Visit Reims in 2 days
11 must-see POIs, optimized routes and anecdotes.
48 hours in Reims: urban wandering between squares and markets
Start your short stay at the foot of the Saint-Jacques Church and end it in the calm of the Convent of the Jacobins : this two-day itinerary was designed to let you taste the atmosphere of Reims on foot, between squares, old gates and vibrant halls. No need for impossible goals: the idea is to savor each place, to give time for the city to reveal itself.
The route combines morning strolls on historic squares, an foray into covered market halls and stops to observe urban architecture. You will traverse the Place Drouet-d’Erlon, pass through the Porte de Mars and explore quieter corners like the Square Colbert, while having the freedom to adjust the pace to your wishes.
Each stop has been chosen to offer a mix of local life and historical landmarks: places conducive to a coffee break to buildings that tell a story unique to the city. The stops at the Hôtel de Brimont and the Halles du Boulingrin show the living face of the center, while the Place du Forum and the Palace of Justice bring a more institutional and serene atmosphere.
This guide offers a logical order for walking, with practical advice on accommodation, transport, what to bring and reservations to plan. The aim: to feel comfortable from the first hour and end your escape at the Convent of the Jacobins, serene and inspired.
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You will visit the most beautiful points of interest in Reims
Day-by-day summary
Day 1 — Morning: Start at the Saint-Jacques Church, stroll toward the Place Drouet-d’Erlon to feel the center's bustling and caffeinated pulse, then reach the Square Colbert for a moment of calm in the heart of the city. Take the route toward the Porte de Mars, a visible relic in the urban fabric, and finish the morning in front of the Reims City Hall to appreciate municipal architecture.
Day 1 — Afternoon: After lunch near the square, head to the Hôtel de Brimont for a heritage discovery and finish at the Halles du Boulingrin, the ideal place to taste local products and feel the energy of the market hall.
Day 2 — Morning: Head toward the Place du Forum, then cross the Place Royale before admiring the Palace of Justice. Conclude your escape at the Convent of the Jacobins, a calm and thoughtful ending that marks the end of the circuit.
This pace favors walking and discovery at a relaxed tempo, alternating lively places and quieter spaces.
Day 1 - Reims
6 POIs to discoverDay 1 - Morning à Reims
5 Points of interest - Duration : 4h00 - Distance : 1.4 km - Walking : 0h18
© Wikimedia Commons
Hôtel de Brimont
- The Hôtel de Brimont won the Prix de Rome for its young architect, Paul Blondel.
- Viscount André Ruinart de Brimont, a wealthy heir and André's uncle, chose this building to house the new headquarters of Champagne Ruinart.
- André Ruinart de Brimont became vice-president of the Society and collected books and objets d'art in this private mansion.
- The Hôtel de Brimont escaped the bombardments of the Great War and was only partially affected.
- In 1959, the Ministry of National Education became the owner of the private mansion and converted it into the girls' boarding school at Lycée Roosevelt.
- Since 2009, the Jacquart champagne house has been the owner and has set up its new headquarters here.
© Wikimedia Commons
Halles du Boulingrin
- The central market halls is also known as the Boulingrin halls. The interior organization has a high walkway served by a central stilted staircase, and the west part features permanent stalls for some vendors.
- The halls were born following an architecture competition opened in 1922, with the winning design by architect Émile Maigrot executed between 1927 and 1929.
- The building opened on October 30, 1929.
- The restoration of the central market halls was awarded the 2015 European Union Cultural Heritage Award by the European Commission and Europa Nostra.
© Wikimedia Commons
Reims town hall
- Reims Town Hall has housed the municipal institutions since 1499.
- Remains of a Roman house were discovered during various works.
- The first stone of the new building was laid in 1627 by Nicolas Lespagnol, the building was constructed by Jean Bonhomme.
- The building burnt down in 1917 during the First World War and was rebuilt, the first works began in 1924.
- In the Salon d'Honneur is a unique organ, the Orgue de la République, the only one built for a town hall in France.
© Wikimedia Commons
Square Colbert
- Square Colbert measures 1.1 ha and is organised around a monumental statue of Jean-Baptiste Colbert.⏳ Created in 1828, the square was laid out and named in 1860, during the construction of the railway station.
