Reims Christmas Market: Champagne, Lights & Festive Magic

Enchanting lights, festive aromas of vin chaud, and the sparkle of thousands of twinkling decorations welcome you to the Reims Christmas Market, one of the most beautiful Christmas markets in France. Nestled in the heart of the Champagne region, the historic city of Reims transforms into a winter wonderland every December. Whether you’re traveling for the holiday season or planning a unique wine and culture getaway, the Christmas market in Reims offers an unforgettable festive experience framed by Gothic architecture, world-renowned champagne houses in Reims, and rich Champagne heritage. Held annually in front of the iconic Reims Cathedral, the marché de Noël de Reims boasts over 150 wooden chalets selling everything from artisanal gifts to holiday delicacies like gingerbread and local Champagne. As the largest Christmas market in the Grand Est region, it draws over 1.5 million visitors each year, captivating hearts with its unique blend of tradition, gastronomy, and elegance.

What to Do at Reims Christmas Market

Marvel at the Christmas Market at Reims Cathedral

The Reims Christmas Market takes place on the forecourt of the cathedral, offering a majestic setting with the towering Reims Cathedral, a UNESCO World Heritage masterpiece of Gothic architecture, as the backdrop. Among the best things to do in Reims during the festive season, exploring over 150 festive chalets that line the cobbled lanes ranks at the top, offering handcrafted souvenirs, local delicacies, and artisanal gifts. Stop by the traditional nativity scene, sip on a glass of Champagne from nearby champagne houses, and watch families enjoy fairground attractions and game stalls. This is where the heart of Christmas in Reims beats the loudest.

Experience the light show on the Cathedral façade

Don’t miss the immersive sound and light show projected onto the façade of Reims Cathedral, a breathtaking nightly illumination that tells the story of the French kings crowned here over centuries. Running throughout the Christmas market period, this spectacular display blends Gothic architecture with cutting-edge visual storytelling, creating one of the most magical Christmas experiences in France. The show typically runs every evening and is completely free to attend, making it an essential stop on any Reims Christmas market visit.

Ride the iconic Ferris wheel for a breathtaking view

For panoramic views over the festive city, hop aboard the majestic Grande Roue (Ferris wheel) located near Place d’Erlon, one of the best things to do in Reims during the Christmas season. Whether you ride at twilight or under the stars, this towering attraction offers breathtaking views of Reims Cathedral, the illuminated Christmas market, and the city sparkling with festive lights and decorations. Perfect for families and couples alike, the Ferris wheel ride is a romantic highlight and an essential photo opportunity during your Reims Christmas market visit.

Walk to Place d’Erlon for Christmas vibes

After your ride on the Grande Roue, you’ll find yourself perfectly positioned to explore Place d’Erlon, Reims’ lively central square that transforms into a bustling festive hub during the Christmas season. Just steps away from the Ferris wheel, this iconic pedestrian avenue features its own sparkling Christmas tree, additional chalet stalls offering unique gift ideas and artisanal products, and pop-up Champagne tasting bars where you can sample wines from local Champagne houses in Reims. With its Belle Époque architecture, vibrant café terraces, and festive atmosphere, Place d’Erlon is the perfect spot to warm up with a glass of bubbly between exploring the Christmas markets, making it one of the best things to do in Reims during the holiday season.

Explore the Christmas and Kings Fair

The Christmas and Kings Fair is a traditional market extension that stretches into January, making it a great attraction for those visiting closer to Christmas Eve or the New Year. This festive spot includes thrill rides, cabin food stands, and winter surprises perfect for families exploring Reims during the holiday season. Don’t forget to try sweet regional specialties like galette des rois and pick up delicious delicacies to take home as souvenirs from your visit to the Reims Christmas markets.

