All tours in Reims

Reims

Crowns and Crayères: The Sacred and Sparkling Secrets of Reims

3.3 km120 min8 stops

What awaits you on this Red Thread tour

Step into a world where divine right and earthly delight collide. In Reims, the heavens and the earth are bound together by two extraordinary forces: the sacred oil that anointed the Kings of France, and the sparkling wine that conquered the globe. Join Marco, a culinary expert, and Marta, a local historian, on a grandiose journey through soaring Gothic cathedrals, opulent banquet halls, and ancient subterranean chalk pits. You will discover how medieval monks, visionary widows, and a teenage warrior named Joan of Arc shaped the destiny of a city. This is not just a history tour; it is a sensory exploration of power, faith, and the effervescent taste of celebration.

Itinerary

1

TOUR START

Statue of Joan of Arc

The bronze monument to the teenage warrior who secured the sacred coronation tradition of France.

Statue of Joan of Arc

Pic by [1] on Wikimedia Commons (Public domain)

0.11 km • 2 min
2

STOP 2

Cathédrale Notre-Dame de Reims

The majestic Gothic masterpiece where 33 French kings were crowned.

Cathédrale Notre-Dame de Reims

Pic by Ludovic Péron on Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 3.0)

0.32 km • 5 min
3

STOP 3

Palais du Tau

The former Archbishop's palace where lavish post-coronation banquets introduced royalty to local wines.

Palais du Tau

Pic by Fab5669 on Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 3.0)

0.98 km • 15 min
4

STOP 4

Ancien Collège des Jésuites (Sciences Po Campus)

A 17th-century Jesuit college representing the religious orders that meticulously developed the region's viticulture.

Ancien Collège des Jésuites (Sciences Po Campus)

Pic by Boubloub on Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 4.0)

0.63 km • 10 min
5

STOP 5

Basilique Saint-Remi

The ancient Romanesque basilica that housed the Holy Ampulla, the source of the kings' divine right.

Basilique Saint-Remi

Pic by Fab5669 on Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 3.0)

0.09 km • 1 min
6

STOP 6

Musée Saint-Remi

Housed in the former abbey, this museum reveals the Roman roots and monastic mastery of the region's vineyards.

Musée Saint-Remi

Pic by Dguendel on Wikimedia Commons (CC BY 4.0)

0.48 km • 7 min
7

STOP 7

Champagne Taittinger

Ancient Gallo-Roman chalk pits transformed by monks into the perfect subterranean cellars for aging champagne.

Champagne Taittinger

Pic by UNTERMVIERENBERGE-2 on Wikimedia Commons (CC0)

0.64 km • 10 min
8

END

Domaine Pommery

The spectacular Elizabethan-style estate and underground city that cemented champagne as a global symbol of luxury.

Domaine Pommery

Pic by Peter Potrowl on Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 3.0)

Where the tour takes place

Starting point and rough tour area – the exact route unfolds in the app.

Good to know

  • Ideal for History buffs, oenophiles, architecture enthusiasts, and lovers of grand, sweeping narratives.
  • Best time Late morning to early afternoon, allowing the sunlight to illuminate the cathedral's stained glass before descending into the cool cellars.
  • What to wear Bring a light jacket or sweater; the underground chalk cellars remain a brisk 10 degrees Celsius year-round.
  • Footwear Comfortable walking shoes are essential for navigating cobblestones and the 116 steps down into the Pommery cellars.
  • Tasting bookings Book your cellar tours and champagne tastings at Taittinger and Pommery well in advance, as they sell out quickly.
  • Pacing Take your time between the northern and southern stops; enjoy a local café to break up the walk.
  • Your voucher You can redeem your voucher for two years from purchase. Once redeemed, you have 14 days of access and can enjoy the tour as often as you like during that time.

Your guide

Marco Bianchi
Audio sample
0:000:00

Marco Bianchi

  • Foodways & Culinary Identity
  • Northern Italy

Culinary guide and passionate host. Shows how food connects identity, migration, and memories.

Frequently asked questions

How do I get to the tour after buying?

You see your voucher code right after payment – and you also receive it at the email address you entered at checkout. Redeem that code in the Red Thread app; that's where the tour starts.

When does my access start?

Only when you redeem the code in the app, not at purchase. From redemption you have 14 days of access to the tour.

Do I need the Red Thread app?

Yes. The free Red Thread app turns your tour into a vivid experience: with audio, a map, and thoughtful prompts, it guides you from place to place in an engaging and entertaining way. It's available free for iOS and Android.

Discover more tours in Reims

Experience Reims from more surprising perspectives.

See more tours in Reims
Now only €3.99 incl. VAT