Visit Reims in 2 days

Where to Stay in Reims

Where you sleep in Reims matters more than you might think for a short two-day visit: the city is compact and most of its character is in the central streets, so choosing a spot that keeps you close to the main clusters of sights saves time and lets you enjoy twilight walks between tastings and museums. Aim to be within easy reach of the landmarks you most want to see so mornings are for exploring, not for transit. Staying central means you’ll spend more of your short trip on cafés, covered markets and quiet squares rather than on buses.

Reims is organized around a historic heart with radiating boulevards; a dense cathedral quarter where many of the medieval streets, champagne houses and historic hôtels particuliers sit; and a lively market and shopping strip not far from the station. The compact layout makes walking the most pleasant way to move, with clusterable visits—museums, churches and market halls are often a few minutes apart, so select a base that lets you string several sights together on foot.

For practical choices, consider neighborhoods clustered around the Place du Forum for easy access to cafés and a central feel; the area around the Saint-Jacques Church if you prefer a slightly quieter, historic-flavored base with narrow streets to wander; or near the Jacobins Convent if you want to be in the cathedral quarter with quick access to grand architecture. All three put you within comfortable walking distance of the Halles du Boulingrin for market breakfasts and of notable façades like the Hôtel de Brimont for leisurely afternoon strolls.

Transport-wise, Reims’ main station makes arrivals and day trips simple; from there the city center is a short walk or a quick local bus. Taxis and bike rentals are easy to find, but for a two-day stay you’ll likely rely on your feet. If you plan champagne house visits outside the center, choose a base offering easy taxi access or a short walk to the station.

Finally, don’t overthink the exact street—prioritize a small, well-located room on a quiet street rather than a grand but isolated property. A comfortable, centrally placed guesthouse or apartment keeps your evenings flexible and your mornings relaxed. Reims is welcoming and compact: pick a neighborhood that matches your pace, and you’ll spend two days discovering the city, not chasing it.

Getting Around Reims

Reims is delightfully compact, which makes its public transport feel effortless even if it’s your first visit. The city center is served by a modern tram and an extensive bus network run by the municipality, and most stops have clear timetables and helpful maps. Major sights like the Place du Forum, the Saint-Jacques Church and the Palace of Justice sit close enough together that you’ll mix short, scenic walks with quick rides—so you never have to wrestle with a complicated system to see what you want. The frequency during the day keeps waiting times short, and signage at stops is straightforward, which makes the whole experience relaxed and friendly.

Practical tip: buy your tickets before boarding from machines at tram stops or from newsagents in the center, and look for a small validation machine on buses and trams to validate them when you get on. If you plan to hop around, a 24‑hour or multi-day day pass or a 10‑ticket carnet can save money and hassle; prices vary but expect single fares in the low euros, with discounts for carnet packs. Many machines accept contactless cards and coins, but it’s wise to carry a little change until you’re familiar with the exact machines at each stop. Inspectors do occasionally check tickets, so stamping or scanning is important.

Google Maps is your friend here: it shows tram and bus lines, live departures, walk times between stops and which stop is closest to a sight. If you prefer, download the city map offline or pin your hotels and museums so you can plan without roaming data. When a tram or bus appears crowded on the app, you can often walk one or two minutes to the next stop and catch a less busy vehicle—small detours keep travel comfortable. 🗺️

To save money and see the city at the same time, mix walking with occasional tram rides; many of Reims’s best streets and hidden courtyards are discovered on foot. If you’re a frequent rider, a short-term pass will quickly pay for itself. Also watch for reduced fares for students and seniors, and consider returning to your favorite spot on foot if it’s under 15 minutes away—Reims is pleasantly walkable.

I remember arriving one sunny morning and wanting to get from the Place du Forum to the Palace of Justice with a stop at Saint-Jacques Church. We bought a single ticket at the tram stop, validated it (a small ritual that makes you feel like a local), hopped on a tram that let us off within a five-minute walk of the church, lingered for coffee, then walked along tree-lined streets to the Palace in under 12 minutes. It felt effortless—one ticket, a little walking, and a beautiful day in Reims. 💡 Enjoy the ease; you’ll soon feel confident navigating like a resident.

What to Pack for Reims

Reims is a compact, richly layered city — cathedral spires, quiet monastic courtyards, and unexpected gardens between grand boulevards. I usually treat a 2-day trip here like a short pilgrimage: lots of standing in awe, wandering from church to cloister, and stopping for a long café break. Expect to be out for 8–10+ hours each day and to walk several miles, so pack light but thoughtfully. Below are the items I never leave home without and exactly why each one saved a day of my trip.

1. Comfortable walking shoes (I wear Merrell Moab 2 or similar): I once walked nearly 10 miles in a single day around the cathedral, the old quarter, and the Parc de la Patte d’Oie — my feet thanked me because I’d chosen Gore-Tex Merrells with sturdy soles. Cobblestones around Notre-Dame de Reims and uneven monastery steps punish flimsy shoes; a supportive shoe keeps you exploring comfortably for 8–10 hours.

2. Cross-body bag (anti-theft, medium size): I prefer a zippered, RFID-blocking cross-body — small enough for a camera, wallet, and phone but large enough for a folded map. The city is generally safe, but I felt better keeping my hands free while photographing façades and holding a coffee; it’s easy to step into crowds outside the cathedral and you want quick access to your ticket or transit pass.

3. Weather-appropriate clothing for Reims: Layers are everything. In spring/autumn I pack a thin sweater plus a light rain jacket; in summer a breathable shirt and a light scarf for chilly church interiors. On one damp morning a compact sweater saved me from shivering during a long service inside a drafty abbey — many historic churches are cool even on warm days. Also bring modest clothing if you plan to enter churches (shoulders covered, no very short shorts).

4. Power adapter (Type C/E) and phone charger: France uses Type C/E plugs at 230V. I forgot my adapter once and spent the first evening hunting one down — wasted time I’d planned for twilight photos of the cathedral. A small EU adapter in your bag avoids that stress and keeps your camera and phone ready for low-light interiors.

5. Power bank (10,000 mAh): With photo-taking, maps, and a few audio guides I often drained my phone by late afternoon. A 10,000 mAh power bank gave me one full charge and then some, and I never had to miss a sunset shot over the cathedral because my battery died.

6. Optional — Compact umbrella or silk scarf & small notebook: I bring a tiny umbrella in spring and autumn because Reims gets surprise showers; in summer I prefer a silk scarf that doubles as modesty cover in churches and a light wrap in cool interiors. A small notebook is lovely for sketching architectural details — I sketched a stained-glass motif at breakfast and still use that page as a memory trigger.