Reims

The 10 Best Day Trips from Paris (Updated 2025)

"About 140 kilometers from Paris, I found Reims to be a small city with deep historical significance—from Roman-era growth to the Cathédrale Notre-Dame de Reims, where many French kings were crowned; the Gothic cathedral’s twin towers and UNESCO status (1991) are particularly striking. The city also bears reminders of World War I (fortifications such as Fort de la Pompelle), and today it’s a major center of champagne production—my favorite ways to experience it are an e-bike tour of the vineyards or a small-group tasting tour. You can reach Reims by car via the A4 or by train from Gare de l’Est (50–90 minutes; advance tickets ~13–18 EUR, last-minute fares can be 40–50 EUR), and guided cathedral admission is about 9 EUR." - Matthew Kepnes