Walk at your own pace and enjoy the English stories,
written by a local guide.
Where were the kings of France crowned? Right here, in the Gothic cathedral of Reims. This self-guided walking tour takes you past the cathedral, the Palais du Tau, the third-century Roman arch Porte de Mars and the Basilica of Saint-Remi. The route follows the most beautiful way through the city, not the fastest — surprising you with corners and details you'd otherwise walk straight past. Spoken directions guide you along, and the map in the app always shows where you are. No group, no schedule — and time for a glass of champagne whenever you feel like it.
Why Visit: 33 French kings were crowned here, from Louis VIII (1223) to Charles X (1825) – the holy oil arrived in an ampulla said to be brought by a dove from heaven.
The smiling angel at the north portal became the city’s emblem. German shelling in WWI destroyed the roof, but Chagall’s 1974 stained glass revived the interior. Your audio guide Reims explains how Joan of Arc stood beside Charles VII at his 1429 coronation, her banner above the altar.
Ever Wondered: why post-coronation banquets for 3,000 guests were held here – Charles X’s party cost 1.7 million francs?
The treasury preserves regalia including Charlemagne’s 9th-century talisman. The name comes from its T-shaped plan. Any walking tour Reims should stop for the 15th-century tapestries narrating the life of Clovis, the first Frankish king.
The Story Behind: Saint Remigius baptized King Clovis here in 496, making France Christian – his tomb still attracts pilgrims.
The 1049 basilica survived the Revolution by serving as a grain store. The 12th-century choir is a gem of early Gothic. This self guided tour Reims highlight includes the chandelier with 96 candle holders, gifted for Saint-Remi’s 900th death anniversary.
Local Secret: The cellars occupy 4th-century Gallo-Roman chalk quarries; 18 meters underground, champagne matures at a constant 10°C (50°F).
Saint-Nicaise Abbey stood here until the Revolution. Around 15 million bottles now rest in miles of tunnels. Chalk regulates humidity and temperature – one reason major houses chose Reims (you’ll hear this in your audio guide Reims).
What You’ll Find: Northern Europe’s largest Roman triumphal arch (c. 200 AD), with reliefs of Romulus and Remus and the she-wolf.
33 meters wide, 13 high; named for Mars, god of war. Napoleon used it as a barracks entrance. Enclosed by medieval walls, it was freed only in 1817. A walking tour Reims shows how Roman, medieval and modern layers intersect here.
Back in 1760: Architect Legendre laid out this square with a statue of Louis XV – revolutionaries melted it into cannons.
The 1818 replacement depicts another Louis (history’s unsure which). Baroque arcaded façades now host champagne houses and cafés. Saturday antiques markets yield Art Deco finds – Reims became a hub of the style after WWI (add it to your self guided tour Reims).
