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 to the history of France and even Europe, making it a place worth visiting during a trip to the Champagne wine region.

Here's everything you need to know before visiting Notre Dame Cathedral in Reims.

The first thing you need to know is that access to Reims Cathedral is free and, if you want to see it on your own, you do not need to buy tickets in advance. However, if you want to see it as part of a guided tour, you do need to make a reservation. The latter option is interesting if you are looking to delve deeper into its history.

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

Notre Dame Cathedral in Reims is located in the city centre, at a spot that is easy to identify as it is the tallest building in the city. It is on Cardinal Luçon Street and, although it has several doors, the main entrance is on the front façade, on Place du Parvis. It is the most important tourist attraction in Reims and, therefore, a must-see on your itinerary.

Reims Cathedral has very long opening hours. It is open every day of the week from 7:30 a.m. and closes at 7:30 p.m. on weekdays. On Sundays and public holidays, it closes at 7:15 p.m. However, admission ends 15 minutes before closing time.

If you want to visit the towers and the bell tower, you will need to contact the Palais de Tau administration, as opening hours are adjusted upon request. This must be done 15 days in advance and you must indicate the number of people who will be attending. A minimum of 10 people is required for it to open.

Opening hours on public holidays vary depending on Mass times. Visiting the Cathedral is one of the best things to do in Reims during Christmas, as guided tours are organised without the need for prior booking and there are usually special masses.

The time you need to spend visiting Reims Cathedral depends on how interested you are in seeing the art on display inside and its complex structure. Most people believe that half an hour is more than enough, even if you look at everything in detail. However, there are those who want to feel the peace of this place for spiritual or religious reasons and therefore believe that they need to spend at least an hour inside.

My recommendation is to book a private tour of Reims that includes a visit to the cathedral, as an expert guide will explain the significance of everything you see.

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

My advice is to go in the early morning or late afternoon if you are travelling with children, as there will be fewer visitors and it will be more comfortable.

Another way to make visiting a cathedral with young children more bearable is to take a guided tour, such as a private tour of Reims.

If it's your first time in the city, it's best to walk to Notre Dame Cathedral in Reims. As it's such a small city, you can get there from the train station in less than five minutes. In fact, you can walk around the centre of Reims in less than four or five hours.

In any case, the tram has a station called Ópera-Cathedrale that can help you get to and from this church if you are staying in another part of the city. This is useful to know, as this means of transport is the closest thing there is to a mass transport system such as the metro in Reims.

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

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 you can't miss:

• Its exterior, which has three different porticos, is full of statues and statuettes that are very characteristic of European cathedrals. In fact, only Chartres Cathedral has more sculpted figures within France. The main portico is one of the main attractions that you should pay attention to. It is dedicated to the Virgin Mary and features different sculptures of Catholic figures. The smiling angel is one of the most characteristic.
• Another feature of the façade are the towers, which are 86 metres high and have other scenes carved 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 take more than two centuries and was mainly carried out during one of them, the 13th century. This was not common in the construction of these magnificent churches.
• The surroundings of the cathedral are also something you should enjoy, as the front façade is not the only impressive feature. In fact, some say that its side walls are the most impressive aspect of the structure.

As you can see, visiting Notre Dame Cathedral is one of the best things to do in Reims. Here are some recommendations to help you get the most out of your visit, whether you are travelling with children, on a planned excursion or on your own. Tips to follow if you want to enjoy this city to the fullest:

• Take your time: The first thing I can tell you is to take your time, as it is open 12 hours a day and there are no restrictions on free admission times. So there is no 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 explore the surrounding area: As it is the most important building in the city, the surrounding area is full of important institutions, including the Law Courts, the Reims Opera House, the Museum of Fine Arts, the Palace of Tau and the Place Royale with its cafés and institutional buildings. In addition, the neighbourhood surrounding the Cathedral is the most visited area of the city and, as a result, there is a wide range of shops and restaurants.
• Avoid coinciding with a mass: If you want to be able to talk quietly and walk around the cathedral without pressure, it is preferable that your visit does not coincide with mass. The reality is that these religious services do not follow a specific schedule throughout the year and keeping track of them is very complex. So, if you happen to encounter a mass, it is preferable to go for lunch or visit the neighbouring palace and then return to continue your tour on your own terms.
• Book a guided tour: Whenever you have the opportunity, book a private tour of Reims.