How to Visit Reims Cathedral of Notre Dame

Exploring the architectural and historical heritage is one of the best things to do in Reims. This small city has several buildings of great importance for the history of France and even Europe, which makes it a place that deserves to be visited during a visit to the Champagne wine region.

Here is everything you need to know before visiting the Notre Dame Cathedral in Reims.

The first thing you need to know about the access to the Notre Dame Cathedral is that it is located in the city centre, in a point that is easy to identify because it is the tallest building in the whole city. It is on Rue Cardinal Luçon and, although it has different doors, the main entrance is on the front façade, in the Place du Parvis. It is free to enter and you can even take a private tour. A very interesting option to delve into its architecture and history.

It is definitely the most important tourist attraction in Reims and, for this reason, it cannot be missing from the itinerary of a three-day visit to Reims, nor from a two-day visit to Reims and its surroundings. It is also a must if you book a private tour of Reims.

If you book a private tour of Reims you will not regret it, especially if your stay in Reims is going to be short, as a guide will help you learn all the important details as well as the most impressive buildings of the city.

The opening hours of the Reims Cathedral are extensive. It is open every day of the week from 7.30am and closes at 7.30pm on weekdays. On Sundays and public holidays, it closes at 7.15 pm. However, access ends 15 minutes before closing time.

If you want to visit the towers and the bell tower, you will have to contact the Palais de Tau administration, as the opening hours are adjusted on request. This must be done 15 days in advance and the number of people attending must be indicated. A minimum of 10 people must be present for the opening.

The opening times on public holidays change depending on the masses. Visiting the Cathedral is one of the best things to do in Reims during Christmas, as guided tours are organised without prior reservation and there are often special masses.

If you would like to take a guided tour of Notre Dame Cathedral , there are two possible ways to do so. One is to contact the Palais du Tau to organise a tour that includes the possibility of going up the two towers and seeing the bell tower. For this, there must be a minimum number of participants and the booking must be made up to 15 days in advance.

The other alternative is to book a private tour of the main attractions of the city of Reims, including the Cathedral, the Palais de Tau and the Basilica of Saint Remi. All three sites have been declared World Heritage Sites. It is of great historical importance, as the palace was the residence where the royal family prepared themselves before the coronations and the Cathedral was the place where the official coronation ceremony of the next French king took place.

In any case, opting for a guided tour is only recommendable if you have already had the opportunity to take part in one of the best excursions from Reims. Reims is known for its proximity to the wine-growing areas of the Champagne region, known for their quality.

The Cathedral of Notre Dame de Reims is open to all history buffs and those who wish to see the art inside regardless of religion, age or place of origin. There are no limitations regardless of whether there are special events for Catholic commemorative dates such as Easter or Christmas.

In fact, on these special dates it is common to encourage visits, even by those who do not consider themselves as faithful Catholics, as the place is quite important for the historical and architectural identity of Reims and within the tourism of the French North-East.

The Cathedral of Notre Dame de Reims is best reached on foot if it's your first time in the city. Being such a small city, you can get there from the train station in less than five minutes. In fact, walking the centre of Reims is something you can do in less than four or five hours.

Anyway, the Tram has a station called Opera-Cathedrale that can help you get to and from this church in case you are staying in another part of the city. This is practical knowing that this means of transport is the closest thing there is to a mass transit system like the metro in Reims.

You should also know that it is not recommended to arrive by private car, as it is not comfortable, although the CPA Cathedrale car park allows you to park your car for a couple of euros in a comfortable and safe place. It is less than 300 metres from the Cathedral square, on Rue des Capuchins, between Rue Libergier and Rue Henri Hadart.

There are really no limitations on children of all ages entering the Notre-Dame de Reims Cathedral. However, you should keep in mind that it may not be the most entertaining activity for young children. Therefore, it is quite convenient to know that in front of the Cathedral there is a square with other nearby monuments that you can see from outside while you are with the little ones.

My advice is to go during the early morning or late afternoon in case you are with children because there will be fewer visitors and it will be more comfortable.

Another way to make the tour of a Cathedral more bearable when travelling with small children is to participate in a guided excursion such as a private tour of Reims.

Without a doubt, Reims Cathedral is a marvel of French Gothic architecture and a must-see if you book a private tour of Reims. Here's what not to miss:

• Its exterior, which has three different porticoes, is loaded with statues and statuettes very characteristic of European cathedrals. In fact, Chartres Cathedral alone has the most sculpted figures in France. The main portico is one of the main attractions you should pay attention to. It is dedicated to the Virgin Mary and has different sculptures of Catholic figures. The angel with the smile is one of the most characteristic.
• Another aspect of the façade are the towers, which are 86 metres high and have other scenes sculpted into their structure.
• The interior is also a place you should pay close attention to and is characterised by a fairly unified architectural style, as the construction did not last more than two centuries and mainly took place during one of them, the 13th century. This was unusual for the construction of these magnificent churches.
• The Cathedral's surroundings are also something you should enjoy, as the front façade is not the only impressive thing about it. In fact, some say that its side walls are the most impressive aspect of the structure.

How much time you need to spend to visit the Reims Cathedral depends on how interested you are in seeing the art on display inside and the complex structure of the cathedral. Most people think that half an hour is more than enough time even if you look at it in detail. However, there are those who wish to feel the peace of this place for spiritual or religious interests and therefore believe that they should spend at least an hour inside.

My recommendation is to book a private tour of Reims that includes it in your visit, as an expert guide will explain to you the importance of each of the things you are seeing.

As you have seen, visiting the Notre Dame Cathedral is one of the best things to do in Reims. There are a few tips I can give you to make the most of your visit whether you are travelling with children, on a planned excursion or on your own. Tips that you should follow if you want to make the most of this city:

• Go at your leisure: The first thing I can tell you is to go at your leisure, as it is open 12 hours a day and there is no time limit on free admission. So you don't need to rush. In fact, if there is one thing that characterises tourism in Reims, it is that it is much quieter and more moderate than in other cities with a larger number of visitors.
• Take the opportunity to get to know the surroundings: As it is the most important building in the city, the surrounding area is full of important institutions such as the Palace of Justice, the Reims Opera House, the Museum of Fine Arts, the Tau Palace or the Place Royale with its cafés and institutional buildings. The area around the Cathedral is also the most visited area of the city and, as a result, the shopping and gastronomic offer is quite abundant.
• Avoid coinciding with a mass: If you want to be able to talk calmly and walk around the Cathedral without pressure, it is preferable that your visit does not coincide with a mass. The reality is that these religious acts do not follow a specific timetable throughout the year and following the pattern is very complex. So in the event that you do find yourself at a mass, it is preferable that you go for lunch or visit the neighbouring palace and then return to do your tour on your own terms.
• Book a guided tour: Whenever you have the opportunity, book a private tour of Reims.