🇫🇷Reims

Cathédrale Notre-Dame de Reims

This is the centrepiece of any visit to Reims, and it genuinely earns that status. The cathedral is a masterpiece of Gothic architecture where French kings were crowned for centuries. The soaring vaulted ceilings, the intricate exterior sculptures, and the stained glass windows that shift colour with the light will stop even restless kids in their tracks. Go in the morning when the light is at its best. In the evening, the facade is illuminated by a spectacular light show that projects the cathedral in vivid colours.

Palais du Tau

Right next to the cathedral, the Palais du Tau is a former archbishop's residence that now works as a museum of royal history. It houses coronation artefacts, royal tapestries, and treasures that bring the story of French kings to life. Kids who have just been inside the cathedral get a real sense of what all that ceremony actually meant. The building itself is beautiful and the collections are genuinely interesting rather than dry.

Porte de Mars

One of the largest Roman triumphal arches in the world, built in the 2nd century AD to honour Emperor Augustus. The carved reliefs of Roman gods and goddesses are still clearly visible, which makes this a brilliant talking point with children who are learning about ancient history. It stands right in the city centre, so it is easy to include as part of a walking route. The scale of it is genuinely impressive.

Champagne house cellar tours

The chalk cellars beneath Reims are a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and the tours offered by houses such as Veuve Clicquot, Pommery, Taittinger, and Ruinart are genuinely fascinating for the whole family. The ancient crayères feel like underground cathedrals, cool and atmospheric, with millions of bottles ageing in the dark. Check individual house websites for age policies and family-friendly options before you book, as they vary.

Maison Fossier and the Biscuits Roses de Reims

A visit to Maison Fossier on Cours Jean-Baptiste Langlet is a must for any family. This is the home of Reims' most famous edible souvenir: the Biscuits Roses, twice-baked pink cookies invented in the 18th century. The shop is charming, the biscuits are delicious, and picking up a box to take home is a lovely ritual. Your children will love the bright pink colour and the crunch. They also appear in local desserts all over the city.

Musée des Beaux-Arts

Housed in a beautiful 18th-century abbey, this fine arts museum contains over 20 works by Camille Corot, two pieces by Monet, and one of only four known versions of Jacques-Louis David's iconic painting The Death of Marat. It is a compact and manageable museum that does not overwhelm younger visitors. The building itself, with its elegant abbey architecture, is worth the visit even before you see the art.

Museum of the Surrender

On 7 May 1945, Germany signed its unconditional surrender in Reims, ending World War II in Europe. The Museum of the Surrender preserves the room where this happened, almost exactly as it was on that day. For families with older children who are studying this period of history, it is a powerful and moving experience. The museum is small but the weight of what happened there is felt immediately.

Basilica of Saint-Remi

Quieter and less visited than the cathedral, the Basilica of Saint-Remi blends Romanesque and Gothic architecture in a way that feels genuinely serene. The softly lit stained glass windows and elegant arches create an atmosphere that is very different from the grandeur of Notre-Dame. If your family enjoyed the cathedral, this is a lovely contrast. It is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site.