Reims is a compact city of about 180,000 residents, but its neighborhoods have distinct characters shaped by champagne wealth, Roman and medieval history, and post-World War I reconstruction. Most visitors spend their time in the Centre-Ville around the cathedral, but the city’s champagne heritage is most visible in the Quartier des Moissons on the eastern side, while Saint-Remi offers a quieter, more local atmosphere. Here’s a guide to the neighborhoods of Reims and which one suits your travel style. For an overview of the city, see the Reims travel guide.
Reims Neighborhoods: Centre-Ville (City Center)
The heart of Reims, centered on the cathedral and extending to Place Drouet d’Erlon. This is where you’ll find the cathedral, Palais du Tau, Place Royale, and the main shopping streets (Rue de Vesle, Rue Condorcet). The architecture is a mix of surviving medieval buildings and 1920s Art Deco reconstruction — most of the city was rebuilt after World War I shelling destroyed 80% of Reims’ buildings. The area between the cathedral and Place d’Erlon is entirely walkable (700 meters end to end). This neighborhood has the highest concentration of hotels, restaurants, and bars. Best for first-time visitors who want everything within a 10-minute walk. Hotel prices range from 70 to 250 euros per night depending on category and season. Also see our Reims weather by month guide.
Reims Neighborhoods: Quartier Saint-Remi
The historic southern quarter anchored by the Basilique Saint-Remi and its attached museum. This was the original center of Reims in the early medieval period before the cathedral quarter took prominence. The streets here are narrower and quieter, with fewer tourists making the 15-minute walk from the cathedral. Rue Saint-Julien has several good boulangeries and small restaurants where locals eat. The area around Place du Chanoine Ladame has half-timbered houses that survived the war. You’ll find smaller, independent hotels and guesthouses here with prices 20-30% lower than Centre-Ville. Best for travelers who want a quieter base with local atmosphere while staying walking distance from major sights. Also see our best time to visit Reims guide.
Reims Neighborhoods: Quartier des Moissons (Champagne Quarter)
The eastern neighborhood where most of the major champagne houses cluster. Avenue de Champagne and the streets radiating from it house Taittinger, Pommery, Veuve Clicquot, Mumm, and Ruinart. This is a residential area with champagne wealth on display — grand 19th-century mansions built by champagne families sit behind iron gates, often with the house name in gold letters on the wall. The neighborhood is quiet in the evenings, with few restaurants beyond what the champagne houses offer. It’s a 15-minute walk from the cathedral. Villa Demoiselle and the Parc de Champagne are here. Best for champagne-focused trips where you plan to visit 2-3 houses in a day. Limited hotel options in this area — most visitors stay in Centre-Ville and walk over. Also see our things to do in Reims guide.
Reims Neighborhoods: Quartier Clairmarais (Les Halles)
The neighborhood just north of Place d’Erlon, anchored by the Boulingrin covered market (Marche du Boulingrin). This 1920s Art Deco market hall was designed by Emile Maigrot and is worth a visit on market mornings (Wednesday, Friday, Saturday) for the architecture alone. The surrounding streets form the “Carre d’Or” (Golden Square), an area of upscale apartments, cocktail bars, and wine shops. Rue de Mars runs through this quarter with several bistros popular with locals. Best for food-focused travelers who want to be near the market and prefer cocktail bars over tourist-focused venues. The train station (Gare de Reims) is at the northern edge of this neighborhood.
Reims Neighborhoods: Quartier Europe and Chesnay
The modern commercial district south and east of the city center. Quartier Europe is Reims’ business hub, with office buildings, chain hotels (Ibis, Novotel, Holiday Inn), and the TGV Champagne-Ardenne station connection. There’s little tourist appeal here, but hotels in this zone cost 30-50% less than city center properties. Tram line A connects this area to the cathedral in about 10 minutes. Quartier Chesnay to the west is a leafy residential area with the Parc de la Patte d’Oie and Parc Leo Lagrange. Best for budget-conscious travelers or those with a car (easier parking and direct access to the A4/A26 motorways). Not recommended if you want to walk to sights.
Reims Neighborhoods: Hautvillers and the Montagne de Reims (Day Trip)
While not technically a Reims neighborhood, the village of Hautvillers (6km northeast of Reims, about 15 minutes by car or taxi) is where Dom Perignon lived and worked as a Benedictine monk in the 17th century. His tomb is in the abbey church. The village itself is a single main street lined with champagne producers offering tastings without the formality of the grand marques in Reims. The viewpoint from the top of the village looks over the Marne Valley vineyards. A taxi from Reims costs about 25 to 30 euros each way. The Route Touristique du Champagne runs through the Montagne de Reims villages (Ay, Bouzy, Verzenay), and this area is best explored by car or on a guided champagne tour departing from Reims (half-day tours from 65 euros per person).
