Your Guide to A Day Trip to Reims: Is It Worth It?
A colleague of mine loves to take day trips from Paris (probably because she has a car, so it’s a little easier for her as there’s no additional train ticket cost) – and she mentioned Reims being a day trip well worthwhile.
View of details on Notre-Dame Cathedral in Reims, France; August 2026
After deciding to take my own little weekend adventure to the Champagne region (as it’s roughly a mere hour away from Paris by train), I decided to take a day trip to Reims and Épernay – as Reims is a great starting point for the region, being only a 45 minute train ride away from Paris.
Reims is definitely on the smaller side, and you’ll feel its quieter personality in comparison to Paris – especially if you visit early on a weekend morning like I did.
That being said, it’s absolutely worth a day trip to Reims to see the stunning cathedral alone – and even more worth it if you tack on a trip to Épernay with Champagne tasting afterwards. It’s a wonderful city break from the hustle and bustle found in Paris, almost acting as a miniscule version of the city – with lots of cafés, alluring architecture, and classic French bakeries and shopping to explore.
Having taken a day trip to Reims myself, I’m going to break down the best things to do in Reims, how to get there from Paris, and if it’s truly worth taking a day trip to Reims.
Is Reims Worth Visiting?
I think that Reims is worth a day trip at least once to see the cathedral, but there’s no need to return – as someone who already lives in France and is used to the “mini French city” layout but I wouldn’t go out of my way to see it.
Reims is almost like a miniature Paris: as it’s much more walkable, approachable, and has a softer atmosphere than the French capital. That being said, since it’s on the smaller side, I don’t find that it has enough to require a full day trip from Paris or a repeat visit (besides that incredible cathedral, I might go again just to stare at it some more)!
If you’ve been to Paris before, but aren’t a big city person and wish you could explore something similar on a smaller scale – a day trip to Reims is probably the perfect match for you. But if you love the never-ending things to do in Paris, you’ll probably be fine with skipping a day trip to Reims and opting for something like Versailles or Giverny instead.
Quiet park perfect for co-working in Reims, France; August 2026
How Do I Get to Reims from Paris?
Reims is surprisingly super easy to get to from Paris, as long as you know the most optimal way to get there.
If you’re okay with spending a little extra money, there is a high-speed train that will get you from Reims to Paris in roughly 45 minutes.
However, note that this will require booking a train ticket in advance – as this is a train that goes further past Reims and will fill up with locals heading home for the weekend.
The overview cards below will explain the three main steps required to get to Reims:
🚆 How to Get From Paris to Reims
With your purchased high-speed train ticket in hand, you’ll be leaving Paris from Gare de l’Est Station – not Gare du Nord. If you get off at the wrong one, it’s a short one-stop metro ride to the next one or a mere 10 minute walk between the train stations. This will probably take around 25 minutes via the metro depending on where in Paris you’re staying.
Once you’re at Gare de l’Est, you’ll be boarding your TVG INOUI train to Reims. This only takes around 45 minutes, and will drop you off walking distance from the city center.
I was pleasantly surprised that the total travel time door-to-door via public transportation from my apartment near the Eiffel Tower to standing in Giverny’s little village was around 1 hour and 15 minutes.
If you prefer to drive (much like my colleague in Paris), you could also rent a car to Reims – but honestly, the train is so convenient, it’s not worth the hassle to drive – as Reims to Paris is nearly a full two hour drive versus an under-hour long train ride.
Side view of Notre-Dame Cathedral in Reims, France; August 2026
Reims vs Épernay: Which Day Trip Is Better?
Many people may get stuck trying to decide which day trip from Paris to take, but the truth is – it’s very possible to do both Reims and Épernay as a single day trip from the city.
That being said, if you really only have the funds for one – I think Reims is the better match for people who enjoy “French village” style wandering, and Épernay more rooted for the travelers who love a little luxurious experience.
The battle cards below will break down some of the differences between Reims and Épernay to help you decide which trip is right for you:
⛪🍾 Reims vs. Épernay: Which Paris Day Trip Should You Choose?
Reims is the closer option for a Paris day trip, taking only around 45 minutes from Paris by high-speed train. This makes it super easy to head over in the morning and still have a full day to explore.
I found prices in Reims to be about on par with Paris. You can still spend more if you're doing multiple champagne tastings, but overall, food and other everyday expenses felt pretty similar.
Reims has more of a little city vibe, with churches, restaurants, shopping streets, and champagne houses all mixed together. There's more to do outside of champagne tasting, making it great if you want a more varied day trip.
Épernay is a little farther from Paris, taking around 1 hour and 30 minutes. It's still completely doable as a day trip, but you'll spend more of your day traveling compared to Reims.
Épernay and Reims were about on par with prices in Paris, but you'll probably spend more in Épernay simply because so much of the experience revolves around champagne tasting.
Épernay feels much more manicured and curated toward champagne. Champagne houses, tastings, and the famous Avenue de Champagne are the focus, making it perfect if champagne is the main reason for your day trip.