Visit famous Champagne Houses

No trip to Reims during the Christmas season is complete without exploring its world-famous champagne houses. The city is home to some of the most prestigious champagne producers in the world, including Veuve Clicquot, Taittinger, and Pommery. These historic cellars welcome visitors year-round with tours where you can descend into ancient chalk caves, learn about the champagne-making process, and enjoy tastings of their finest cuvées. It’s the perfect way to warm up after wandering the Christmas market and experience the luxury that makes the Champagne region so renowned.

Champagne Mumm

Founded in 1827, Champagne Mumm is one of Reims’ most iconic champagne houses, instantly recognizable by its distinctive red ribbon, the Cordon Rouge. Located on the prestigious Avenue de Champagne, Mumm welcomes visitors into its historic cellars, where over 25 million bottles rest in perfect aging conditions. The guided tours take you through the traditional méthode champenoise process, from vine to bottle, culminating in a tasting of their celebrated cuvées. The house’s commitment to excellence has made Mumm a favorite at prestigious events worldwide, and visiting their cellars offers an authentic glimpse into champagne craftsmanship at its finest.

Le 3 par Champagne Thiénot

Le 3 is the contemporary tasting lounge created by Champagne Thiénot, offering a modern twist on traditional champagne experiences in the heart of Reims. This elegant space combines the heritage of the Thiénot family, champagne producers since 1985, with a fresh, accessible approach to discovering fine champagnes. Visitors can enjoy guided tastings that explore different champagne styles, learning about terroir, grape varieties, and blending techniques in a relaxed, sophisticated atmosphere.

Champagne Pol Couronne

Champagne Pol Couronne represents authentic, family-run champagne production in Reims. This boutique house offers an intimate, personal experience quite different from the grand maisons. During visits, you’ll meet the passionate producers themselves, who guide you through their cellars and share the stories behind their craft. The smaller scale allows for detailed explanations of every step in the champagne-making process, from harvest to disgorgement.

Champagne G.H. Martel & Co

Founded in 1869, Champagne G.H. Martel & Co is one of Reims’ historic champagne houses with a rich heritage spanning over 150 years. The house is known for its traditional approach to champagne making and its impressive underground cellars carved into the region’s famous chalk caves. Visitors to G.H. Martel experience the timeless atmosphere of 19th-century champagne production while learning about modern techniques that ensure consistent quality. The tours showcase the house’s extensive cellars where champagne ages in optimal conditions, and tastings allow guests to appreciate the refined character of their various cuvées, each reflecting generations of expertise.

Champagne Taittinger

Champagne Taittinger is one of the last great champagne houses to remain family-owned and managed, maintaining independence since 1932. Their cellars are among the most spectacular in Reims, located in the ancient Gallo-Roman chalk quarries and the crypts of the 13th-century Abbey of Saint-Nicaise. Descending into these historic cellars, some of the oldest and deepest in Champagne, is like stepping back through layers of history. The tours beautifully combine archaeology, history, and winemaking expertise, showcasing how Taittinger’s distinctive style emphasizes elegance and finesse.

Champagne Ruinart

Established in 1729, Champagne Ruinart holds the distinction of being the oldest champagne house in the world. The maison’s cellars, classified as UNESCO World Heritage sites, are architectural marvels, cathedral-like crayères (chalk pits) carved 38 meters underground. These stunning subterranean galleries maintain perfect temperature and humidity for aging champagne and create an almost mystical atmosphere for visitors. Ruinart is renowned for its focus on Chardonnay, producing elegant, refined champagnes that express purity and finesse. The visit combines breathtaking architecture with champagne excellence, offering one of the most memorable cellar experiences in Reims.

Champagne Vranken-Pommery

Champagne Vranken-Pommery is a spectacular estate combining champagne production with art and architecture. The Elizabethan-style château and its remarkable cellars, 30 kilometers of galleries carved into chalk 30 meters below ground, create one of Reims’ most impressive visitor experiences. Pommery pioneered the Brut style of champagne in the 19th century, revolutionizing the industry. Today, the house continues its innovative spirit by hosting contemporary art exhibitions throughout the cellars, creating a unique fusion of champagne heritage and modern creativity. The tours offer both champagne education and cultural enrichment, making Pommery a must-visit if you are seeking something beyond traditional cellar visits.

