Reims is Full of History and Champagne

Reims is less than an hour train ride from Paris on the TGV of Rail Europe, making it a great first stop in the Champagne Region. It is filled with French history, like the Notre-Dame de Reims, one of the most important of Europe's gothic cathedrals. It has been named named a UNESCO World Heritage site and was the place of coronation for 25 kings.

The Palace of Tau was once the palace used by the archbishops of Reims and is now a museum displaying the crowns, jewels and robs of many French kings. You will find a slightly later bit of history displayed in the Museum of Fine Arts of Reims, which goes through works in the 15^th to 20^th century, and the Saint-Reim Museum, once a Benedictine Abbey and still showing pieces that go as far back as prehistoric times. This is just a sampling of the history you can explore in Reims, but the city offers another side.

As much as Reims is the place of yesterday, it is also very much today. There is a beautifully designed library, the Bibliotheque Carnegie, constructed through by donations from the frequently visiting American, Andrew Carnegie. You can also find kid-friendly activities, like the Musee Automobile Reims and the Planetarium.

While in Reims, you will find yourself happily wondering the streets and finding cafes, bakeries and shops that will remind you of Paris, with just a bit more quaintness. Old hotels, bed and breakfasts and modern offerings like Hotel de la Paix (a Best Western Property) are available to suit every need. The city is also welcoming its tram service in 2011, so you can easily travel around Reims and see all it has to offer.

Throughout the trek through this city which honors the old and new, you can almost forget that this is the region of Champagne and that is one of the things they do best here. The vineyards of Pinot Noir, Chardonnay and Pinot Meunier - the champagne grapes - surround Reims. Among the houses that call this French city home are Veuve Clicquot, Krug, Taittinger, Pommery and Mumm.

Where there is good champagne there is also good food and Reims is no exception. From Café du Palais, where the local come for authentic French cuisine, wine and an eclectic atmosphere, to Le Parc at Les Crayeres where you'll find five star luxury, there is no shortage of excellent cuisine in Reims. It's a treasure in France's Champagne Region.

For more information on visiting Reims, check out their tourism website.