When most travelers think of Reims, they picture the magnificent Cathédrale Notre-Dame de Reims, the place where French kings were crowned and where the Gothic stones almost hum with history. I won’t lie—my very first stop in Reims was the cathedral too, and it truly lived up to every ounce of its fame. But what surprised me, and ultimately enchanted me, was everything that lay beyond the cathedral.
Reims is a city layered with history like a mille-feuille pastry: Roman roots, medieval power, champagne-fueled elegance, wartime resilience, and modern creativity. And nowhere is this layered story told better than in the city’s museums. I’ve learned that if you really want to know a city, don’t just walk its streets or taste its food—walk through its museums. They’re like intimate conversations with the past and present.
So let me take you with me, step by step, through four unforgettable museums in Reims. I’ll share what made me gasp, smile, scribble notes like an excited student, and sometimes sit quietly in awe. For each, I’ll highlight the works and exhibits that captured my heart, give you practical tips on tickets, transportation, and booking, and of course, spill the truth on what’s wonderful and what could be better.
Ready? Let’s go beyond the cathedral.
Musée des Beaux-Arts de Reims (Museum of Fine Arts)
📍 Location: 8 Rue Chanzy, 51100 Reims, France
🚉 How to get there: From Reims train station (Gare de Reims), it’s about a 15-minute walk straight down Rue de Vesle. Alternatively, take tram line A to “Langlet.”
🕒 Opening Hours: Wednesday–Monday, 10:00–12:00 and 14:00–18:00. Closed Tuesdays.
💶 Tickets: €5 standard, €3 reduced (students, seniors). Free on the first Sunday of each month.
🎟️ Booking: Tickets are available on-site or through the Reims tourism office website.
My Personal Experience
The Musée des Beaux-Arts was my first museum stop in Reims, and I still remember walking up the steps of the elegant 18th-century abbey building where it’s housed. I’m a sucker for fine arts museums, but what struck me here wasn’t just the works—it was the tranquil atmosphere. Unlike Paris’s Louvre, you don’t elbow through crowds. Here, you wander, linger, breathe.
The collection spans from the Renaissance to the 20th century, and while it isn’t as overwhelming as the Louvre or Musée d’Orsay, it’s rich in personality. I almost felt like I was discovering treasures kept secret for those who made the effort to come to Reims.
Three Works I Loved Personally
- “View of Reims” by Camille Corot
o This painting stopped me in my tracks. It’s a delicate landscape, and as someone who had just walked through modern Reims, seeing Corot’s 19th-century perspective felt like time travel. His muted tones made the city look dreamlike, almost poetic. I sat on the bench in front of it for 15 minutes, imagining myself walking the same paths he painted. - Foujita’s “Holy Family”
o The Japanese-French painter Tsuguharu Foujita, who settled in Reims later in life, brings together Eastern precision with Western spirituality. The lines were so clean, the colors almost glowing. Knowing that Foujita himself is buried in Reims made this piece especially emotional for me—it felt like I was meeting a part of his soul. - The Collection of Tapestries
o These massive works were breathtaking in detail. I loved standing close to see the intricate threads, then stepping back to take in the full scene. One depicting the story of Saint Remi (Reims’ patron saint) caught my imagination. It’s history told not with words but with shimmering threads.
Three Works I Recommend for You
- “Christ on the Cross” by Cranach the Elder – It’s stark, emotional, and masterful.
- An entire room dedicated to Art Deco glasswork – The patterns and colors sparkle like champagne bubbles.
- The Impressionist section (Monet & Renoir included) – These are the perfect “wow” moments for anyone who loves light and color.
Services, Pros & Cons
✔️ Pros:
• Not crowded—room to breathe.
• Excellent range of works from local to international masters.
• Affordable ticket prices and free days.
❌ Cons:
• The labeling could be more detailed for non-French speakers (bring a guidebook or use Google Lens).
• Limited café facilities—grab coffee beforehand.