- In 1919, a clock factory destroyed by the war temporarily set up shop in the Basses Promenades.
- In 1945, a proposal to replace the statue of Colbert with the monument to the Martyrs of the Resistance was rejected.
- With more than 25,000 plants, Colbert Square is the city's most flower-filled garden.
© Wikimedia Commons
Drouet-d'Erlon Square
- Place Drouet-d'Erlon, often referred to as Place d'Erlon, has the Subé Fountain at its centre, overlooked by a statue called La Gloire.
- This square is a key venue for local life, regularly hosting events and demonstrations and boasts a new multiplex cinema as of 2019.
- Its surface area is over 14,000 m², with a length of 401 m and a width of 35 m, making it the longest square in France.
- It owes its name to a statue erected in its centre in honour of Jean-Baptiste Drouet d'Erlon in 1849.
- It was once a marshy area ideal for farming, inhabited since the La Tène period, before being dotted with stone-built houses and had a function as a place for public executions.
- It was almost entirely destroyed during the First World War, and now boasts new art deco style buildings.
Day 1 - Afternoon à Reims
1 Points of interest - Duration : 0h45 - Distance : 0 km - Walking : 0h00
© Wikimedia Commons
Mars Gate
- The Mars Gate is a Roman monument dating back to the 3rd century, named after a temple dedicated to Mars, the Roman god of war.
- It is the widest arch in the Roman World and remains the only surviving arch of the four monumental arches originally erected.
- Initially, the monument bore witness to the grandeur of the city, but in the 4th century it was included in the city wall and became one of the city's four entrances.
- The Mars Gate has undergone several reconstructions and renovations, the most recent of which began in July 2015. The monument is adorned with columns, high-relief medallions and a depiction of a Gallic harvester that forms part of a calendar of field work.
- A tree and plaque are located nearby, in memory of the soldiers who served in the East and Alexander of Serbia in the First World War.
Day 2 - Reims
5 POIs to discoverDay 2 - Morning à Reims
5 Points of interest - Duration : 3h30 - Distance : 1.4 km - Walking : 0h18
© Wikimedia Commons
Place du Forum
- The 'Place du Forum' occupies the area of the ancient Roman forum of the city.
- In the center of this square, a cryptoportique is still open; it was a marketplace for a long time.
- A covered market hall was built in 1872, which was not rebuilt after WWI, and it has been carrying its name since 1932.
- Currently, the place combines shops with two parking spaces and a fountain that serve as venues for shows, book fairs, and exhibitions inside the Cryptoportique.
© Wikimedia Commons
Saint-Jacques Church
- Saint-Jacques church dates back to the 12th century, making it the second oldest preserved church in Reims after Saint-Remi basilica.
- Its erection began in 1190 on former market garden land donated by William to Les Blanches Mains.
- It was enlarged in 1548, with paintings that have largely disappeared today.
- Following extensive damage during the First World War, restoration took place in 1920-1921, and repairs were not completed until 1932.
- The church has a sober façade and three portals, a 12th-century nave and a 16th-century chevet.
- Its bell tower, destroyed during the war, was rebuilt between 1987 and 1994.
- It housed a large symphonic organ by Belgian organ builder Pierre Schyven in the 19th century, but it was destroyed during the First World War.
- The current neoclassical organ was installed in 1962.
Palace of Justice
- The courthouse is the seat of the court.
- It houses an industrial tribunal, a judicial court and a court of appeal.
- The current building replaced the former hôtel-Dieu, which served as a place of welcome for people passing through, the indigent and the sick.
- The Greek Revival-style facade was designed by architect Narcisse Brunette.
- The pediment of the entrance facade is adorned with a bas-relief depicting Justice holding sword and scales.
© Wikimedia Commons
Place Royale
- Place Royale measures 33 by 38 toises and was once adorned with a monument dedicated to Louis XV, created by the sculptor Pigalle.
- The royal statue was destroyed during the Revolution and replaced in 1818 by a bronze by Pierre Cartellier depicting the king as a Roman emperor.