View of quiet street in Reims, France; August 2026
7 Best Things to Do in Reims
1. Discover the Cathédrale Notre-Dame de Reims
I was pretty taken aback after seeing this cathedral, as no amount of hype from my colleague could have prepared me to see what I now believe to be the most beautiful cathedral in all of Europe.
View of Notre-Dame Cathedral in Reims, France; August 2026
If you love cities like Cologne or Strasbourg, which both have massive, intricate cathedrals as well – this alone could be a main selling point to taking a day trip to Reims from Paris.
Pro Tip: If you come first thing on a Saturday morning, it’ll be exceptionally quiet – allowing you to fully grasp the commanding beauty the Church in Reims has to offer.
2. Learn About the History Behind Porte de Mars
At the end of the peaceful promenade you’ll discover walking out of the train station, Porte de Mars is one of the city’s most pivotal reminders of its Roman past.
Porte de Mars in Reims, France; August 2026
Dating all the way back to the 3rd century, this huge ancient arch (honestly, think about it being on par with Brandenburg gate in Berlin) was once part of the Roman city’s entrance.
Pro Tip: Porte de Mars is on your way to the city center from the train station, so I recommend checking this one off of your list early on in your day trip before heading into two to explore the nearby streets, shops, and cafés.
3. Take a Stroll Down Les Hautes Promenade
As one of the more local things to do in Reims, I could’ve seen myself chilling here all afternoon – and was especially tempted to co-work or lay in one of the hammocks I saw.
Promenade in Reims, France; August 2026
Between the colorful flowers, sound of the ground-level water jets – I felt a familiarity and tropical-vibe all at once while walking through this park in Reims.
Pro Tip: If you’ve got work to do, this is a great spot to bring your laptop and plop on a bench – as you’re not far from the train station or city center, making it a peaceful in-between spot to get your work done.
4. Relax in Square René et Henri
As someone who loves all of the parks and gardens to write and people watch in Paris, I was excited to discover that this little square in Reims was very reminiscent of one of my favorite spots in Paris – complete with a view of the Notre-Dame and all.
Keyhole view of Notre-Dame Cathedral in Reims, France; August 2026
There was nobody here, and lots of benches – making it the perfect spot in the middle of Reims for a quick snack break or taking a breather in between all of the travel.
Pro Tip: This is right up the road from Place Royal and the Cathedral, making it an ideal pit stop if you need a place to take a pause – but don’t want to break the bank in a café.
5. Marvel in Place Royal
Speaking of Place Royal, this was a pretty underrated place in Reims that I was surprised to not see more people taking pictures of – as it’s a gorgeous square reminiscent of a miniature Louvre.
Place Royal in Reims, France; August 2026
Just beware of the cars coming at you, as the square is so small – there aren’t any official crosswalks or stop signs!
Pro Tip: If you veer towards the church at the end, there’s a lovely and picturesque “keyhole” image that is ideal for photographers or people looking for a unique angle to share on Instagram.
6. Visit Palais du Tau
Although it was unfortunately closed when I recently visited Reims, Palais du Tau looks like another winner for people who love grandiose architecture found in places like Versailles.
Outside Palais du Tau in Reims, France; August 2026
Having once served as the place where coronation banquets were held for French kings, it’s a nifty place to stand in with your own two feet and think back to how refined and traditional these old balls used to be.
Pro Tip: Although it’s currently closed for renovation, be sure to put Palais du Tau on your list if you’re planning a trip to Reims soon – as it’ll re-open in 2027!
7. Go Café Hopping on Rue de l’Étape
Probably what I considered to be the most charming part of Reims, Rue de l’Étape was lined with cafés and classic French charm – making it a quintessential spot to get a true taste of daily life in Reims.
Place Drouet d'Erlon in Reims, France; August 2026
With the beautiful Subé Fountain, bustling Place Drouet d'Erlon, boutique and department store shopping, and lots of restaurants nearby – this seemed like the place to be for a local on Reims on the weekend. I saw lots of people having a bite or out and about shopping with friends near here.
Pro Tip: This is very close to the train station, making it an optimal spot to end your day trip to Reims – especially if you want a bite to eat, drink, or place to calmly stop for the restroom before hopping on the train back to Paris.
Want to see my day trip to Reims in action?
Check out my vlog below exploring the infamous Cathedral in Reims, the quiet streets, and wandering this small French city in Champagne!
⛪🍾 Reims Day Trip FAQs 🇫🇷
Carousel in Reims, France; August 2026
Looking for more information and Paris and France as you plan your trip?
Click here to discover more, as I have several articles like this to help you plan the perfect trip to Paris and the rest of France.
Additional articles you may find helpful include:
10 Best Day Trips from Paris by Train (From a Local's Perspective)
10 Best Neighborhoods in Paris: Where to Stay (A Local’s Guide)
Your Guide to a First Trip to Paris: A Local-Approved 5-Day Itinerary
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Last updated: August 22, 2026