Best of Reims

Soaring above the cobbled streets of Reims, the magnificent Cathédral Notre Dame was where some two dozen French kings began their reign. The Gothic spires of this Unesco World Heritage site are often the first introduction to this ancient city, though there’s much more to Reims than just medieval pomp. You’ll also find Roman ruins, impressive museums, art-deco architecture, and some renowned restaurants and luxury hotels (including one set in a castle) that make it well worthwhile to spend a few nights.  

Reims is the gateway to the Champagne, a region justly famed for its prestigious vineyards. You can take in a mix of cultural and viticultural treasures on an excursion that combines city strolls with tasting excursions to notable producers like Veuve Clicquot, Mumm and Bollinger. Fringed by forests and lowland fields, the vine-covered hillsides of Champagne make for a scenic backdrop on a day tour. One of the best ways to see it all is to book a hot-air balloon flight.