Reims Hotels

Reims a city in northern France, is perhaps best known for its cathedral, where generations of French kings were crowned. Reims, the home of champagne (the most celebrated and celebrating wine in the world), is the main city of the champagne area. It is a charming city, and one that the French hold dear to their hearts. There stands one of the most beautiful buildings of the middle Ages in Europe, one that is filled with history: almost all French kings were crowned there for about 1,000 years. Most of the old houses were destroyed during World War I, and the city was extensively rebuilt in the 1920's in an Art Deco style. Reims, Epernay and Ay are the main places of champagne production. Many of the largest champagne producing houses, referred to as les grand marques, have their head office in Reims. Most are open for champagne tasting and tours by appointment only. Champagne is aged in the many chalk caves and tunnels, some originating in the Roman period, located deep inside the ground. The city center is fairly small and easily walk able, with many streets for pedestrians only, mainly in the shopping area. Over the course of a millennium (816 to 1825), 34 sovereigns – among them 25 kings – began their reigns as Christian rulers in Reims’ famed cathedral. Meticulously reconstructed after WWI and WWII, the city – whose name is pronounced something like ‘rance’ and is often anglicised as Rheims – is neat and orderly, with wide avenues and well-tended parks. Together with Epernay, it is the most important centre of champagne production.