- The Place remained unfinished until 1910, when Société Générale had the building on the south-west side constructed.
- In 1842, the Royal Square was used to renumber the houses in the town's streets.
- Even numbers were assigned to the right-hand side from the Place Royale, and odd numbers to the left-hand side from the Place.
© Wikimedia Commons
Jacobins Convent
- The Jacobins Convent in Reims was a former Dominican convent, dating back to the Middle Ages.
- The friars did not arrive until 1220 and only obtained buildings in 1245 after a gift from the monks of St-Denis Abbey.
- The church of the Frères-Précheurs had three naves, eighteen flying buttresses, a square tower adjoining the apse and its stone spire had four stone belfries.
- It was consecrated in 1280.
- In 1441, Brother Nicolas Pinguis was appointed vicar of the inquisition, but was silenced by the canons and the archbishop.
- A room in the convent was used as a meeting place - it was here that the deputies to the Estates-General were elected in 1789.
- The convent library was seized in 1791 and transferred to the municipal library.
- The ruins of the Jacobins Convent were rediscovered in 1884 and have been listed as a historic monument since 1981.
Practical details for visiting Reims
Where to stay
To fully enjoy this itinerary, choose central accommodation: the area around Place Drouet-d’Erlon offers immediate access to cafés and restaurants, while the neighborhoods near the Place du Forum or the Halles du Boulingrin allow you to start visits on foot. Options range from charming small hotels to guest houses and independent accommodations. If you are seeking quiet and comfort, prefer an address overlooking a courtyard or a low-traffic street. If you like activity, opt for a place on the edge of the square.
In terms of style, expect to find boutique hotels with sleek design, locally flavored guesthouses and more neutral but practical hotels. Most places on the route are walkable, so the main criterion will be comfort and proximity. Consider checking for a space to drop off your luggage if you arrive early in the day.
Getting around
The itinerary is mainly designed on foot: most steps are close to one another, which makes walking the ideal way to appreciate urban details and the transitions between squares and halls. For longer trips or if you are tired, check local bus lines that serve the center. The municipal network allows you to quickly reach certain points if needed.
Biking is a good alternative if you prefer to speed up: many bike lanes and parking spots make short distances in the city center easy. Consider favoring bike-sharing or rental services for maximum flexibility. For late or very punctual trips, taxi or ride-sharing services are available, but the compact layout of the route makes these options rarely essential.
In short, combine walking, some bus rides and, if you like, cycling for smooth and pleasant mobility.
What to bring
Depending on the season, adjust your luggage to stay comfortable during the walks: a pair of comfortable shoes is essential for wandering the squares and halls' aisles. Bring light layers and a waterproof jacket to handle changes in weather. A light backpack will allow you to carry a bottle of water, a guide and market purchases.
If you visit in cooler season, a windbreaker and a warm sweater will be useful for mornings; in hot season, favor breathable clothing and sun protection. Bring a portable charger for your phone if you plan to use maps and photograph a lot. A small umbrella takes little space and can prove handy.
Don't forget a few comfort essentials: tissues, a reusable water bottle and a list of restaurants or markets you want to try. These simple items make the day easier and let you fully enjoy the places.
Advance reservations
For a serene stay, a few bookings in advance are recommended. If you’re aiming for a table at a popular restaurant around the Place Drouet-d’Erlon or near the Halles du Boulingrin, booking the day before or a few days ahead guarantees a table for lunch or dinner. Similarly, if you want to visit occasional cultural venues or attend a show, think about reserving your tickets in advance to avoid queues.
If you’re staying over a weekend or during a local busy period, lock in your accommodation as soon as possible to have the choice of the best addresses. For private visits or guided experiences, a reserved slot offers more flexibility and often better hospitality. Finally, if you plan to lunch at the Halles du Boulingrin during peak hours, consider arriving early or checking availability with the stalls or merchants.
These simple precautions help you keep your schedule smooth while enjoying the highlights without stress.
Extras not to miss
Beyond the main itinerary, plan a few detours to complete your stay. Strolling through side streets adjacent to the squares often reveals shop windows, small boutiques and charming cafes that reveal local atmospheres. For a unique activity, look into Coddy’s urban escape games: these outdoor, playful routes offer an immersive way to rediscover the city by solving puzzles.