Musée de la Reddition (Museum of the Surrender)
📍 Location: 12 Rue Franklin Roosevelt, 51100 Reims
🚉 How to get there: From Gare de Reims, it’s literally a 5-minute walk.
🕒 Opening Hours: Daily 10:00–18:00. Closed on major holidays.
💶 Tickets: €5 adults, €3 reduced. Free for children under 18.
🎟️ Booking: Tickets sold on-site, no need to pre-book unless in large groups.
My Personal Experience
If the Musée des Beaux-Arts whispered with beauty, the Musée de la Reddition roared with history. This was the exact building where Germany signed its unconditional surrender on May 7, 1945, ending World War II in Europe. Walking into the preserved “Salle de la Signature” felt electric—as if the walls still echoed with the voices of Eisenhower’s men and the German delegation.
For me, whose grandfather fought in the war, this wasn’t just a museum—it was a pilgrimage. I walked slowly, absorbing every black-and-white photo, every map, every uniform, thinking of the ordinary soldiers and civilians behind the headlines.
Three Exhibits I Loved Personally
- The “Salle de la Signature” (Surrender Room)
o The room has been preserved almost exactly as it was that day: the same maps on the wall, the same wooden table, the same chairs. When I stood there, goosebumps ran up my arms. I could almost hear pens scratching on paper. - General Eisenhower’s Headquarters Map
o A massive wall map detailing military positions in Europe in 1945. Seeing it up close, with the pushpins still in place, gave me a visceral sense of the war’s scale. - Film Reel Footage
o The museum screens original footage of the surrender and liberation. Watching it in the very place where it happened was surreal. I teared up.
Three Exhibits I Recommend for You
- The collection of military uniforms – French, American, British, and German, all lined up.
- The typewriter used for drafting surrender documents – Imagine the clack of its keys sealing history.
- Photos of everyday life in Reims during WWII – Sobering, yet essential.
Services, Pros & Cons
✔️ Pros:
• Small but extremely powerful museum.
• Historic authenticity—nothing feels staged.
• Very affordable entry.
❌ Cons:
• Limited English translations on some displays.
• No café or gift shop (plan accordingly).
Musée-Hôtel Le Vergeur
📍 Location: 36 Place du Forum, 51100 Reims
🚉 How to get there: From the cathedral, it’s just a 5-minute walk through charming cobbled streets.
🕒 Opening Hours: Wednesday–Monday, 14:00–18:00. Closed Tuesdays.
💶 Tickets: €5 standard, €3 reduced.
🎟️ Booking: Book via the Société des Amis du Vieux Reims website or buy on-site.
My Personal Experience
This museum is unlike any other in Reims—it’s a historic mansion once owned by collector Hugues Krafft. Walking inside felt like being a guest in a wealthy Reims family’s home from centuries past. The creaking wooden stairs, the antique furniture, the paintings—it all whispered stories.
I loved the fact that the museum combines art, history, and architecture. It’s cozy, quirky, and feels deeply personal, almost like stepping into someone’s diary.
Three Works I Loved Personally
- Albrecht Dürer Engravings
o Krafft collected over 50 of Dürer’s engravings, and they’re absolutely mesmerizing. Fine lines, delicate shadows—it was like looking at the DNA of European art. - The 18th-century dining room
o Fully preserved with porcelain and silverware. Standing there, I imagined candlelit dinners with champagne flowing. - The Portraits Gallery
o I always love old portraits, and here I found myself studying the faces—stern fathers, elegant ladies, mischievous children—wondering about their lives.
Three Works I Recommend for You
- Japanese art pieces brought back by Krafft – A rare surprise in Reims.
- The Roman ruins visible under the building – A peek into even deeper history.
- The library room – Books stacked floor to ceiling, smelling faintly of leather and dust.
Services, Pros & Cons
✔️ Pros:
• Intimate, unique, and charming.
• Great for history buffs who want something different.
• Beautifully preserved mansion setting.
