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 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.
Your family guide
Reims Cathedral with kids: coronations, Gothic stonework and stained glass
“Thirty-three kings crowned, 2,303 statues and Chagall windows. Reims Cathedral makes history tangible.”
— San & Jo
Reims Cathedral is one of those places that stops you in your tracks the moment you see it. Rising 83 metres above the city, covered in 2,303 statues, and free to enter, this Gothic masterpiece is one of the most impressive things you can show your family in all of France. And the best part? It costs nothing to walk through the doors.
This is where 33 kings of France were crowned, where Joan of Arc stood beside Charles VII in 1429, and where some of the most dramatic moments in French history unfolded. Your kids may not know all of that before they arrive, but they will absolutely feel the scale and the grandeur once they step inside. The soaring vaulted ceilings, the glowing Marc Chagall stained-glass windows, and the famous Smiling Angel statue all make for a visit that is genuinely memorable.
Reims Cathedral sits in the heart of a compact, walkable city centre, just ten minutes on foot from the central train station. The wide square in front of the cathedral is lined with cafés and has a lovely open feel, perfect for letting younger children run around while you take in the facade. Whether you are here for a few hours or a full day, this is a destination that rewards curious families of all ages.
Free entryIndividual visitors
1 to 2 hoursTypical visit
UNESCOWorld Heritage Site
Best things to do
Why Reims Cathedral is worth every minute of your family's time
Explore the Gothic interior
Walk through the main nave and let the scale sink in. The cathedral is larger than Notre-Dame de Paris, measuring 150 metres long, and the light pouring through the stained-glass windows creates an atmosphere that is hard to describe. Point out the great rose window on the western facade and the vivid Marc Chagall designs in the axial chapel, added in 1974.
Visit on a sunny morning for the best light through the Chagall windows
45 to 60 min
Find the Smiling Angel
Turn finding the famous Smiling Angel (L'Ange au Sourire) into a little family game. This gentle, serene statue is one of the most beloved details on the entire facade and has become the unofficial symbol of Reims. Kids love spotting it among the thousands of other carvings.
Look for her on the left portal of the main facade: she is hard to miss once you know where to look
10 to 15 min
Climb the North Tower
For families with older children who do not mind a workout, the North Tower climb is absolutely worth it. You will tackle 249 steps to reach panoramic views over the rooftops of Reims. The climb is available via guided tour, so check the schedule before you visit.
Book your tower tour slot early in the day, especially in summer when places fill up quickly
1 to 1.5 hours
Spot the 15th-century astronomical clock
Tucked inside the cathedral is a fascinating astronomical clock dating from the 15th century. It is a wonderful detail to point out to curious kids who want to know more than just the big picture. Pair it with the Flamboyant Gothic organ case nearby for a real sense of the craftsmanship involved.
Ask at the entrance about the exact location, as it can be easy to walk past
10 to 15 min
Relax in the cathedral square
The wide, tree-lined square in front of the cathedral is one of the nicest spots in Reims for families. Grab a coffee at one of the surrounding cafés, let younger children stretch their legs, and take in the extraordinary facade at your own pace. It is a genuinely lovely place to breathe and reset mid-visit.
The square is at its best in the late afternoon when the golden light hits the stone facade
20 to 30 min
Visit during the Christmas sound-and-light show
If you are visiting in December, do not miss the Reves de Couleurs light show projected onto the cathedral facade each evening. It runs during the Reims Christmas market, making it a brilliant combination for families. The colours and scale of the projection are genuinely spectacular.
Arrive just before dark for the best effect and bring warm layers for the kids
30 to 45 min
Our verdict
How Reims Cathedral scores for families
Kids
The sheer scale, the Smiling Angel hunt, and the tower climb give children plenty to engage with. Free entry makes it easy to pop in without pressure.
Culture
One of the greatest Gothic buildings in the world, with 33 royal coronations, Joan of Arc connections, and Marc Chagall windows. The cultural depth here is extraordinary.
Food
The surrounding square and streets are full of cafés, bistros, and wine bars. Reims specialities like Jambon de Reims and Biscuits Roses are easy to find nearby.
Nature
The cathedral square has trees and open space, but this is a city-centre cultural site. Nature is not the main draw here.
Budget
Entry is completely free for individual visitors, which is rare for a site of this calibre. The tower tour has a small fee, but the core visit costs nothing.
Planning your visit
How long should your family spend at Reims Cathedral?
1
1 hours
Quick visit
Walk the interior, spot the Smiling Angel, and take in the facade from the square. A solid introduction without rushing.
sweet spot
2
2 hours
Sweet spot
Explore the interior properly, find all the key details, and enjoy a coffee in the square. This is how most families experience it best.
1
1 day
Full day
Add the North Tower guided tour, visit the Palace of Tau next door, and combine with lunch at a nearby bistro for a complete Reims experience.
Fun facts
Things to know about Reims Cathedral
33 kings were crowned here
Reims Cathedral was the coronation church for the kings of France for nearly 900 years. From Henry I in 1027 all the way to Charles X in 1825, 33 kings were crowned inside these walls. That is more royal history than almost any other building on earth.
More statues than any other religious building in the world
The cathedral is decorated with 2,303 statues, making it the religious building with the most statues anywhere on the planet. That is a lot of stone faces to look at. Challenge your kids to count how many they can spot on just the main facade.
Marc Chagall designed the windows in 1974
The vivid blue stained-glass windows in the axial chapel were designed by the artist Marc Chagall and installed in 1974. They sit inside a medieval Gothic cathedral, which makes for a fascinating contrast. Chagall was in his late eighties when he completed the commission.
Taste Reims
What to eat near Reims Cathedral with your family
Biscuits Roses
Kids love itFossier Boutique (near the cathedral)
These pale pink, twice-baked biscuits are a Reims institution, invented in the 18th century as the perfect champagne accompaniment. You will find them in almost every bakery and food shop near the cathedral. Kids love the colour and the crunch, and they travel well as a snack for the journey home.
Jambon de Reims
Local favouriteLe Jardin Les Crayeres
Reims Ham is the city's most famous charcuterie specialty. It is a boned ham cooked and moulded in a terrine, seasoned with nutmeg, parsley, and shallots, and coated in yellow breadcrumbs. You will find it on platters and sandwiches throughout the city centre. Mild in flavour and easy for children to enjoy.
Terrace lunch at Il Duomo
Must tryIl Duomo Reims
For a meal with a view, Il Duomo is a rooftop Italian restaurant and bar on the 7th floor in Reims. The terrace looks directly out over the cathedral, and the menu includes Italian wine and champagne selections for the adults. A memorable spot for a family lunch on a sunny day.
Potee Champenoise
Safe choiceBrasserie du Boulingrin
This hearty regional stew made with pork and potatoes is proper comfort food from the Champagne region. It is the kind of warming, unfussy dish that works well for families after a long morning of sightseeing, especially in cooler months.
Reims Mustard
Daily treatLocal markets and food shops in central Reims
A centuries-old local specialty, this smooth pale yellow mustard has a distinctive flavour quite different from Dijon. Only one producer, Maison Charbonneaux-Brabant, still makes the original recipe. Pick up a jar as a food souvenir that will remind your family of the trip every time you open the fridge.
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