Reims

The city where 33 kings of France were crowned, from Louis the Pious in 816 to Charles X in 1825, Reims is famous the world over for its cathedral, the construction of which began in 1211. After climbing 249 steps, you can discover Reims from above and admire the statuary in the upper parts of the building (tickets for this exceptional visit are sold at the Palais du Tau reception desk just next to the cathedral).

Adjacent to the cathedral, the Palais du Tau owes its name to its T-shape. It was originally the residence of the archbishops of Reims and the place where the future king stayed and spent the night before his coronation in prayer. It was also in this palace's Salle du Festin that the coronation banquet was held. Despite its transformation in the 17th century, the Palais du Tau still retains its medieval appearance. Listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, it houses the cathedral's royal treasury, the most remarkable items of which are Charlemagne's talisman (9th century), Saint Remi's chalice (12th century) and the reliquary of the Holy Ampoule, which is said to contain the heavenly oil with which the new king was anointed during his coronation ceremony.

Almost in opposition to Notre-Dame cathedral, theformer Saint-Remi abbey stands out for its depth and the sense of intimacy it exudes. This Romanesque-Gothic edifice was built from the 9th century onwards and houses the tomb of Saint Remi. Like the cathedral and the Palais du Tau, the basilica is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Now home to the Musée Saint-Remi, it offers a tour of the history of Reims, with collections ranging from prehistory to the world wars. Organised into four sections, it presents the history of the abbey, the Gallo-Roman period, military history and regional archaeology.

To make life easier for visitors,Reims Tourist Office offers a whole range of individual packages, enabling them to make the most of the city's many attractions. The Reims Epernay Pass, available from 23 euros, allows visitors to visit all the points of interest in the two towns for 24, 48 or 72 hours. Several guided tours on a variety of themes (Art Deco stroll; women who left their mark on the city, etc.) are also available from 9 euros per person.

With its recently opened tramway, numerous bus routes and TGV station in the heart of the city, Reims is a city that can be explored on foot. Although parking is not impossible thanks to the many public car parks, the car is not the ideal means of transport for visiting Reims. For more information about getting to and around Reims, visit the Tourist Office website.

For several years now, the Reims Christmas market has been attracting thousands of visitors to its village on the Place d'Erlon. Numerous chalets showcase local crafts, and the city is alive with musical performances, Santa's house and mulled wine, which is almost as popular as champagne at this time of year.

With 120 kilometres of champagne cellars winding their way through the city and the surrounding area, it would be a shame to stay in Reims without discovering the world-famous Champagne Houses. Taittinger, Veuve Clicquot, Pommery, Ruinart, Canard-Duchêne, Mumm... most of the great Champagne Houses in Reims welcome visitors to share the secrets of making the king of wines in former Gallo-Roman chalk pits that have been converted into cellars.

To accompany this drink, synonymous with celebrations and special occasions, it's hard to miss the no less famous Biscuits Roses de Reims. Made to a traditional recipe, the proportions of which are kept secret, and which is still produced by the last remaining manufacturer, the biscuit owes its semi-hard, semi-crumbly texture to its slow baking. If you're curious, you can visit the Fossier biscuit factory, nicknamed the Maison du Biscuit Rose (visits by appointment, Monday to Friday).