❌ Cons:
• Limited English signage.
• Small—best for a one-hour visit, not a half-day.
Musée Saint-Remi (Saint-Remi Museum)
📍 Location: 53 Rue Simon, 51100 Reims
🚉 How to get there: From the cathedral, take bus line 6 or 9 to “Saint-Remi.” About a 10-minute ride.
🕒 Opening Hours: Daily 10:00–12:00 and 14:00–18:00. Closed Tuesdays.
💶 Tickets: €5 standard, €3 reduced. Free first Sunday of the month.
🎟️ Booking: Tickets available at the door or via the Reims City Pass.
My Personal Experience
If I had to choose my favorite museum in Reims, this would be it. The Musée Saint-Remi is housed in a former Benedictine abbey, and it feels monumental the moment you step in. Vaulted ceilings, endless halls, echoing chambers—it’s a museum that breathes grandeur.
The collection is vast: Roman archaeology, medieval art, military history, and, of course, treasures linked to Saint Remi, the bishop who baptized Clovis, the first Christian king of the Franks. I wandered here for hours, constantly discovering new corridors.
Three Works I Loved Personally
- The Roman Mosaic Floor
o Huge, colorful, and shockingly well-preserved. I couldn’t believe I was standing in front of something nearly 2,000 years old. - The Reliquary of Saint Remi
o Golden, intricate, and holy. This reliquary contains the remains of Reims’ patron saint, and standing before it gave me chills. - Medieval Weapons Collection
o From swords to armor, I found myself grinning like a kid. There’s something thrilling about standing face to face with objects that once decided life and death.
Three Works I Recommend for You
- The Gothic Sculpture Hall – Angels, saints, gargoyles—like a cathedral in fragments.
- The 17th-century pharmacy – Jars of herbs and old glass vials, like a wizard’s workshop.
- The Napoleonic Military Exhibits – Uniforms and medals that paint the story of France’s armies.
Services, Pros & Cons
✔️ Pros:
• Vast, diverse collection—something for everyone.
• Stunning architecture of the old abbey.
• Excellent value for the price.
❌ Cons:
• Can be overwhelming—plan at least 2–3 hours.
• Some rooms lack heating in winter—bring a jacket.
Practical Tips for Booking & Discounts
• City Pass Reims: Available from €22 for 24 hours, it covers multiple museums (including the ones above) plus public transportation. Great value.
• Online Platforms: Use Reims Tourism Office or Tiqets/Headout for booking.
• Free Days: First Sunday of each month = free entry for many museums. Perfect for budget travelers.
• Opening Hours: Many museums close for lunch (12:00–14:00), so plan accordingly.
Why Reims’ Museums Stole My Heart
Standing in Reims, it’s tempting to let the cathedral overshadow everything else—it is magnificent, after all. But for me, it was the museums beyond the cathedral that deepened my understanding of the city.
• At the Musée des Beaux-Arts, I met the soul of Reims in brushstrokes and tapestries.
• At the Musée de la Reddition, I felt the heartbeat of modern history pounding in the very room where peace was signed.
• At the Musée-Hôtel Le Vergeur, I stepped into the intimate world of a collector who loved his city.
• And at the Musée Saint-Remi, I walked through centuries, from Romans to Napoleons, all under the gaze of a saint.
What I love most is that Reims’ museums don’t just show you objects; they invite you into stories. They are not overwhelming; they are personal, layered, and deeply connected to the city’s identity.
So if you come to Reims, don’t stop at the cathedral. Let yourself wander into these museums. Sit on the benches, read the labels, let your imagination run wild. Whether you’re a history buff, an art lover, or just a curious traveler, you’ll find that Reims has museums that feel like hidden treasures waiting for you to discover.
As I left the city, boarding the train back to Paris, I realized that Reims had given me more than just champagne and Gothic grandeur. It had given me a set of museums that spoke directly to my heart, making me laugh, cry, and stand in awe. And that, to me, is the true gift of travel.
