Reims: Champagne Capital and Coronation Site of Kings
Introduction: Where Bubbles Meet Bloodlines
Imagine sipping a golden flute of champagne while standing in the shadows of a Gothic cathedral where French kings were crowned for over a thousand years. The bubbles rise like whispered secrets through centuries of ceremony, war, faith, and glory. This is Reims—where every glass tells a story, and every stone holds a legacy.
Most travelers know Paris as France’s epicenter of elegance, but those who venture northeast to Reims are rewarded with a different kind of majesty—one that fuses royalty, religion, revolution, and Riesling. Nestled in the heart of the Champagne region, Reims (pronounced “Rance” with a subtle French flair) is more than a wine lover’s paradise. It’s where history sparkles as brightly as the vintages aging in chalk cellars below the surface.
In one moment, you might be touring the vaults of Maison Veuve Clicquot. In the next, you’re gazing up at the stained glass windows of the Reims Cathedral—once the sacred site of nearly every French coronation from the 11th century onward. Few places in Europe offer such a powerful blend of cultural refinement and political drama.
For learners of French from places like San Francisco, Berkeley, Oakland, or San Jose, Reims offers more than a travel destination—it offers a living textbook. Every street invites you to speak, read, and listen in French. Every bottle, building, and baguette whispers vocabulary and context.
In this article, we’ll dive into what makes Reims such a compelling city for travelers, historians, and French learners alike. We’ll explore its royal past, Champagne fame, architectural wonders, and local flavor, with tips for connecting your trip to your language-learning goals. And if you’re studying French at Polyglottist Language Academy, we’ll show you how Reims can become more than a stop on your journey—it can be a source of inspiration.
The City of Coronations: Reims and the Making of Kings
A Sacred Tradition
Reims became the coronation city of French kings in 816, starting with Louis the Pious. Over the next thousand years, nearly every monarch—from Charles VII (crowned with Joan of Arc at his side) to Louis XVI—was anointed within the hallowed halls of Reims Cathedral.
The cathedral itself, Notre-Dame de Reims, is a masterpiece of Gothic architecture. It echoes the grandeur of Notre-Dame in Paris but with its own character—more intimate, more austere, and arguably more influential in French history.
Joan of Arc’s Triumph
Reims is inseparable from the legacy of Joan of Arc. In 1429, she led Charles VII to the cathedral to be crowned, a symbolic reclaiming of French sovereignty during the Hundred Years’ War. Her story is deeply tied to Reims, and you’ll find statues, paintings, and public tributes throughout the city.
The Cathedral Today
Visitors can still walk the aisles where kings knelt and choirs sang. The stained glass, including modern works by Marc Chagall, captures centuries of spiritual and political evolution. For anyone learning French history—or French itself—this space is a living classroom.
Champagne Dreams: Reims as the Capital of Bubbles
The Champagne Houses
No visit to Reims is complete without exploring its world-famous Champagne houses: Veuve Clicquot, Taittinger, Ruinart, and Pommery, among others. These aren’t just wineries—they’re institutions.
Beneath the city lie miles of underground chalk cellars, called crayères, where millions of bottles age in perfect silence. Tours include guided tastings, vocabulary-rich explanations, and beautiful French phrases like prise de mousse (second fermentation).
Champagne and Language
Every step through a Champagne house is a linguistic journey. You’ll learn French terms for grape varieties, fermentation processes, and bottling techniques. It’s immersive, sensory, and very delicious French learning.
For students at Polyglottist Language Academy, we often suggest exploring Champagne-related vocabulary in class—and Reims offers the best setting to hear it in real life.
Architecture and Art: Reims Beyond the Cathedral
Roman Roots
Before it crowned kings, Reims was a Roman city. The Porte de Mars, a Roman triumphal arch, still stands proudly—reminding visitors that Reims has always been a gateway of power.
The Carnegie Library
Built after World War I with American funds, the Reims Carnegie Library is a gem of Art Deco architecture. It’s also a public library filled with French literature—a quiet place to study, reflect, and practice reading skills.
Street Art and Modern Galleries
While Reims honors the past, it embraces the present. Local artists paint murals that blend tradition and rebellion. Galleries throughout the city exhibit photography, sculpture, and mixed media by French and international artists.
Culinary Culture: From Cellars to Cafés
What to Eat in Reims
Biscuits Roses: Iconic pink biscuits, perfect for dipping in Champagne.
Jambon de Reims: A delicate ham cured with herbs and spices.
Local cheeses: Try Chaource or Langres with a glass of bubbly.
The French Dining Experience
Restaurants in Reims are ideal places to practice French. Menus are rich in regional vocabulary, and waitstaff are used to international visitors trying their best. Don’t be afraid to order in French—mistakes are part of the charm.
Farmers' Markets and Street Vendors
Reims has vibrant outdoor markets where locals buy produce, pastries, and flowers. These markets offer real-world listening and speaking opportunities for learners looking to use French naturally.
Reims Through a Language Learner’s Lens
Practical Vocabulary in Action
Whether you’re talking about wine (le vin), cathedrals (la cathédrale), or checking into a hotel (la réception), Reims gives you practical contexts for essential vocabulary.
Listening to Real French
Tours, signs, conversations—they’re all in French first, English second. This challenges learners to stretch their ears and try interpreting in real time.
A Confidence Builder
There’s something empowering about navigating a culturally rich, slightly less touristy city like Reims. It helps build confidence, especially for students from the Bay Area preparing for study abroad or business trips.
Visiting Reims from the Bay Area
Flights and Access
From San Francisco International Airport, you can reach Paris with a nonstop flight. Reims is just 45 minutes from Paris by TGV train, making it a perfect day trip or weekend getaway.
A Good Stop Between Paris and Strasbourg
If you're planning a language-focused tour through France, Reims is an excellent bridge between cosmopolitan Paris and bilingual Strasbourg.
For Wine Lovers and History Buffs Alike
Whether you’re more interested in sipping vintages or retracing Joan of Arc’s steps, Reims offers immersive, enriching experiences for all kinds of travelers.
Why Reims Belongs on Your French Learning Journey
At Polyglottist Language Academy, we believe the best way to learn a language is to live it. Reims brings French to life in every sip, step, and sentence. It’s one of the few cities where learners can connect history, cuisine, architecture, and language so seamlessly.
We encourage our students to not only study French, but to experience it in motion—through travel, culture, and conversation. Whether you’re planning a trip or dreaming of one, let Reims be on your list.
👉 Sign up for French classes now