Flights to Reims-Champagne

Reims is often regarded as the capital of the Champagne province in France. Along with its splendid and world-renowned wine production, there are plenty of sights to visit.

Though there are no direct flights to Reims, it’s easy to get here from Paris...

Of course it is for the champagne that many visitors flock here. From the glamorous brands that many of us can only dream of affording to the more wallet-friendly varieties, champagne is named after the province where the grapes are grown and then turned into fizzy wine.

There are more than 300 vineyards in the region, with many providing tours. A glass of bubbly is often included. You can also visit the tunnels and caves that stretch for 150 miles under Reims and learn more about how champagne is made. The champagne is aged in these chalk caverns, some of which date as far back as Roman times. Some of them are so large you need to travel round on a small train. Again, tasting is often offered.

The famous names of Lanson, Veuve Clicquot, Krug, Mumm, Piper-Heidsieck, Tattinger and Pommery can all be found in Reims, making it an essential stop for all champagne lovers.

In addition to enjoying the history and flavours of the champagne, Reims has several splendid buildings that have been designated as Unesco World Heritage sites.

French kings were once crowned amid the Gothic splendour of the Notre-Dame Cathedral of Reims. It was built in the 13th century and its magnificence still attracts more than one million visitors a year.

The beautiful Palais du Tau is the former home of the Archbishop of Reims but is now a museum housing tapestries and statues from the cathedral alongside artefacts connected to the coronation of French kings. Future monarchs would stay here the evening before their coronation, and after the ceremony a magnificent banquet would be held.

The Saint Remi Basilica was built between the 11th and 15th centuries and the church is a mix of Romanesque, Gothic and Renaissance styles. The buildings of the church hold an extensive art and history collection relating to Reims.

The Museum of Fine Arts is home to a rich collection of 16th to 20th century art from all the major European artistic movements. Its main objects are paintings but there are also drawings, sculptures, furniture and engravings, making it one of the finest collections in France.

Around 15 miles outside Reims you will find the Reims-Gueux race track. The circuit was open between 1926 and 1972 and in that time hosted the French Grand Prix on 15 occasions. It's well worth a visit to see the old grandstands and pits.

Despite champagne being the toast of the drinks trade, you’ll find flying to the city a little more troublesome than raising a glass...

With Ryanair no longer operating to the destination, there are no longer any direct flights from the UK.

However, being in close proximity to Paris, it’s easy to fly from many airports around the UK into the French capital’s airports at Charles de Gaulle, Orly, Vatry and Beauvais and use the excellent French rail network or a hire car to reach your destination.

Air France, easyJet, Ryanair, British Airways and Jet2 all have flights taking around one hour to make the short hop.

You won’t find a direct flight to Reims, though you’ll find plenty to Paris. From there it’s straightforward to travel onwards to Reims...

If you’re looking for cheap flights to Reims you’ll have to consider flying into Paris and then travelling by rail, taxi or hire car to reach your hotel in Reims.

One of the best options for getting to Reims is to find cheap flights to Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport (CDG) and then use the French railways to travel to Reims Station or the Champagne Ardennes TGV station.

From the airport you can travel directly on the TGV high-speed trains to Champagne Ardennes TGV station. This is a 30-minute journey and departures occur every few hours. From Champagne Ardennes TGV station you can hop on a local train and travel into the heart of Reims. Alternatively, as the Champagne Ardennes station is only a 15-minute drive from central Reims, you could just find a taxi here and complete the final leg of your journey by road. A one-way ticket between Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport and Champagne Ardennes TGV station costs around £25.

Reims is only around 80 miles from the French capital, so you could easily rent a car to complete the final leg of your journey. Collect your pre-booked hire car at Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport and you’ll be in Reims in around 90 minutes.

If you’re going to sample the local bubbly then you’ll need an equally splendid hotel in Reims...

Fortunately, there are plenty of hotels in Reims that provide a comfortable and enjoyable stay during your explorations of Champagne. The Centre Ville, or downtown/city centre, area of Reims is packed with hotels. This is a great place to base your stay if you plan to get around on foot, as most of the attractions are close by. In the centre you’ll find many luxury hotels, as well as a handful of mid-range options.

Budget hotels in Reims are hard to come by, though the city’s outskirts house a few good options. Hiring a car during your break means you won’t be waiting around for public transport to get you in and out of the city. Some of the hotels on the fringes of Reims can be more than an hour away on foot, though with a car you can make the journey in 10 minutes.

Hotels in Reims-Champagne are likely to be at their busiest during the Joan of Arc Festival. The honouring of the French patron Saint is considered to be one of the country's greatest historical events and is held every June. It's advisable to book hotel rooms ahead.

Whenever you travel, compare the price of hotels in Reims using TravelSupermarket’s tool and save money by booking in advance.