Travel, for me, is not complete without a good dose of shopping—not just buying, but browsing, touching, smelling, and bringing back a little piece of a place that will remind me of the journey long after I’ve returned home. In Reims, Champagne’s beating heart, I found shopping to be more than a transaction; it was a cultural experience, an introduction to local pride, and, of course, an exercise in temptation.
I explored modern shopping centers that rival those in Paris with sleek architecture and international brands, but also discovered traditional markets where stall owners still greet you with a smile and offer you a slice of cheese or a taste of honey before you buy. Between these two extremes, I managed to bring home bags filled with bubbly bottles, handmade soaps, stylish scarves, and more than one box of chocolate pralines.
Let me take you along to the four modern shopping centers I visited, and then introduce you to two traditional markets I recommend for a more authentic, colorful souvenir hunt.
- Galeries Lafayette Reims
Location: 33 Rue de Vesle, 51100 Reims
My Experience:
Walking into Galeries Lafayette in Reims felt like stepping into a cathedral of consumerism. Just as the city’s famous cathedral reaches for the heavens, the grand atrium of Galeries Lafayette seemed to stretch upward, with elegant balconies and the soft glow of designer displays.
I spent an entire afternoon here, partly because it’s located right on Rue de Vesle, the city’s main shopping artery. I was immediately drawn to the French fashion labels—Sandro, Maje, The Kooples—and even though I tried to be disciplined, a silky scarf for €89 caught my eye and eventually ended up in my shopping bag.
For souvenirs, I found the gourmet food section particularly rewarding. Beautifully wrapped boxes of Fossier Biscuits Roses de Reims (around €12 per box) were stacked high, and I knew they would make perfect gifts. I also discovered small bottles of champagne from lesser-known houses priced at about €25–€40, a great way to surprise friends with something they won’t find back home.
Service: The staff here were polished and helpful, though sometimes a little formal. One saleswoman went out of her way to explain the story behind Fossier biscuits, which made me appreciate my purchase even more.
Pros:
• Central location, easy to reach by tram (stop: Vesle).
• Wide range of French and international brands.
• Excellent gourmet food selection for gift shopping.
Cons:
• Can get crowded, especially on weekends.
• Prices slightly higher than local shops.
Tip: Visit in January or July during the French “soldes” (sales seasons) for discounts up to 50%.
- Centre Commercial Espace d’Erlon
Location: Place D’Erlon, 51100 Reims
If Rue de Vesle is Reims’ shopping backbone, then Place D’Erlon is its beating heart. This square, lined with cafés and restaurants, also hosts Espace d’Erlon, a shopping center that felt more relaxed and approachable compared to Galeries Lafayette.
Inside, I found shops like Fnac (a paradise for books, electronics, and music lovers), Sephora, and several mid-range fashion outlets. I ducked into Fnac to buy a coffee table book on Champagne vineyards (€35) that now sits proudly in my living room as both decoration and memory.
What I really loved was that Espace d’Erlon is surrounded by cafés—so after a round of shopping, I sat outside with a cappuccino, people-watching and admiring the square’s lively atmosphere.
Service: Less polished than Galeries Lafayette, but friendlier and more casual.
Pros:
• Central, lively location.
• Good mix of affordable and mid-range shops.
• Easy to combine shopping with dining or drinks.
Cons:
• Smaller selection of luxury goods.
• Can feel noisy, as it’s in the city’s busiest square.
- Centre Commercial Cité Europe (Excursion from Reims)
Location: 1001 Boulevard du Kent, 62700 Coquelles (near Calais, about 1h30 drive from Reims)
Yes, I made the trek to Cité Europe because fellow travelers had told me it was worth it if I wanted variety—and they were right. Though technically not in Reims, I include it because many visitors, like me, combine Champagne country with trips north.
Cité Europe is a massive shopping mall, with everything from Carrefour hypermarket to H&M, Zara, and Decathlon. But what made this memorable for me was the Carrefour wine and champagne aisle—it was like entering a cathedral of bottles! I bought two bottles of Champagne Pommery Brut Royal for €27 each, far cheaper than the same bottles I’d seen in boutiques in Reims.
I also found great deals on French cheeses in vacuum packaging (perfect for travel). I packed away a wedge of Comté and some goat cheese, both around €6–€8.
Service: Busy and efficient. Not much personal attention, but that’s the nature of a giant mall.
Pros:
• Huge variety of products, including local specialties at supermarket prices.
• Excellent for bulk shopping.
Cons:
• Far from Reims (need a car).
