This section is dedicated to take away all your "I wish someone had told me that before I went!" experiences. This way, you can spend less time settling in, and more time making new friends in your chosen hostel. We share our insider knowledge of tips, tricks and important things to look out for in Reims.
Reims, the Champagne Capital of France, is home to a number of internationally-renowned champagne houses that have been producing the bubbly beverage for hundreds of years and are still in operation. Visitors to the historic town can visit several of these champagne houses, some of which are within walking distance of the town, while others require a car. Many require prior reservations.
Unless you’ve been indulging in the local drink, Reims is ultimately a very walkable city, and any hostel located in Reims proper will be relatively close to the centre. The railway station, while not in the immediate centre of town, is still close enough that many visitors should be able to walk between the two points in about twenty minutes, and it is possible to walk between the railway station and Tattinger Champagne House, which is located on the opposite side of the town. There are buses that ply the city streets, although visitors renting cars and staying in Reims hostels should note that the historic centre of town is pedestrian-only. Visitors who do rent a car should inquire with their Reims hostel about the availability and cost of parking. The streets can be quite narrow, and visitors cannot just park their cars on a back street somewhere.
Although known for its champagne, there is more to see in the town than the alcohol production centres. The ornate Gothic-style Reims Cathedral is the location where the kings of France were once crowned. However, the city’s history stretches back farther than that, and Roman ruins are being discovered and excavated. Shops selling champagne and glasses dot the town, and there are plenty of little café-bars where the hungry traveler can indulge.