Other ideas: wander through less-traveled streets to observe architecture, pause in front of remarkable facades or treat yourself to a quiet tea room. Check temporary exhibitions or local events — they change often and add color to the visit. Finally, don't overlook occasional markets that may be held near the cited squares: they offer a living glimpse of local products and know-how.
These extras are perfect to enhance your two days without disrupting the main program.
Local delights
The gastronomic stops are part of the experience: at the Halles du Boulingrin, you will find stalls and producers highlighting fresh, local products, perfect for a quick lunch or to assemble a picnic. Around the Place Drouet-d’Erlon, cafes and bistros serve convivial dishes where you can immerse yourself in local life.
Be sure to taste specialties served in the markets and breweries: charcuterie, cheeses, pastries and other artisanal preparations hold a prominent place. Pair your tastings with a local drink offered by the merchants for a complete experience. The pastries and candy shops along the routes are also worth a detour if you enjoy ending a stroll with a sweet note.
For an authentic experience, let the hall merchants guide you: their advice on the day’s products is often the most reliable for composing a simple and tasty meal.
When to visit Reims and how much it costs
Best seasons
Each season offers a different facet of the city. Spring brings gentle light and more pleasant terraces to settle on, while summer lengthens the days and makes late-afternoon strolls particularly enjoyable. Autumn colors the green spaces and gives a more contemplative atmosphere to the squares, and winter invites tasty breaks in the halls and cafes.
Depending on your priorities, choose the period that best matches your rhythm: for terrace-watching and a lively vibe, favor warmer months; for a calmer visit and often milder prices, favor the intermediate seasons. Each season may host small local events or occasional animations that add to the charm of the walk.
Whatever the time of year, adapt your clothing to the climate and check opening hours of the places you want to visit to avoid disappointments.
Crowds
Attendance varies depending on periods and times of day. The main squares and the area around the Place Drouet-d’Erlon are naturally busier in the evening and at meal times; mornings, on the other hand, often offer more tranquility for strolling. The Halles du Boulingrin experience a peak during market hours; going early is a good strategy to avoid the crowd.
If you’re seeking quiet, target morning hours on weekdays: it’s easier to enjoy public spaces and observe architectural details without too much interruption. Weekends can be more vibrant, with more local visitors and events. Finally, institutional sites like the Palace of Justice or the Convent of the Jacobins are generally less crowded than the shopping areas.
Adapt your schedule to the desired atmosphere: lively or tranquil.
Estimated budget
Economical budget: Opt for an economical option by choosing a simple room or a hostel near the center and focusing meals at market stalls or bakery counters. Favor walking to get around and enjoy free public spaces. This approach lets you discover the city without superfluous expenses, focusing on strolls and modest tastings from the halls.
Medium budget: Choose a mid-range hotel or well-located guesthouse, combine meals at local bistros and a few quality restaurants, and plan for an occasional outing (exhibition, show). This level offers a good balance between comfort, gastronomy and paid experiences, while staying reasonable in spending.
Comfort budget: Choose a charming hotel or a higher-end establishment in the center, enjoy meals at fine addresses, and book guided tours or private experiences. This choice focuses on comfort, restaurant quality and hassle-free logistics, with options for exclusive activities or reserved slots.
Frequently asked questions about your stay in Reims
Ending on a high note
After these two days, you will have covered a wide range of atmospheres, from busy squares to lively halls, from ancient gates to calm institutions. The itinerary is deliberately adaptable: take the time to sit, listen to the city and revisit a place that you enjoyed. Keep in memory the simple moments — a coffee on a square, a flavor discovered at the halls, a façade that caught your eye — which often make the best memories.
If you leave with the desire to return, that's already a good measure of the pleasure you took during these 48 hours. And if you enjoy playful experiences, consider incorporating an urban escape game like Coddy's on a future visit to rediscover the city in a different way. Have a great stay and lovely strolls.
Want more adventure?
Discover our urban escape games to transform your visit into an interactive adventure!