• Lacks charm of smaller local stores.
- Marques Avenue Troyes (Outlet Shopping)
Location: 114 Boulevard de Dijon, 10800 Saint-Julien-les-Villas (about 1 hour drive from Reims)
As someone who can’t resist an outlet, I had to try Marques Avenue Troyes, one of France’s oldest outlet centers. It’s not technically in Reims, but again—it’s a popular excursion for locals and visitors alike.
Here, I scored a Lacoste polo shirt for €45 (down from €90) and a Le Creuset small casserole dish for €89 instead of €130. While not traditional souvenirs, these purchases reminded me of Champagne country’s connection to refined taste and lifestyle.
Service: Staff were approachable and eager to explain promotions.
Pros:
• Big discounts on French brands.
• Wide range of fashion and home goods.
Cons:
• Requires transportation outside Reims.
• More about bargains than local flavor.
Traditional Markets for Souvenirs
After indulging in modern centers, I longed for something more authentic. That’s when I turned to traditional markets, which offered not just goods but atmosphere, smells, and stories.
- Marché du Boulingrin
Location: Rue de Mars, 51100 Reims
My Experience:
This is the market of Reims—housed in a beautiful Art Deco building that made me pause just to admire its architecture before heading inside.
Here, shopping felt like theater. Vendors shouting out prices, the smell of freshly baked baguettes mixing with ripe cheese, and tables overflowing with vegetables, flowers, and charcuterie.
I bought:
• A jar of Champagne mustard (€5.50).
• A wedge of local Langres cheese (€6).
• A small bouquet of dried lavender (€8), perfect for keeping my suitcase fragrant.
Service: Warm, personal, and conversational. Vendors loved to share stories behind their goods.
Pros:
• Authentic experience.
• Affordable local specialties.
• Chance to interact with locals.
Cons:
• Cash is king—few stalls accept cards.
• Can be crowded on Saturdays. - Marché des Halles du Boulingrin (Smaller Stalls Around the Same Area)
Right outside the main Boulingrin building, I found smaller stalls and pop-up vendors. These are often where artisans sell handmade goods—like soap, candles, or textiles.
I picked up a bar of handmade Champagne soap (€7), beautifully wrapped and infused with grape seed oil. It was lightweight, fragrant, and unique—exactly the kind of souvenir I love.
Pros:
• Quirky, one-of-a-kind finds.
• Supports small artisans.
Cons:
• Limited stock; items can sell out fast.
Souvenir shopping in Reims was not just about collecting items to pack in my suitcase; it was about immersing myself in the essence of Champagne country. Each purchase I made—whether from the polished aisles of Galeries Lafayette or the bustling stalls of Marché du Boulingrin—carried a story, a face, a conversation, and a memory.
I realized that shopping in Reims is an adventure with two contrasting sides: the modern, international face of sleek malls and outlet centers, and the authentic, artisanal soul found in local markets and family-owned stalls. The beauty of this city is that you don’t have to choose—you can experience both within the same trip. One morning, I was sampling Langres cheese from a smiling vendor who wrapped it lovingly in paper, and by the afternoon, I was standing under soft lighting in Galeries Lafayette, debating between a silk scarf and a box of champagne truffles.
If you are like me—someone who values both the glamour of shopping and the intimacy of cultural encounters—then Reims will spoil you. You can bring home something elegant for your wardrobe, something delicious for your kitchen, and something sentimental for your heart.
One thing I would emphasize to fellow travelers: don’t rush the experience. Souvenir shopping in Reims is best done slowly, with pauses for a coffee at Place D’Erlon, or a chat with a local vendor at Boulingrin. Take time to notice the details—the packaging of biscuits roses, the sparkle of champagne bottles under supermarket lights, the scent of lavender soap at a humble stall. These little observations are as valuable as the souvenirs themselves.
And perhaps the most important takeaway: souvenirs are not about things, but about feelings. Every time I uncork a bottle I bought in Reims, or catch a whiff of the lavender sachet I tucked into my dresser, I’m instantly transported back to those cobbled streets, the golden glow of cathedral stone at sunset, and the joy of discovering something uniquely French.
So if you’re planning a trip to Reims, go with an open mind and an empty bag—you’ll leave with both full of treasures. Some will be tangible: scarves, soaps, bottles, biscuits. Others will be intangible: the laughter of a market vendor, the sparkle in your eye when you find the perfect gift, and the memory of a city that knows how to balance elegance with authenticity.
Reims gave me souvenirs, yes. But more importantly, it gave me stories. And those, I will carry with me forever.
