Why stand in line in Paris if you can sip champagne in Reims? Looking for an alternative to crowded Paris? Discover Reims — champagne, Gothic cathedrals, French cuisine, history without queues, and authentic French charm just 39 minutes from Paris.
While tourists are fighting their way through Paris to snap a blurry photo of the Mona Lisa, Reims remains quietly in the shadows — a city where French kings were once crowned, legendary champagne was born, and that charming French vibe still lives on without crowds or chaos.
These days, more and more travelers are looking for alternatives to the noisy capital and end up discovering Reims — a city that feels like a well-kept secret.
Why? Architecture, history, gastronomy, champagne… and no endless queues at every attraction.
In this article — no sugarcoating, a bit of humor, and all the details you need: why Reims is worth your time, how much it costs, where to stay, and what you should definitely taste.
By the way, I visited Reims long before it became trendy on Instagram. Back then, I still thought wine only came in bottles, not from underground tasting rooms.
At the time, no one called it “an alternative to Paris” — it was just a pleasant French town where you could enjoy a stroll, eat a croissant, and think, “Life’s pretty good.”
Years have passed, Reims is still wonderful — only now more people are finally catching on.
Tired of Paris but still craving France? Welcome to Reims.
If you dream of capturing that authentic French vibe — baguette, cheese, wine, slow walks down cobbled streets, and photos with Haussmann-style architecture — but the thought of spending half a day in the Louvre queue makes you shudder more than the euro exchange rate… good news:
Paris isn’t the only place in France where you can feel like you’re in a French movie.
There’s one underrated contender. Some even call it mini-Paris. And no, it’s not Lyon or Bordeaux. It’s Reims.
But Reims isn’t just a pretty northern town. It was once a royal capital. While Paris buried kings, Reims crowned them. The city housed the holy relic — the legendary vial of oil from Saint Remigius used to anoint almost every French monarch. According to legend, this sacred oil flew down from heaven, accompanied by a dove. Where else but Reims could such a royal “so be it” ceremony begin?
It’s also where champagne was born — the drink the world turns to for victories, weddings, and dates that didn’t go as planned.
Why Reims is No Worse Than Paris (and in Some Ways, Better)
Reims is just 130 km from Paris.
It’s a city that gave France not just champagne but also Joan of Arc in her national heroine role (she accompanied Charles VII to his coronation right here).
This place mattered back in Roman times and during the Middle Ages was more important than half of modern-day France.
Today, it’s home to about 180,000 people — enough to keep the provincial charm alive while offering a cultural scene worthy of a capital. It has its own bakeries, markets, and brasseries — refreshingly free of influencers filming TikToks with baguettes.
Instead, you’ll find:
✔ Notre-Dame de Reims Cathedral — monumental, Gothic, with 81-meter towers and stained glass you could stare at forever. This is where nearly every French king was crowned. Bonus: entry is free.
✔ Palais du Tau — once the archbishop’s residence, now a coronation museum.
✔ Basilique Saint-Remi — ancient, Romanesque, home to the relics of Saint Remigius, the city’s patron.
✔ Porte de Mars — a 3rd-century triumphal arch (yes, 1,500 years older than Paris’s Arc de Triomphe).
✔ Fort de la Pompelle — for history buffs into World War I.
✔ Hôtel de Ville — the kind of elegant city hall where you might suddenly feel like marrying the local mayor just to stay forever.
Champagne, Gastronomy, and No Instagram Circus
Reims is where you can soak up architecture and history without elbowing your way through crowds with selfie sticks. The city sees about 1.8 million tourists per year. For context: Paris handles that in two weeks.
What else?
This is home to iconic champagne houses like Veuve Clicquot, Taittinger, and Pommery. Champagne doesn’t flow like fountains here, but it’s served on schedule during tours. No tour? A brasserie with brie, baguette, and a glass will do nicely.
Reims is also a foodie’s delight. From classics like beef bourguignon at Aux Bons Amis to trout tartare at Bistro de la Poste.
Feeling adventurous? Order andouillette — a local specialty made from pork intestines in a spicy mustard sauce. Sounds strange, tastes surprisingly decent. In Reims, it’s considered a rite of passage. Best tried at La Brasserie du Boulingrin.
Lunch with wine or beer averages around €18–21 per person.
Where to Stay to Feel Like a Proper Tourist
If you’re not the type who picks hotels based on reviews from Maria in Kaluga (who gives 1-star because the TV lacks Russian channels), here’s your answer:
Hôtel des Arcades — great location, central, walking distance to all the good stuff.
Price: around €100 per night for two.
How to Get There Without Losing Your Luggage or Your Temper
Getting from Paris to Reims is easier than explaining your hotel address to a Parisian taxi driver.
The TGV high-speed train gets you there in 39 minutes.
Tickets start from $30 one way.
Check timetables and book tickets on SNCF’s website — France’s national rail operator.
Don’t mix it up with some budget bus where you could spend the whole day stuck in traffic trying to leave Paris.
A Word About Tips — So You Don’t Look Like a Tourist from Nowhere
Tipping in France is… nuanced. Legally, it’s included in the bill. But reality and a waiter’s mood aren’t always the same thing.
Leave a couple of euros — you’ll get a polite merci.
Leave 5–10% — you’ll get a smile with it.
Forget entirely? Well, the waiter will pretend not to notice but mentally file you under “tourists who order lattes at 5 PM in France.”
To Sum Up: Paris is for Selfies, Reims is for the Soul
If you want stunning architecture, great food, wine cellars, and history without queues and clichés, Reims is your answer.
A city where sipping champagne at 10 AM is perfectly normal. Champagne often comes bundled with a cellar tour (optional, but recommended).
Architecture? Like Paris, but with fewer queues and selfie sticks.
History? Kings, Joan of Arc, Roman arches, Gothic splendor — all the good stuff.
Food? Delicious, occasionally odd, always aesthetically French.
Locals? Friendly, relaxed, not in a hurry, and definitely not selling you Eiffel Tower postcards.
Prices? Not cheap, but your wallet won’t cry either — especially compared to Paris.
Most importantly: Reims gives you that real France feeling. No touristy madness. Just a good glass of wine and a warm baguette under your arm.
Perfect for those who want to say, “I’ve been to France” — without having to stand three hours in line for a painting the size of an iPad.
Useful travel planning tools:
✈️ Aviasales – budget-friendly flights
🏨 Booking.com – accommodation for every taste
🚘 LocalRent – car rentals (with free cancellation)