Champagne Veuve Clicquot

Champagne Veuve Clicquot is one of the most prestigious names in champagne, with a fascinating history led by Madame Clicquot, the legendary “Grande Dame of Champagne” who revolutionized the industry in the early 19th century. She invented the riddling table technique still used today to clarify champagne. The iconic yellow-labeled bottles are recognized worldwide, and visiting the Veuve Clicquot cellars in Reims offers insight into this remarkable heritage. The tours through the extensive chalk cellars showcase both historical innovations and modern champagne-making techniques, while tastings highlight the house’s signature style, bold, structured champagnes with remarkable aging potential.

What are the best things to do around Reims?

Explore the Wine Route

Just a 30-minute drive from the Reims Christmas Market, the Champagne Route is a must-see destination if you’re passionate about champagne. This scenic route stretches from Reims to Épernay, winding through charming villages like Rilly-la-Montagne and Verzenay, where you can enjoy tastings of local champagne in picturesque settings. Don’t miss the vineyard panoramas offering breathtaking views over the rolling hills and historic villages below. Many stops along the route offer guided tours of traditional cellars and family-run champagne houses, making it an ideal day trip to complement your festive Christmas market experience.

Visit the sparkling city of Épernay

About 40 minutes from Reims by car, Épernay is known as the capital of the Champagne region and home to the famous Avenue de Champagne. This charming town offers some of the best things to do in Épernay, from strolling among historic wine mansions to discovering world-class Épernay champagne houses like Moët & Chandon and Mercier. During your visit, you can explore underground cellars and enjoy premium tastings in elegant settings. If you’re planning a trip to explore beyond the center of Reims, Épernay is a logical next step to sparkle your experience with a glass of bubbly. This lovely town is festive during December as well, with occasional holiday illumination displays that rival those in the city of Reims.

Wander the cobblestones of Hautvillers

Located south of Reims, the hilltop village of Hautvillers is often called the “Cradle of Champagne” which is a fancy way of saying this is where the magic happened. It’s here that Dom Pérignon, a Benedictine monk, basically figured out how to trap bubbles in a bottle (and thank goodness he did). Wander the quaint streets lined with wrought-iron signs, peek into artisan shops, and pretend you’re in a French postcard come to life. The stone houses and wooden chalets look especially charming when there’s a nip in the air. Grab a glass of vin chaud, snag a buttery pastry, and congratulate yourself on making excellent life choices.

A unique urban wine experience in Hermonville

Located in Hermonville, Calomène & Palobec offers a distinctive urban wine adventure led by passionate founders Laure and Fabrice. This innovative venue combines wine tasting, creative workshops, and hands-on experiences where visitors can learn to blend their own wines. Perfect for enthusiasts and curious newcomers alike, it provides a warm, welcoming atmosphere, immersive learning, and a chance to explore the artistry behind Champagne in a vibrant city setting.

Visit Troyes

A visit to Troyes reveals one of Champagne’s most beautiful cities and best-kept secrets. This medieval gem captivates visitors with its colorful half-timbered houses, narrow cobblestone streets, and stunning Gothic churches adorned with world-class stained glass. When you visit Troyes, you’ll discover authentic French charm without the crowds, perfect for leisurely strolls through boutique-lined alleys, sampling traditional Champenois cuisine in cozy bistros, and soaking in centuries of history. Our comprehensive travel guides help you uncover hidden corners and local favorites that make every visit unforgettable. Whether you’re exploring the champagne-cork-shaped historic center or wandering through charming squares, this beautiful city offers an authentic Champagne experience beyond the vineyards.

Dive into our latest guide and discover the top things to do in Troyes!

Good to Know before visiting Reims Christmas Market