Sightseeing in Reims - what to see. Complete travel guide

This French town is known as the center of champagne production. The town has hundreds of underground tunnels, in which the sparkling wine is stored. Of course, you will be offered a rich list of wine in every restaurant of the town, the majority of which is champagne. However, apart from trips to restaurants tourists are offered to visit numerous exciting excursions.

Mars Gates are known as the oldest architectural structure of the town. The height of the gate’s arch estimates 13 meters, and the width - 23 meters. As you might guess from the name, this monument was installed in honor of the Roman god Mars. The monument appeared during the reign of the Roman Empire. Not far away from the gate you can see the ruins of the temple, which is also dedicated to the god of war.

Reims Cathedral is one of the amazing religious buildings. Here took place the coronation ceremony of all French kings. The building was damaged badly by fire in 1914, so its restoration lasted over 5 years. Today the cathedral is widely known as UNESCO World Heritage Site. Copyright www.orangesmile.com

Among other old buildings we should definitely mention Basilica of St. Remi, which construction started in the 11th century. It lasted for over 400 years and today is a mix of various architectural styles. Another historical monument, which is currently under protection of UNESCO, is the Palace of Tau, which building took place in 15 - 16 centuries. The suburbs of the town are also very picturesque as here you can see vineyards and take a walk in piedmont regions.

Admirers of painting should definitely visit the Reims Museum of Fine Arts, which was founded in 1794 and was originally located in the Town Hall building. Over the years, the museum's collection has grown hundreds of times. So it was transferred to the building of the old monastery in 1913 which is its current location. The main part of the exposition comprises collections of Renaissance paintings. The whole first floor accommodates works of art of the 20th century. There is also a collection of sculptures, engravings, and antique furniture. The church of Saint-Jacques is a remarkable object. It is the only church in the city that was not destroyed during the years of the revolution. The church was built in the 12th century and has been rebuilt repeatedly over hundreds of years. During the Great French Revolution, stables and barracks were stationed there. In the post-revolutionary period, reconstruction efforts started and are continuing at the present time. They succeeded in restoring a beautiful antique organ, antique stained-glass windows and various elements of decoration.

An incredibly beautiful architectural monument is the Basilica of St. Remigia. The very first church in its place was built in the 10th century. Nowadays, one can enjoy a luxurious building with columns and arches, erected in the 19th century. The basilica has been recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It keeps many unique religious values. On the territory of the basilica is the tomb of Saint Remigia.

The Vergè Palace Museum is located in a fabulous historical building. Its erection began in the 12th century. In the 16th century they added a new wing, so nowadays the complex of buildings looks rather unusual. In a certain period, a famous French photographer Krafft owned the mansion. Nowadays, the museum holds a collection of old photographs, as well as photographic equipment and personal belongings of the former owner. The halls of the museum have beautiful antique furniture of great value. Visitors can enjoy interesting collections of ancient engravings and paintings. Lovers of vintage cars should definitely visit the Automobile Museum. It is one of the largest in France. In total, the museum has about 200 cars, the earliest of which were produced in the early 20th century. All exhibits are maintained in excellent technical condition.