning for the best light through the windows
1-2 hours
Avenue de Champagne in Épernay
This UNESCO-listed boulevard is lined with grand champagne house mansions and manicured gardens, and it is genuinely beautiful to walk along even if you are not tasting wine. The street has a theatrical elegance that kids notice too. Moët and Chandon and Perrier-Jouët are both here, and the underground cellar tours offer a genuinely fascinating look at how champagne is made.
The gardens of Perrier-Jouët are gorgeous in late spring
Half a day
Verzenay Lighthouse and vineyard views
A quirky landmark in the middle of the Montagne de Reims vineyards, the Verzenay Lighthouse gives you panoramic views over the grand cru slopes. There is a champagne museum inside, and the surrounding countryside is perfect for a short walk or a picnic. It is a lovely half-day excursion that feels genuinely off the tourist trail.
Pack a picnic and enjoy the vineyard views from the base
2-3 hours
Montagne de Reims Natural Park
This green corridor between Reims and Épernay is covered in grand cru vineyards and dotted with walking trails. It is a brilliant place to stretch your legs and let the kids run free after a day of sightseeing. The landscape is gently rolling and very manageable for families with younger children.
The trail through the Faux de Verzy forest is great for kids
Half a day
Lac du Der for water and wildlife
One of France's largest reservoirs, Lac du Der was originally built to protect Paris from Seine flooding. Today it is a brilliant family destination with water sports, cycling paths, and birdwatching. It sits a little further south but makes a wonderful day trip if your family needs a nature fix.
Autumn brings huge flocks of cranes migrating through the area
Full day
Medieval Troyes
Troyes is one of the best-preserved medieval towns in France, with a beautiful old centre full of half-timbered houses and a Gothic cathedral with stunning 13th-century stained glass. The Musée d'Art Moderne holds works by Picasso and Matisse. It is a great contrast to the wine-focused towns further north.
The old town is very walkable and largely flat: great for pushchairs
Half a day to full day
Hautvillers, the birthplace of champagne
This small hilltop village is where monks are said to have perfected the art of champagne production. It is charming, quiet, and very easy to explore on foot. The streets are decorated with ornate wrought-iron signs, and the views over the vineyards below are beautiful. A perfect stop on a scenic drive through the region.
Combine with a drive along the Champagne Tourist Route for a scenic half-day loop
1-2 hours
Our verdict
How the Champagne Region scores for families
Kids
The mix of outdoor space, quirky landmarks, and fascinating history keeps children genuinely engaged. It is not a theme-park destination, but curious kids thrive here.
Culture
Gothic cathedrals, medieval towns, UNESCO vineyards, and Impressionist connections make this one of France's richest cultural regions.
Food
The food culture is outstanding. From pink biscuits to hearty stews and celebrated cheeses, there is plenty for adventurous family eaters to discover.
Nature
The Montagne de Reims and Lac du Der offer lovely natural escapes, though the region is more about vineyards and villages than dramatic wilderness.
Budget
Accommodation and dining lean mid-range to premium, especially around Épernay. Reims offers more affordable options and is a practical family base.
Planning your visit
How long should you stay in the Champagne Region?
1
1 day
Quick visit
Focus on Reims Cathedral and a stroll along the Avenue de Champagne in Épernay. You will get a flavour of the region without feeling rushed.
sweet spot
3
3 days
Sweet spot
Enough time to explore both Reims and Épernay, take a scenic drive through the vineyard villages, visit Hautvillers, and squeeze in a half-day at Lac du Der or the Verzenay Lighthouse.
5
5 days
Deep dive
Add Troyes, a proper hike in the Montagne de Reims, and a slower pace through the Champagne Tourist Route villages. Perfect if your family loves unhurried, immersive travel.
Fun facts
Things to know about Champagne Region
It is the law
Only sparkling wine made in this exact region using a specific traditional method is legally allowed to be called Champagne. Anywhere else in the world, it is just sparkling wine. That is a very strict and very French rule.
The world's oldest pink biscuit
Biscuit Rose de Reims has been made since 1691, making it one of France's oldest biscuit recipes. They are bright pink, crunchy, and traditionally dipped in champagne by adults or hot chocolate by kids. A genuinely delicious edible souvenir.
33 kings were crowned here
Reims Cathedral was the coronation site for 33 French kings over more than 1,000 years. From Clovis in 496 to Charles X in 1825, this is where the kings of France came to be crowned. That is a lot of royal history packed into one building.
Taste the Champagne Region
What to eat with your family in the Champagne Region
Biscuit Rose de Reims
Kids love itFossier Boutique, Reims
These iconic pink biscuits have been made in Reims since 1691. They are light, crunchy, and subtly sweet. Kids love them as a snack, and they make a brilliant edible souvenir to take home. You will find them in almost every boulangerie and food shop in Reims.
Jambon de Reims
Safe choiceLe Foch, Reims
A pressed ham terrine flavoured with nutmeg, shallots, and parsley, traditionally served cold with crusty bread. It is mild, delicate, and a great introduction to French charcuterie for kids who are curious about local food.
Potée Champenoise
Local favouriteLa Table Kobus, Épernay
A hearty winter stew made with cabbage, potatoes, carrots, turnips, smoked ham, sausages, and chicken. It is the kind of warming, generous dish that keeps everyone happy after a cold day exploring the vineyards. Rustic, filling, and genuinely delicious.
Chaource cheese
Must tryMarché de Troyes, Troyes
This AOC-protected soft cheese from the region is creamy and mild when young, developing a richer flavour as it matures. It is approachable enough for younger eaters and pairs beautifully with crusty bread. Look for it at local markets and fromageries.
Choucroute de Brienne
Local favouriteFête de la Choucroute, Brienne-la-Château
Sauerkraut simmered in Champagne and stock, served with sausages, ham, bacon, and potatoes. It is celebrated every September at the Fête de la Choucroute in Brienne-la-Château. A proper regional classic that older kids with adventurous palates tend to love.
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